461-196-0000
General Purpose and Scope; SEBT

Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (SEBT) program is established for the purpose of providing nutrition assistance during the summer months for each eligible child, to ensure continued access to food when school is not in session for the summer.

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 411.060
Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 411.060
History:
SSP 58-2024, adopt filed 11/27/2024, effective 12/01/2024
SSP 40-2024, temporary adopt filed 06/18/2024, effective 06/18/2024 through 12/14/2024

461-196-0010
Administration; SEBT

Summer EBT (SEBT) is administered through a partnership between the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) and Oregon Department of Education (ODE). Roles and responsibilities of both agencies are clarified as follows:

(1) Coordinating SEBT agency.

(a) For the purposes of the SEBT program ODHS will act as the coordinating agency.

(b) The coordinating agency is the primary point of contact for the SEBT program within the State.

(c) The coordinating agency is responsible for completion and timely submission of any required plans, forms and reports as well as responsible for activities outlined in the inter-agency agreement with the partnering agency.

(2) Partnering SEBT agency.

(a) For the purposes of the SEBT program ODE will act as the partnering agency.

(b) The partnering agency is responsible for activities outlined in the inter-agency agreement.

(c) The partnering agency is responsible for the effective and efficient administration of the program.  

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 411.060
Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 411.060
History:
SSP 58-2024, adopt filed 11/27/2024, effective 12/01/2024
SSP 40-2024, temporary adopt filed 06/18/2024, effective 06/18/2024 through 12/14/2024

461-196-0020
Definitions; Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (SEBT)

The following definitions apply to the rules of the Summer EBT (SEBT) program in Chapter 461.

(1) Adult means an individual 18 years of age or older.

(2) Benefit means the value of SEBT provided to a filing group by means of an EBT system.

(3) Categorically eligible means considered eligible for SEBT, as applicable, based on documentation that a child is a member of a filing group, as defined in this rule, and one or more children in that filing group are receiving assistance under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Medicaid or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR). A foster child, homeless child, migrant child, Head Start child or runaway child, as defined in this rule is also categorically eligible. Categorically eligible and streamlined eligibility may be used synonymously.

(4) Department refers to the SEBT Agency.

(5) Direct verification means the process of verifying the filing group’s income or categorial eligibility by matching against data sources or other records without the need to contact the filing group for documentation.

(6) Dual participation means a child simultaneously receiving benefits from more than one SEBT Program administered by a State, US Territory or Tribal Lands; receiving SEBT in more than one household; or receiving multiple allotments from the same State administered SEBT Program.

(7) Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) account means a set of records containing demographic, card, benefit, transaction, and balance data for an individual household within the EBT system that is maintained and managed by the Department or its contractor as part of the client case record.

(8) Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card means a method to access EBT benefits issued to a household member or authorized representative through the EBT system by a benefit issuer. This method may include an on-line magnetic stripe card, an off-line smart card, a chip card, a contactless digital wallet with a stored card, or any other similar benefit access technology approved by FNS.

(9) Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) contractor or vendor means an entity that is selected to perform EBT–related services for the State agency.

(10) Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) system means an electronic payments system under which household benefits are issued from and stored in a central databank, maintained, and managed by a State or its contractor, and uses electronic funds transfer technology for the delivery and control of food and other public assistance benefits.

(11) Eligible child(ren) means a child who meets the requirements to receive SEBT benefits as provided in OAR 461-196-0060.

(12) Eligible household means a household that includes at least one eligible child.

(13) Eligibility period means the period of time from the first day of instructional year, as defined in this rule, immediately preceding the summer operational period, as defined in this rule, through the last day of the summer operational period.

(14) Enrolled students means students who are enrolled in and attending a school participating in the USDA National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and who have access to a meal service (breakfast or lunch) on a regular basis.

(15) Expungement means the removal of SEBT benefits from the EBT account to which they were issued, typically by an EBT processor on behalf of the Department.

(16) FDPIR means the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations.

(17) Filing group means a group of related or nonrelated individuals who are living together as one economic unit.

(18) FNS means the Food and Nutrition Service, United States Department of Agriculture.

(19) Foster child means a child who is formally placed by a court or an agency that administers a State plan under parts B or E of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 621 et seq.).

(20) Free or reduced-price meal eligible means a student which is determined by the school as eligible to receive free or reduced-price National School Lunch Program.

(21) Head Start child means a child enrolled as a participant in a Head Start program authorized under the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.)

(22) Homeless child means a child identified as lacking a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence, as specified under section 725(a) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11434a(2)) by the local educational agency liaison, director of a homeless shelter, or other individual identified by FNS.

(23) Instructional year means the period from July 1 of the prior year through one day prior to the summer operational period.

