Many Oregonians May Already Be Volunteering In Ways That Could Help Them Meet SNAP Work Or Activity Rules - 07/21/26
Media resources
Instead of conducting individual interviews for this announcement, ODHS will host a virtual media availability on Tuesday, July 21, from 2 to 2:20 p.m. Members of the media will have an opportunity to ask questions about SNAP work or activity rules, volunteering and available supports. You may join the event using this Teams link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/216549316424242?p=6xpmIxQS2Az27JblWp
A recording of the media availability will be available after the event for media unable to attend live: https://vimeo.com/showcase/12330638
A Spanish-language video summarizing this news release is available on Vimeo. Spanish-language media may request interviews or submit questions in Spanish by contacting ODHS Bilingual Communications Officer Adriana Taylor.
Salem, OR. —Helping in a community garden. Volunteering at a food pantry. Assisting in a child's classroom. Many Oregonians may already be volunteering in ways that could help them meet federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) work and activity rules.
The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) is encouraging anyone who has questions about SNAP work or activity rules to contact the agency to discuss options. Depending on a person's circumstances, volunteer activities may help them meet work requirements while giving back to their communities, building skills and confidence that may support future employment, and strengthening local communities.
How volunteering may help
Ways people might volunteer include, but are not limited to:
- Helping in a community or school garden
- Helping in a classroom or school library
- Volunteering at a food pantry or community meal site
- Helping at an animal shelter
- Assisting at a senior center or community center
- Supporting nonprofit organizations through office, event or maintenance work
- Participating in community service projects
- Coaching youth sports or helping with after-school programs
- Organizing or staffing community events such as festivals, charity runs, or cultural celebrations
- Helping at local parks with clean‑ups, trail maintenance, or habitat restoration
- Mentoring or tutoring students
What to do if you have questions
Contact ODHS if you’re volunteering and would like to learn how your volunteer hours can count for SNAP. ODHS staff can explain how to document your hours.
You may also learn more about how volunteering counts toward SNAP work and activity rules, documenting volunteer hours and submitting proof to ODHS at Oregon.gov/snapworkrules or Oregon.gov/snapnormastrabajo.
"Many people are already giving back to their communities and growing their skills, but don't realize those same activities may also help them meet SNAP work or activity rules," said Jessica Amaya Hoffman, ODHS SNAP Director. "Volunteering can be a meaningful way to serve your community while building skills and experience that may open doors to future employment. The most important thing people can do is contact us. We'll help them understand their options."
Every person's situation is different. Some people may qualify for an exemption from SNAP work or activity rules, while others may already be meeting the requirements through work, education, training or volunteer activities.
People who think they may qualify for an exemption or want to report volunteer hours or other work activities can complete the Report of Exemptions, Paid or Unpaid Work, or Good Cause form. The form can help identify whether someone may qualify for an exemption and report volunteer hours or other work activities to ODHS. The form is available in English and Spanish.
People may choose volunteer opportunities in their communities that fit their interests and schedule. ODHS does not match people with volunteer opportunities, but staff can explain how volunteer activities count toward SNAP work or activity rules. Many communities have websites or social media groups that collect and post local volunteer opportunities.
About SNAP work or activity rules
As of July 2025, federal changes expanded SNAP work or activity rules, increasing the number of Oregonians who need to meet these requirements to continue receiving food benefits. Adults ages 18 to 64 without a child under age 14 in their SNAP household are required to complete 80 hours of work or volunteering each month unless they qualify for an exemption or live in a waived area. (More information about exemptions and waived areas can be found at Oregon.gov/snapworkrules.) For each month these hours are not met, a counting month notice is sent out. ODHS encourages anyone who receives a SNAP counting month notice to reach out to the work or activity rules team (ABAWD Team) at 1-833-947-1694 or SNAP.ABAWDTeam@odhsoha.oregon.gov.
How ODHS can help
People who contact ODHS may:
- Review the list of exemptions and explore if any apply to them.
- Complete the Report of Exemptions, Paid or Unpaid Work, or Good Cause form to report volunteer hours, work activities or possible exemptions. This form is available in English, Spanish, and several other languages.
- Let ODHS know they are volunteering and provide proof of any volunteer activities they already participate in.
- Learn how to document volunteer hours and submit proof to ODHS. SNAP participants are responsible for submitting proof of their volunteer hours.
- Be connected with WorkSource Oregon and other employment and training resources.
Learn more
For more information about SNAP work or activity rules and exemptions:
- English: Oregon.gov/snapworkrules
- Spanish: Oregon.gov/snapnormastrabajo
ODHS ABAWD Team:
- Call: 1-833-947-1694
- Phone hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific Time.
- Relay calls are accepted, and language interpreters are available.
- Email: SNAP.ABAWDTeam@odhsoha.oregon.gov