So here we are again — another government shutdown. Congress couldn’t agree on a budget, and now millions of people across the country are stuck waiting to see what happens to their benefits. For Oregon, this hits especially hard because so many families rely on SNAP (aka food stamps) to get by each month. When the government stops, so does a lot of the help people count on just to eat.

What’s Going On

The federal government officially shut down on October 1, 2025. The USDA already warned states that if this drags on, SNAP funds might run out for November. That means benefits could be delayed — or even stopped — until Congress gets its act together. Over 750,000 Oregonians depend on SNAP, so the idea of payments freezing is no small thing. Food banks are bracing for chaos, grocery stores are nervous, and families are worried.

Why Oregon Is Especially Vulnerable

Oregon has some of the highest SNAP participation rates in the country. In a bunch of rural counties, one out of every four households depends on food assistance. If that safety net snaps, it’s not just about food — it affects local businesses, health, and the entire community economy.

Here are the top counties where SNAP usage is highest:

• Malheur County: ~28.4% of households on SNAP
• Klamath County: ~26.3%
• Jefferson County: ~25.1%
• Coos County: ~24.8%
• Umatilla County: ~23.9%

And honestly, it doesn’t stop there — a lot of other counties are hovering around 20%. That’s a ton of people living month-to-month on benefits that could disappear overnight if this shutdown keeps going.

County-by-County Realities

Malheur County is probably the hardest hit. Nearly one in three households uses SNAP. If those benefits are delayed, families won’t just struggle with food — rent, gas, and medicine bills start piling up fast. Grocery stores will see fewer customers, and local food pantries will get slammed.

Klamath County isn’t far behind. With a rural setup and long drives between stores, losing benefits here doesn’t just mean hunger — it means added travel costs and limited access to affordable food.

Jefferson and Coos Counties already have economic challenges. A delay in benefits would hit families with kids and seniors especially hard. Food banks and churches in those areas are already preparing for a spike in demand.

Umatilla County also faces its own unique problems — many families rely on seasonal agricultural jobs. When work slows down, SNAP keeps food on the table. Without it, people start slipping through the cracks quickly.

Complete County-By-County List

Great — below is a ranked list of all 36 Oregon counties by the percentage of households receiving SNAP / food-stamp benefits (highest → lowest).

Source: StatisticalAtlas’s county table (which aggregates the U.S. Census ACS subject table for “households receiving food stamps/SNAP”). Statistical Atlas+1

Impact on the LGBTQ Community

The LGBTQ community in Oregon — particularly youth, seniors, and people of color — already faces higher rates of poverty, housing insecurity, and health disparities. Many rely on SNAP and other public assistance programs to make ends meet. A shutdown hitting SNAP benefits isn’t just a “budget issue” — it’s a threat to the well-being of these community members. For LGBTQ seniors, it could mean skipping meals or medicine. For LGBTQ youth and young adults, especially those who may be estranged from family support, delayed benefits could mean immediate food insecurity.

Community centers, LGBTQ resource organizations, and mutual aid networks are bracing for a surge in need. In rural counties like Malheur, Klamath, and Jefferson, LGBTQ individuals often have fewer local support systems, meaning the shutdown will hit them disproportionately hard.

The Bigger Picture

This isn’t just about hunger — it’s about community stability. SNAP benefits flow right back into the local economy, especially in smaller towns. If they vanish, stores lose income, and the whole local ecosystem starts to wobble. On top of that, social service offices and nonprofits will be swamped trying to pick up the slack. For LGBTQ communities, these disruptions intersect with already existing vulnerabilities, making access to food, healthcare, and safe housing even more urgent.

What You Can Do Right Now

• If you’re on SNAP, budget as best you can this month and keep an eye on updates from Oregon DHS.
• Find your local food pantry ahead of time — don’t wait until benefits are gone to look for help.
• LGBTQ individuals can reach out to local queer community centers or mutual aid groups for targeted support.
• Small businesses should prepare for slower weeks. SNAP spending keeps local economies moving.
• Support local food banks or community kitchens if you’re able — they’re going to need it.

The Bottom Line

The government shutdown might feel like politics-as-usual in D.C., but out here, it’s real. When SNAP benefits stop, families go hungry, kids go without lunch, and small-town stores start feeling the pinch. Counties like Malheur, Klamath, and Coos can’t afford to wait for a political solution that may take weeks. The longer the shutdown lasts, the deeper the hit — not just for those using SNAP, but for entire communities that depend on that flow of dollars and stability.

For LGBTQ Oregonians, this is an even bigger challenge. Many are already juggling economic insecurity, health disparities, and limited local support. The shutdown threatens to magnify these vulnerabilities overnight.

It’s easy to think a shutdown is just “temporary.” But for the families and LGBTQ community members living off those benefits, every day counts. Let’s hope Congress remembers that soon.

Sources: OPB, TIME, AP News, Washington Post