(24) Medicaid means medical assistance under title XIX of the Social Security Act, as amended. For the purposes for SEBT eligibility, this applies only to individuals eligible under 185% of the federal poverty level.

(25) Migrant child means a child identified as meeting the definition of migrant in section 1309 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6399) by the State or local Migrant Education Program coordinator, the local educational liaison, or other individual identified by FNS.

(26) NSLP/SBP means the National School Lunch Program established under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.) and the School Breakfast Program established under the Child Nutrition Act of 1996 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq.). 

(27) NSLP/SBP application means an application for free and reduced-price meals, submitted by a household for a child or children enrolled at an NSLP/SBP participating school(s). Eligibility determinations based on NSLP/SBP applications may be used to confer eligibility for SEBT.

(28) NSLP school means an Oregon public school, nonprofit private school, or residential childcare institution that is a sponsor of the National School Lunch Program.

(29) NSLP student means an individual enrolled in an Oregon public school, nonprofit private school, or residential childcare institution that provides meal service as a sponsored National School Lunch Program school.

(30) ODE means the Oregon Department of Education.

(31) ODHS means the Oregon Department of Human Services.

(32) Runaway child means a child identified as a runaway receiving assistance under a program under the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 5701 et seq.) by the local educational liaison or other individual in accordance with guidance issued by FNS.

(33) School aged means the years in which a child is required to attend school or an equivalent program as defined by State or Tribal law. Also known as the age requirement for compulsory education, which is defined as six (6) to eighteen (18) years old in Oregon.

(34) SEBT means Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer.

(35) Signature means a person's name written in a distinctive way as a form of identification. For the purposes of SEBT the following signatures are acceptable: hand-written, telephonic, and electronic signature including a typed signature.

(36) SNAP means Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which is a Federal food benefits program for low-income individuals to supplement their grocery budget.

(37) SNAP participant means an individual who is a member of a SNAP filing group (see OAR 461-110-0370) that receives more than $0 in SNAP benefits.

(38) Streamlined certification means automatically enrolling an eligible child for SEBT without need for further application or confirmation of school enrollment. Streamlined certification and categorically eligible may be used synonymously.

(39) Summer EBT agency means the Oregon Department of Human Services.

(40) Summer EBT application means an application for SEBT benefits submitted to the Department by a filing group for a child or children who are enrolled at a NSLP/SBP participating school.

(41) Summer operational period means the benefit period that generally reflects the period between the end of classes during the current school year and the start of classes for the next school year, as determined by the Department.

(42) TANF means Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, which is the State funded program under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act.

(43) USDA means United States Department of Agriculture. 

(44) Verification means confirmation of eligibility for the Summer EBT Program when a child's eligibility is established through a Summer EBT application. Verification includes confirmation of income eligibility and may also include confirmation of any other information required in the application.

(45) Verification for cause means verification of questionable applications, on a case-by-case basis, such as an instance when the Department is made aware of conflicting or inconsistent information than what was provided on the application.
 

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 411.060
Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 411.060
History:
SSP 27-2025, amend filed 12/23/2025, effective 01/01/2026
SSP 58-2024, adopt filed 11/27/2024, effective 12/01/2024
SSP 40-2024, temporary adopt filed 06/18/2024, effective 06/18/2024 through 12/14/2024

461-196-0030
Authorized Representative; SEBT

For the purposes of the Summer EBT (SEBT) program, the Department (see OAR 461-196-0020) adopts the general Authorized Representative rule provisions of 461-115-0090.

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 411.060
Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 411.060
History:
SSP 58-2024, adopt filed 11/27/2024, effective 12/01/2024
SSP 40-2024, temporary adopt filed 06/18/2024, effective 06/18/2024 through 12/14/2024

461-196-0040
Application; SEBT

(1) An application for Summer EBT (SEBT) is considered complete if the following information is provided:

(a) Full name(s) of child(ren) and other filing group (see OAR 461-196-0020) members;

(b) Name of school(s) where the child(ren) attend;

(c) Mailing address;

(d) Amount, source, and frequency of income for each filing group member; and

(e) Signature of an adult filing group member.

(2) Applications for SEBT must be received by the Department (see OAR 461-196-0020) by:

(a) The last day of the summer operational period (see OAR 461-196-0020 and 461-196-0060); or

(b) The deadline permitted by the USDA Food and Nutrition Services.

(3) Children who qualify for streamlined certification (see OAR 461-196-0020 and 461-196-0060) do not need to submit an application.  

