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House clears bill asking DHS to seek USDA waiver so child‑care tax credit won’t reduce SNAP eligibility
Summary
House passed Senate Bill 64 directing the Department of Human Services to request a USDA waiver to exclude monthly advance payments of Oregon’s dependent‑care tax credit from SNAP income calculations; proponents said the change would prevent the credit from reducing food‑assistance eligibility.
SALEM, Ore. — The House approved Senate Bill 64, which directs the Oregon Department of Human Services to request a waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to exclude monthly advance payments of the state dependent‑care tax credit from calculations that determine Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program eligibility.
Representative Javidy, carrying the bill, said the credit helps families with child‑care costs but that monthly advance payments — unlike an annual lump‑sum credit — are counted as income under federal SNAP rules and can reduce or eliminate food assistance. He told colleagues the bill “does not create a new benefit” or increase spending but would remove a disincentive that penalizes families for using the credit monthly to cover childcare costs.
The measure requires DHS to submit the USDA waiver request within 90 days of the bill’s effective date and to report status updates to the Legislature annually until the waiver is approved or denied. The bill also includes a sunset clause repealing the act on Jan. 1, 2031, unless further action is taken.
Representative Deal voiced concern about a missing fiscal estimate, noting an earlier version of the bill in 2023 carried a $400,000 DHS fiscal for a system update; he said he would vote no. After brief floor discussion the clerk declared the bill passed.
SB 64 instructs DHS to pursue administrative relief from federal SNAP rules so monthly childcare tax‑credit advance payments do not jeopardize households’ food‑assistance eligibility while the agency reports on the waiver request to the Legislature.
