ODHS Extends SNAP Replacement Deadline for Baker County

The Oregon Department of Human Services updated its emergency assistance list this week to include nine additional counties, among them Baker County, making more households eligible for an extended window to replace food purchased with SNAP benefits that spoiled or was lost during the power outages on December 17, 2025. Wallowa County remained on the original list of eligible counties.

Under normal circumstances, SNAP recipients have ten days to report lost food and request replacement benefits. The agency's action extends that period through January 16, giving affected families and individuals in Baker County an additional opportunity to secure benefits to replace perishable items lost when refrigeration failed during the statewide outages.

For local residents who used SNAP to purchase food and experienced losses during the December 17 outages, the change means more time to document and report those losses to the state. Households that miss the standard ten-day reporting window can now submit claims up to the January 16 deadline and be considered for replacement benefits. The decision affects households across multiple counties and is intended to address disruptions tied to the outages.

The extension carries practical consequences for food security and county-level service providers. Local families facing tight budgets and limited food reserves may rely on replacement SNAP benefits to bridge shortfalls caused by spoiled groceries. County human services offices and nonprofit partners that assist residents with benefits navigation may see increased demand as more households move to report losses under the extended timeframe.

The update also underscores the role of state agencies in adjusting program rules after emergencies to reflect on-the-ground conditions. Extending the reporting period alters the administrative timeline for both recipients and county staff who process replacement requests, potentially increasing workload in the short term but helping to prevent longer-term food insecurity for affected households.

Baker County residents who lost food purchased with SNAP benefits during the December 17 power outages should report those losses and request replacement benefits before the January 16 deadline. Contact information and instructions for filing a claim are available through the Oregon Department of Human Services. Acting before the cutoff will help ensure eligible households receive the replacement assistance intended to offset food losses from the outages.