(4) If an adult (see OAR 461-196-0020) applicant in the filing group is ineligible to receive SEBT benefits for a qualifying child due to serving an intentional program violation (see OAR 461-195-0601) disqualification:

(a) An authorized representative may represent a SEBT applicant or participant, or

(b) The Department will work with the filing group to identify another adult to send the EBT card and benefits to for that child.
 

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 411.060
Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 411.060
History:
SSP 27-2025, amend filed 12/23/2025, effective 01/01/2026
SSP 58-2024, adopt filed 11/27/2024, effective 12/01/2024
SSP 40-2024, temporary adopt filed 06/18/2024, effective 06/18/2024 through 12/14/2024

461-196-0050
Benefit Amount, Access, and Use; SEBT

(1) The Summer EBT (SEBT) benefit will be $120 per each eligible child (see OAR 461-196-0020) for the summer operational period (see OAR 461-196-0020 and 461-196-0060).  

(2) Eligible children who are part of a filing group (see OAR 461-196-0020) with an active EBT card associated with a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) case, will receive benefits on the same EBT card.  

(3) Eligible children who are not part of a filing group with an active EBT card associated with a SNAP or TANF case will receive a separate EBT card for their SEBT benefits.

(4) SEBT benefits are not prorated.

(5) The Department (see OAR 461-196-0020) considers benefits available when the SEBT benefits have been issued on an EBT account.

(6) Unused benefits are expunged (see OAR 461-196-0020) 122 days after the date of issuance. 

(7) Expunged benefits will not be restored.

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 411.060
Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 411.060
History:
SSP 27-2025, amend filed 12/23/2025, effective 01/01/2026
SSP 58-2024, adopt filed 11/27/2024, effective 12/01/2024
SSP 40-2024, temporary adopt filed 06/18/2024, effective 06/18/2024 through 12/14/2024

461-196-0060
Eligibility; SEBT

(1) For the purposes of Summer EBT (SEBT), categorically eligible (see OAR 461-196-0020) is used synonymously with streamlined certification (see OAR 461-196-0020). Streamlined certification is determined using the most recent instance in which an eligible child (see 196-0020) meets any of the following qualifying factors. If an eligible child meets more than one of the listed qualifying factors at the same time, streamlined certification will be determined based on the first factor that is met, in descending order from (a) through (g).

(a) Receiving foster or resource care through Child Welfare.

(b) Part of a filing group (see OAR 461-196-0020) that receives Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).

(c) Part of a filing group that receives Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) with benefits greater than $0.

(d) Receiving Medicaid (Oregon Health Plan) with countable income under 185 percent of the federal poverty level.

(e) Attending a Head Start program which participates in the National School Lunch Program/School Breakfast Program (NSLP/SBP) (see OAR 461-196-0020).

(f) Receiving Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) (see OAR 461-196-0020).

(g) Migrant, homeless, or runaway as defined by the student’s school.

(2) Children eligible for SEBT include those who, at any time during the eligibility period (see OAR 461-196-0020) are:

(a) School-aged (see OAR 461-196-0020) and categorically eligible.

(b) Enrolled in an NSLP/SBP participating school during the instructional year immediately preceding the summer operational period and:

(A) Categorically eligible; 

(B) Certified to receive free or reduced-price school meals through an NSLP/SBP participating school; 

(C) Otherwise determined eligible to receive a free or reduced-price meal; or

(D) Determined eligible through a Summer EBT (SEBT) application (see OAR 461-196-0020) with the filing group’s total countable income below 185% of the federal poverty level (see OAR 461-196-0120) on the date the completed application is received.

(3) Eligibility for SEBT is established from the first day of the instructional year (see OAR 461-196-0020) immediately preceding the summer operational period (see OAR 461-196-0020) through the last day of the summer operational period.

(4) For the 2025 program period:

(a) The summer operational period is May 30, 2025, through September 3, 2025.

(b) The instructional year is July 1, 2024, to May 29, 2025.

(c) The eligibility period is July 1, 2024, through September 3, 2025.

(5) For the 2026 program period:

(a) The summer operational period is June 5, 2026, through September 1, 2026.

(b) The instructional year is July 1, 2025, through June 4, 2026.

(c) The eligibility period is July 1, 2025, through September 1, 2026.

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 411.060
Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 411.060
History:
SSP 27-2025, amend filed 12/23/2025, effective 01/01/2026
SSP 58-2024, adopt filed 11/27/2024, effective 12/01/2024
SSP 48-2024, temporary adopt filed 08/23/2024, effective 08/23/2024 through 12/14/2024
SSP 40-2024, temporary adopt filed 06/18/2024, effective 06/18/2024 through 12/14/2024

461-196-0070
Enrollment Verification; SEBT

(1) Enrollment verification used to determine eligibility for the Summer EBT (SEBT) program will be provided according to sections (2) and (3) of this rule.

