Ahead of the Curve: How Oregon Succeeded in Enrolling All Eligible Households in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

ABSTRACT

The participation rate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) varies significantly among states. In 2018, the national participation rate was 82%, and only three states (Delaware, Illinois and Oregon) enrolled all eligible households in the program. This article investigates the causes behind Oregon’s success in reaching a 100% SNAP participation rate starting in 2009 and maintaining this percentage till the present time. A combination of policy, political, administrative, governance and demographic variables have all contributed to making Oregon a national leader in SNAP participation rates.

KEYWORDS:

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Oregon
• SNAP work requirement
• SNAP participation rates
• food security
• ABAWDs

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes

1. Governor Kitzhaber was Oregon’s longest-serving governor, having served as the state’s 35th and 37th governor between 1995 and 2015. The fact that he was the only governor in the state to be elected for a fourth term made his fourth inaugural speech “historic..”