OAR 461-165-0060: Minimum Benefit Amount; REF, SNAP, TANF

(1) In the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): (a) A benefit group (see OAR 461-110-0750) is not eligible for benefits in the initial month (see OAR 461-001-0000) if the allotment is less than $10. (b) Except as provided otherwise in section (1) of this rule and in OAR 461-160-0070, minimum benefits are determined as follows: (A) An eligible benefit group of one or two persons receives a minimum monthly allotment of $24 for an ongoing month (see OAR 461-001-0000) and a proration of $24 when OAR 461-160-0070 applies. The minimum monthly allotment is a calculation of eight percent of the Thrifty Food Plan (TFP) (see OAR 461-155-0190), rounded to the nearest whole dollar, for one person as determined annually by Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). (B) An eligible benefit group of three or more persons receives the monthly calculated benefit, except that a group whose calculated benefit is $1, $3, or $5 receives instead an allotment of $2, $4, or $6 respectively. A benefit group in a categorically eligible filing group may be eligible for zero benefits ($0) for the certification period (see OAR 461-001-0000). (2) In the Refugee Assistance (REF) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs, except as provided in section (3) of this rule, benefits are not issued if the monthly benefit is less than $10. Individuals who do not receive a cash payment because the monthly benefit is less than $10 may be eligible for medical benefits. (3) The $10 requirement in section (2) of this rule does not apply to any of the following: (a) Special payments, such as one-time special needs, emergency assistance, supplements, or a benefit reduced from $10 or more to under $10 due to the recovery of an overpayment. (b) Dual payee payments made in money management cases if the monthly benefit amount is $10 or more. (c) Wage supplements issued to Job Opportunity and Basic Skills (JOBS) Plus participants.