(2) Automatic enrollment with streamlined certification (see OAR 461-196-0020 and 461-196-0060).

(a) Data for school aged children who are categorically eligible (see OAR 461-196-0020) based on their participation in Head Start, the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), or because of their Migrant, homeless, or runaway status will be shared by schools with the Department (see OAR 461-196-0020) as part of the regular direct certification data share to be used for SEBT eligibility.

(b) Data for school aged children who are on an active Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) case at any time during the eligibility period will be shared by Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) with the Department to be used for SEBT eligibility.

(c) Data for school aged children who are part of a foster care case through ODHS Child Welfare will be shared by ODHS Child Welfare with the Department for SEBT eligibility.

(d) Data for school aged children who are part of an Oregon Health Plan Medicaid case through Oregon Health Authority will be shared by the Oregon Health Authority with the Department for SEBT eligibility.

(3) Enrollment through SEBT application (see OAR 461-196-0060).

(a) Confirmation of enrollment in a National School Lunch Program (NSLP) (see OAR 461-196-0020) participating school during the instructional year immediately preceding the summer period will be used for SEBT eligibility.

(b) Enrollment confirmation can be verified by:

(A) The Student Enrollment Data (SED) file provided by Oregon Department of Education (ODE) to the Department.

(B) An official document from or through the school which shows the students full name, school year and school name. Examples of this verification include a letter from a school official, online registration or enrollment systems or last quarter of grades.

(c) Children who are not enrolled in an NSLP participating school in the immediately preceding instructional year (see OAR 461-196-0020 and 461-196-0060) cannot be certified as eligible, and therefore cannot be deemed eligible for SEBT through submission of an application for SEBT benefits.

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 411.060
Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 411.060
History:
SSP 58-2024, adopt filed 11/27/2024, effective 12/01/2024
SSP 40-2024, temporary adopt filed 06/18/2024, effective 06/18/2024 through 12/14/2024

461-196-0080
Verification; SEBT

(1) Individuals who are determined to be eligible through streamlined certification as described in OAR 461-196-0060, are not required to provide verification (see OAR 461-196-0200).

(2) Summer EBT (SEBT) applications (see OAR 461-196-0020) are subject to the following verification requirements at any time during the eligibility period (see OAR 461-196-0020 and 461-196-0060):

(a) Verification for Cause. The Department (see OAR 461-196-0020) must verify for cause SEBT applications when the Department has knowledge or available information suggesting a filing group (see OAR 461-196-0020) has intentionally misreported its income, including by leaving the income fields blank on the SEBT application.

(b) Verification Sample of three percent of Approved Applications.

(A) The Department must verify eligibility of children in a sample of SEBT applications approved for benefits for the summer.

(B) The sample size for the Department must equal three percent of all SEBT applications approved by the Department from the start of the eligibility period through April 1 of the school year immediately preceding the summer operational period (see OAR 461-196-0020 and 461-196-0060), selected randomly from all applications.

(3) Individuals must provide verification when requested by the Department. The Department will notify the filing group through a Notice of Request for Information as described in OAR 461-196-0100, when verification, or additional verification, of any factor affecting eligibility is required.

(4) The Department must give filing groups at least 15 calendar days to provide required verification.

(5) The Department must make at least two follow up attempts, at least one week apart, to contact a filing group that does not respond to a Notice of Request for Information. The follow up attempts can be made by a telephone call, email or mail.

(6) SEBT benefits cannot be issued for SEBT applications selected for verification until the verification process is completed with the exception of verification for cause, as described in subsection (2)(a) of this rule.

(7) If the filing group refuses to cooperate or fails to provide verification when requested by the Department, the filing group’s application for SEBT benefits will be denied.
 

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 411.060
Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 411.060
History:
SSP 12-2025, amend filed 06/26/2025, effective 07/01/2025
SSP 58-2024, adopt filed 11/27/2024, effective 12/01/2024
SSP 40-2024, temporary adopt filed 06/18/2024, effective 06/18/2024 through 12/14/2024

461-196-0090
Income Availability; SEBT

(1) Current Income refers to the gross income received by the filing group (see OAR 461-196-0020) the month prior to the Summer EBT application (see OAR 461-196-0020), before any deductions. If this income does not reflect the filing group's typical income, they can estimate their annual income.

(2) Self-employment income is considered countable based upon the net income after expenditures. Net income for self-employed individuals is figured by subtracting the individual's operating expenses from the gross receipts.

(a) Deductible business expenses include, but are not limited to:

(A) The cost of goods purchased.

(B) Rent. 

(C) Utilities.

(D) Wages and salaries paid.

(E) Business taxes.

(b) Non-deductible business expenses include:

(A) The value of salable merchandise used by the proprietors of retail businesses.

(B) Personal, Federal, State, or local income taxes.

(c) Gross receipts include:

(A) The total income from goods sold or services rendered by the business.

(B) The value of all products sold.

(C) Money received from the rental of land, buildings, or equipment to others.

(3) Income is considered countable for determining SEBT eligibility unless specified as excluded per section (6) of this rule.

(4) Income of a child, who is under 18 years old, is considered countable unless excluded per section (6) of this rule.

(5) Income is considered available the date it is received or the date a member of the filing group  has a legal right to the payment and the legal ability to make it available, whichever is earlier, except as follows:

(a) Income usually paid monthly or on some other regular payment schedule is considered available on the regular payment date if the date of payment is changed because of a holiday or weekend.

(b) Income withheld or diverted at the request of an individual is considered available on the date the income would have been paid without the withholding or diversion.

(c) An advance or draw of earned income is considered available on the date it is received.

(6) The following is excluded income for determining SEBT eligibility.

(a) Disaster Assistance:         

(A) National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) payments received by property owners.

(B) Payments under the Disaster Relief Act of 1974, as amended by the Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Amendments of 1989, P.L. 100-707.

(b) Housing assistance:

(A) Reimbursements from the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970.

(B) Payments received under the Cranston-Gonzales National Affordable Housing Act, P.L. 101-625.

(C) Payments received under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1987.

(c) In-kind benefit including housing for clergy, cars for salespersons, employee medical or dental benefits, etc. are not cash payments and, therefore, are not considered as income.  

(d) Infrequent earnings received on an irregular basis, such as payment for occasional baby-sitting or yard work.

(e) Loans, such as bank loans since these funds are only temporarily available and must be repaid.

(f) Lump-sum payments or large cash settlements that are not received on a regular basis.

(g) Military compensation:

(A) Combat pay.

(B) Family Subsistence Supplemental Allowance.

(C) Privatized housing allowances.

(D) Payments under the Agent Orange Compensation Exclusion Act, P.L. 101-201.

(h) Payments received from a foster care agency or court for the care of foster children.

(i) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

(j) Student financial aid:

(A) Financial assistance provided for the costs of attendance at an educational institution, such as grants and scholarships awarded to meet educational expenses and not available to pay for meals. 

(B) Student financial assistance received under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, including the Pell Grant, Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant, State Student Incentive Grants, National Direct Student Loan, PLUS, College Work Study, and Byrd Honor Scholarship Programs, to the extent excluded by the Act.

(C) Payments received under the Carl D. Perkins Vocational Education Act, as amended by the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Act Amendments of 1990, P.L. 101-392.

(k) Tribal per Capita income if the income is held in a trust.

(l) Volunteer payments:

(A) Any payment to volunteers under Title I (VISTA and others) and Title II (RSVP, foster grandparents, and others) of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 to the extent excluded by the Act.

(B) Payments to volunteers under Section 8(b)(1)(B) of the Small Business Act (SCORE and ACE).

(C) Payments and allowances to individuals participating in AmeriCorps to the extent excluded by the National and Community Service Act of 1990.

(m) Utility assistance payments under the Low-income Home Energy Assistance Act P.L. 99-125.

(n) Women Infant and Children (WIC) benefits.

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 411.060
Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 411.060
History:
SSP 58-2024, adopt filed 11/27/2024, effective 12/01/2024
SSP 40-2024, temporary adopt filed 06/18/2024, effective 06/18/2024 through 12/14/2024

461-196-0100
Notices; SEBT

(1) Notice of Eligibility, Approval.

(a) When a filing group (see OAR 461-196-0020) is determined eligible through a Summer EBT (SEBT) application (see OAR 461-196-0020), the Department (see OAR 461-196-0020) will provide a notice of eligibility to the filing group of a child's approved status within 15 business days of receipt of a complete application.

(b) When a filing group is determined eligible through streamlined certification (see OAR 461-196-0020 and 461-196-0060), the Department will provide a notice of eligiblity to the filing group of a child’s approved status within 15 business days of the date benefits are made available to the filing group. The notice of approval will inform the filing group how to opt-out if they do not want their child to receive SEBT benefits and that an application is not required.

(c) The approval notice will inform the filing group that dual participation (see OAR 461-196-0020) in the SEBT program in the same summer operational period (see OAR 461-196-0020 and 461-196-0060) is not allowed.  

(2) Notice of Eligibility, Denial.

(a) When a filing group is determined ineligible through a SEBT application, the Department will provide a notice of eligibility to the filing group of a child’s denied status within 15 business days of receipt of a complete application.

(b) The Notice of Eligibility Denial will include the following information:

(A) The specific reason or reasons for the denial of benefits.

(B) Notification of the right to appeal.

(C) Instructions on how to appeal.

(D) A statement reminding households that they may reapply for benefits at any time.

(3) Notice of Incomplete Application.

(a) When a SEBT application is submitted and determined as incomplete, the Department will notify the filing group within 10 business days of the receipt of the application that additional information is needed.

(b) The Notice of Incomplete Application will include the following information:

(A) What information is missing.

(B) How to provide the missing information back to the Department.

(C) The date the missing information is due back to the Department.

(D) That no further action will be taken on the application if the missing information is not provided back to the Department.

(c) The Department must give the filing group at least 15 calendar days to provide the requested information.

(d) A Notice of Incomplete Application will not be sent if a mailing address or email address is not provided on the application.

(4) Notice of Request for Information.

(a) The Department will notify the filing group through a Notice of Request for Information when verification (see OAR 461-196-0020) is required through Verification for Cause (see OAR 461-196-0020) or Verification Sample of three percent of Approved Applications as detailed in OAR 461-196-0080.

(b) The Notice of Request for Information will include the following information:

(A) Informs the filing group they may provide proof of receiving assistance under Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Medicaid (Oregon Health Plan) or Foster Care through Child Welfare which would confer streamlined certification for SEBT.

(B) The filing group may request the Department to contact the appropriate officials to confirm their child(ren) are determined Migrant, homeless, runaway or missing by the school or part of a household which receives Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) or Head Start.

(C) The Department must give the filing group at least 15 calendar days to provide the requested information.

(D) Failure to cooperate with the Request for Information will result in the filing group’s request for SEBT benefits being denied.

(c) SEBT applications pending for verification must be provided a notice of eligibility within 30 calendar days after a complete application is received by the Department.

Statutory/Other Authority: 411.060
Statutes/Other Implemented: 411.060
History:
SSP 12-2025, amend filed 06/26/2025, effective 07/01/2025
SSP 58-2024, adopt filed 11/27/2024, effective 12/01/2024
SSP 40-2024, temporary adopt filed 06/18/2024, effective 06/18/2024 through 12/14/2024

461-196-0110
Processing Timeframes; SEBT

(1) Children found eligible through streamlined certification (see OAR 461-196-0020 and 461-196-0060) or who have an approved Summer EBT (SEBT) application (see OAR 461-196-0020) on file prior to the start of the summer operational period (see OAR 461-196-0020 and 461-196-0060) must have benefits issued and available to use at least seven calendar days and no more than 14 calendar days before the start of the summer operational period.

(2) Children found eligible through an SEBT application after the start of the summer operational period must have benefits issued and available no later than 15 business days after a complete application and any required verification (see OAR 461-196-0020) is received by the Department (see OAR 461-196-0020).

(3) Children found eligible through information provided from the child’s school after the start of the summer operational period must have benefits issued and available no later than 15 business days from the date of receipt of information from the school.

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 411.060
Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 411.060
History:
SSP 27-2025, amend filed 12/23/2025, effective 01/01/2026
SSP 58-2024, adopt filed 11/27/2024, effective 12/01/2024
SSP 40-2024, temporary adopt filed 06/18/2024, effective 06/18/2024 through 12/14/2024

461-196-0120
Budgeting; SEBT

(1) In the Summer EBT (SEBT) program, the income eligibility criteria for the program is based upon the filing group’s (see OAR 461-196-0020) size and current income which is converted to arrive at an annual amount.

(2) Current income means the gross income received by the filing group in the month prior to the SEBT application (see OAR 461-196-0020) before any deductions.

(3) If the current income does not reflect the filing group's typical monthly income, they can estimate their annual income.

(4) If self-attested income is questionable, the Department (OAR 461-196-0020) will request verification for cause (OAR 461-196-0080).

(5) Self-employed individuals may use their previous year’s income to estimate this year’s net income unless their current net income is more representative of their actual earnings in accordance with OAR 461-196-0090.

(6) The Department will calculate the filing group’s current income based on the frequency of pay and converted as follows to arrive at an annual amount:

(a) Once a week pay is converted to an annual amount by multiplying by 52.

(b) Biweekly pay (e.g., paid every other Friday) is converted to an annual amount by multiplying by 26.

(c) Twice a month pay (e.g., paid 15th and 30th of each month) is converted to an annual amount by multiplying by 24.

(d) Monthly pay is converted to an annual amount by multiplying by 12.

(7) For children who are not eligible through streamlined certification (OAR 461-196-0020 and 461-196-0060), the filing group's annual income must be under the income limit identified in section (8) of this rule to be eligible for SEBT.

(8) The National School Lunch Program/School Breakfast Program (NSLP/SBP) (see OAR 461-196-0020) income standards are published annually and change on July 1st of each year. 

(a) The income standards for 2026 are from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. [see attached table 1]

(b) The income standards for 2027 are from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027. [see attached table 2]

[ED. NOTE: To view attachments referenced in rule text, click here to view rule.]

Statutory/Other Authority: 411.060
Statutes/Other Implemented: 411.060
History:
SSP 29-2026, amend filed 06/29/2026, effective 07/01/2026
SSP 12-2025, amend filed 06/26/2025, effective 07/01/2025
SSP 58-2024, adopt filed 11/27/2024, effective 12/01/2024
SSP 40-2024, temporary adopt filed 06/18/2024, effective 06/18/2024 through 12/14/2024

461-196-0130
Hearings; SEBT

(1) Contested case hearings in the Summer EBT (SEBT) program are authorized by OAR 461-025-0310 and the Department adopts the general contested case hearing provisions in OAR chapter 461 division 025 for the Summer EBT (SEBT) program, except:

(a) There is no right to an expedited hearing in the SEBT program.

(b) There is no right to continuation of benefits in the SEBT program.

(2) Intentional program violation (IPV) hearings in the SEBT program are authorized by OAR 461-025-0316.

(3) Subject to the approval of the Attorney General, an officer or employee of the Oregon Department of Human Services is authorized to appear on behalf of the Department in SEBT program hearings conducted by the Office of Administrative Hearings.
 

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 411.060
Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 411.060
History:
SSP 58-2024, adopt filed 11/27/2024, effective 12/01/2024
SSP 40-2024, temporary adopt filed 06/18/2024, effective 06/18/2024 through 12/14/2024

461-196-0140
Replacement of Benefits; SEBT

(1) The Department (see OAR 461-196-0020) will only replace Summer EBT (SEBT) benefits if the provisions in section (2) or (3) of this rule apply.

(2) In the event of a filing group (see OAR 461-196-0020) misfortune or disaster, the Department will replace the value of food purchased with SEBT benefits when subsections (2)(a) through (2)(d) are true. The replacement of SEBT benefits are limited and issued under subsection (2)(e).

(a) The food was destroyed by a filing group misfortune or disaster.

(b) The filing group misfortune or disaster is verified. 

(c) The filing group must report the loss within 10 calendar days of the occurrence, either orally or in writing.  If the 10th day falls on a weekend or holiday and the statement is received the first workday after the weekend or holiday, the Department will consider the statement received on time.

(d) The filing group submits both of the following:

(A) The estimated cost of the lost food.

(B) A signed statement or affidavit attesting to the loss.

(e) The replacement of destroyed food is governed as follows:

(A) The amount of SEBT benefits replaced is only for the value of the food purchased with SEBT benefits lost due to the misfortune and may not exceed the SEBT benefit amount per child for the summer operational period (see OAR 461-196-0020 and 461-196-0060).

(B) The Department will issue a timely replacement of the value of loss by the later date of these two timeframes:

(i) Within 10 calendar days after the filing group reported the loss; or 

(ii) Within two working days of receiving a signed statement or affidavit, the estimated cost of lost food and verification of the filing group’s misfortune or disaster.

(3) The Department shall replace stolen or compromised SEBT program benefits only if the loss is caused by one of the reasons listed in paragraphs(3)(a)(A) or (3)(a)(B) of this rule. For the purposes of this section, compromised means the EBT card or the EBT card number has been used by an unauthorized individual to withdraw or spend the SEBT benefits of the filing group.

(a) The loss of SEBT benefits must be caused by one of the following:

(A) The Department issued the EBT card to an unauthorized individual who was not in the filing group.

(B) The Department failed to cancel the EBT card after the filing group reported to the Department that it had been lost, stolen, or compromised.

(b) The replacement of lost SEBT benefits is governed as follows:

(A) When the loss is caused under paragraph 3(a)(A) of this rule, the Department shall replace all compromised SEBT benefits.

(B) When the loss is caused under paragraph (3)(a)(B) of this rule, the Department will only replace the additional compromised SEBT benefits after the filing group reported to the Department the EBT card had been lost, stolen, or compromised.

(C) The Department will issue a timely replacement of the value of the loss only after the filing group reported the loss.

(4) The Department will replace an EBT card reported lost, stolen, or not received only after the current card has been deactivated. An EBT card that is damaged or not functioning properly is replaced only after the card's status is changed to "card damaged" and the card is destroyed.

(5) The Department will not replace SEBT benefits that were stolen due to electronic benefit theft.  Electronic benefit theft includes the following defined terms:

(a) “Card skimming” is defined as EBT card information stolen utilizing a store’s card-swiping machine.

(b) “Card cloning” is defined as the use of information obtained by “card skimming” to create a fake EBT card for fraudulent use.

(c) “Another similar fraudulent method” is defined as EBT card information compromised through electronic means.  This may include but is not limited to scams sent by text, e-mail, or telephone. It does not include the theft or unauthorized use of an individual’s physical EBT card.

Statutory/Other Authority: 411.060
Statutes/Other Implemented: 411.060
History:
SSP 58-2024, adopt filed 11/27/2024, effective 12/01/2024
SSP 47-2024, temporary adopt filed 08/23/2024, effective 08/23/2024 through 02/18/2025

461-196-0150
Restoration of Lost Benefits; SEBT

(1) An individual is entitled to a restoration of lost benefits if: 

(a) The loss was caused by an error by the Department (see OAR 461-196-0020), including an action to restore any benefits that were lost, or the failure to issue due to agency error; or

(b) An administrative disqualification for intentional program violation (see OAR 461-195-0601) was subsequently reversed.

(2) Benefits shall be restored for not more than twelve months prior to whichever of the following occurred first:

(a) The date the Department receives a request for restoration from the filing group (see OAR 461-196-0020); or

(b) The date the Department is notified or otherwise discovers that a loss to a filing group has occurred.

(3) The Department must restore benefits found to have been wrongfully withheld through judicial action.

(a) If the judicial action is the filing group’s first attempt to regain lost benefits, the benefits must be restored for not more than twelve months from the date the court action began.

(b) When the judicial action involves reviewing the Department’s action, benefits must be restored not more than twelve months from:

(A) The date the agency receives a restoration request. 

(B) If no request is made, the date the hearing action is initiated.

(C) Never exceeding one year from when the agency is informed of or discovers the loss.

(D) Benefits must be restored even if the child is currently ineligible. 

(4) The Department must restore any lost benefits to a filing group by issuing an allotment equal to the amount of benefits that were lost, irrespective of the filing group's current eligibility status. This restored amount will be issued in addition to the regular allotment entitled to the eligible filing group. 

(5) The Department will issue a timely replacement of Summer EBT benefits within 10 days of receiving the request for restoration, the discovery of the agency error that led to the lost benefits, or the notification of judicial or administrative action ordering the benefits to be restored.

(6) Individuals disqualified for intentional program violation are entitled to restoration of any benefits lost during the months that they were disqualified, not to exceed twelve months prior to the date of Department notification, only if the decision which resulted in disqualification is subsequently reversed.

Statutory/Other Authority: 411.060
Statutes/Other Implemented: 411.060
History:
SSP 27-2025, amend filed 12/23/2025, effective 01/01/2026
SSP 58-2024, adopt filed 11/27/2024, effective 12/01/2024
SSP 47-2024, temporary adopt filed 08/23/2024, effective 08/23/2024 through 02/18/2025

461-196-0160
Overpayments; SEBT

(1) The Department (see OAR 461-196-0020) will pursue an overpayment claim when:

(a) The overpayment amount is $200 or more;

(b) The filing group (see OAR 461-196-0020) was found eligible through a Summer EBT (SEBT) application; and

(c) An individual in the filing group knowingly obtained SEBT benefits through fraudulent activity and there is an established intentional program violation (IPV) in accordance with OAR 461-195-0611.

(2) The Department will not recover an SEBT overpayment claim through the reduction of the filing group’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or any other public assistance benefits.

(3) Overpayments are calculated in accordance with OAR 461-195-0521 and liability for repayment of overpayments is addressed in OAR 461-195-0541.  

Statutory/Other Authority: 411.060
Statutes/Other Implemented: 411.060
History:
SSP 58-2024, adopt filed 11/27/2024, effective 12/01/2024
SSP 47-2024, temporary adopt filed 08/23/2024, effective 08/23/2024 through 02/18/2025

461-196-0170
Concurrent and Duplicate Program Benefits; SEBT

(1) An individual is not eligible to receive benefits from both Oregon and another state or Indian Tribal Organization for the same time period.

(2) An individual is not eligible to receive benefits as a member of more than one filing group (see OAR 461-196-0020) for the same time period.

Statutory/Other Authority: 411.060
Statutes/Other Implemented: 411.060
History:
SSP 58-2024, adopt filed 11/27/2024, effective 12/01/2024
SSP 47-2024, temporary adopt filed 08/23/2024, effective 08/23/2024 through 02/18/2025