Rogue Valley News, Wednesday 12/20 – Rogue Retreat Crossings Is Moving New Residents in This Week & Other Local and Statewide News…

The latest news stories of interest in the Rogue Valley and the state of Oregon from the digital home of Southern Oregon, Wynne Broadcasting’s RogueValleyMagazine.com

Wednesday, December 20, 2023

Rogue Valley Weather

 

Rogue Retreat Crossings expected to have residents moved in by Friday

Rogue Retreat, the homeless service nonprofit, recently posted on Facebook Marketplace to sell some of its rigid tents. 

Fifty of these rigid tents were purchased by Rogue Retreat in 2021 as the nonprofit expanded its urban campground in Medford. They look like a regular camping tent, but are built with hard materials including plastic and metal.

Development Manager Hannah Reinhardt said those rigid tents are very bare-bones, lacking basic heating or air conditioning. She said the campground is transitioning to shelters with more amenities.

“This shift now into a new shelter-style model is going to help us provide a little bit more of that stability,” she said.

Rogue Retreat is currently moving its urban campground in Medford to a permanent location on West McAndrews Road. Reinhardt said the new location will use a combination of other more permanent structures that will provide more safety and stability for campground residents.

“We’ve had such a great outpouring of interest that we have closed the ad,” Reinhardt said. “And we’re working with certain partner agencies to see how we can move forward and see them still used, just not by us.”

Reinhardt said they quickly received interest from other organizations in Roseburg and the Southern Oregon coast. They’re working with the nonprofit ACCESS to find a good home for the tents.

The tents originally cost $5,500 apiece, according to Reinhardt. They came from Oregon Harbor of Hope, a nonprofit based in Portland. They were purchased with grant funding Rogue Retreat received in partnership with ACCESS. The original ad the organization posted on Facebook said they were seeking just $500 each for the tents. Reinhardt said the high costs for the fairly simple tents were because they were constructed when material costs were extremely high during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rouge Retreat will keep around 10-15 of the shelters to use in case of emergencies or for storage. Some of the rigid tents are still in use at the old urban campground location. Reinhardt said they are planning to move all the campground residents to the new location by the end of 2023.  (SOURCE)

 

Rogue Retreat plans to have all residents move into the new units at Rogue Retreat Crossings, located on West McAndrews Road, by the end of this week.

“There are probably about a hundred that are getting into the tent sites, sheltered sites and the village sites,” said marketing coordinator Joe Powell. “We’re just waiting on electricity to be done in some of the sheltered sites so that we can move everybody into those shelters over there.”

There are 30 duplex units that will house 60 residents and are equipped with power outlets, heat and air conditioning. The units were designed to be cost-efficient while still comfortable to live in.

 

Grants Pass Physician and Affiliated Medical Practice Agree to Pay $115,000 to Settle Health Care Fraud Allegations

Ashland to Be the Center of Wildfire Resilience Research by Oregon State University

Oregon State University researchers are receiving $750,000 in grants to launch a collaborative wildfire resilience research study. The research will be done in Ashland, where one of the most recent wildfires occurred.

A team of researchers and a doctoral student will be using coving engineering and forestry in order to understand just how wildfires interact with the built environment. The hope is that they will be better able to prepare in the case of an eventual wildfire.

The funds, from the US Forest Service and the National Science Foundation, will create a new doctoral program and research center. Erica Fischer of OSU’s College of Engineering will serve as principal investigator on the grant. She said a team of researchers and a doctoral student will use forestry and civil engineering to understand how wildfire interacts with the built environment, and how to prepare for it.

“How do we train the next generation of scientists to be able to study this,” she said. “How do we train the next generation of professionals to be able to work in communities and address this really big problem?”

She said the student will be embedded in Ashland, a community impacted by the 2020 Almeda wildfire.

Fischer said the research could also improve preparedness, identifying key points where fire trucks should be stationed, what homes and infrastructure are most at risk, and modeling evacuation routes and economic recovery.

“You get a real life example of what could happen,” she said.

Researchers from University of Oregon, University of Washington, the UK and Australia, will also collaborate on the project.  The international angle is because of the importance of understanding how different communities approach risks of wildfires, as well as the societal implications in the event of a wildfire.

Oregonians urged to respond to renewals for medical benefits; data shows 5 out of 6 people keeping benefits

SALEM, Ore. — With more than a million renewals complete, so far more than 5 out of 6 Oregonians are keeping their Oregon Health Plan (OHP) or other Medicaid benefits. Oregon is nearly three quarters of the way through the process of renewing medical benefits after the COVID-19 emergency.

Oregon’s 85 percent renewal rate is the third highest in a national comparison of state renewal rates by KFF, a nonpartisan health policy organization. KFF analysis shows Oregon also has saved more people from unnecessary paperwork than any other state via the automated renewal process.

 

Oregonians encouraged to respond to renewals

More than 400,000 people — about 9 percent of Oregon’s population — still need to respond to a renewal or will receive a letter in coming months.

Members who have not received a renewal yet should:

• Keep their address and contact information up to date.
• Check their mail or Online ONE account for their renewal letter.
• Do what the renewal letter asks as soon as possible.

Anyone concerned they missed their letter should get help with their renewal via one of the ways to find help listed below.

People who are asked to submit information to finish the medical renewal process should consider uploading documents through a ONE online account at ONE.Oregon.gov or the free Oregon ONE Mobile app. They are the fastest ways to share required information.

• It’s best to set-up a ONE online account before downloading the mobile app.
• People who need help setting up a ONE online account can call 833-978-1073 Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. All relay calls accepted.

Although most people are keeping coverage, 1 in 6 people are losing or reducing benefits. Over 150,000 people will need to consider their other coverage options after completing their renewal.

People who do not have coverage through a job or Medicare may be able to enroll through the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace with financial help. People who have recently lost OHP benefits can enroll anytime until July 31, 2024 or within 60 days of their benefits ending. Open enrollment for 2024 also continues until Jan. 16, 2024. For more information and ways to get help signing up for Marketplace, Medicare, or employer coverage, see “what to do if OHP is ending” below.

December OHP renewal data

As of Dec. 13, 2023, 1,053,636 people have completed the renewal process. This represents 72.4 percent of all OHP and Medicaid members.

• 898,868 people (85.3 percent) were renewed and kept their benefits.
• 140,535 people (13 percent) were found ineligible.

16,227 people (1.5 percent) had a reduction in their benefits. Most of these members lost full OHP but were able to continue Medicare Savings Programs that help pay their Medicare costs. In December, renewal letters were sent to an additional 143,808 people.

• 73.6 percent were renewed without any action needed.
• 21.4 percent were asked to provide some information to renew. The most common requests are for income-related proof such as paystubs, or forms of identification such as a government identification or birth certificate.
• 2.4 percent were asked to fill out a renewal form.
• 2.9 percent had previously reported that they no longer met income limits or other requirements and received a notice that their benefits will end in 60 days.

Find help renewing your benefits

1. Learn more about how to renew your Oregon Health Plan medical coverage.
2. Call the ONE Customer Service Center at 800-699-9075. All relay calls are accepted, and help is available in multiple languages. Wait times are lowest between 7 and 8 a.m.
3. Visit or call a local Oregon Department of Human Services office. People can find their local office at https://www.oregon.gov/odhs/Pages/office-finder.aspx.
4. Visit a community partner for free in-person help. To find one near you visit OregonHealthCare.gov/GetHelp (English) or orhim.info/ayuda (Spanish).

The large number of OHP renewals, along with renewals of long-term services and supports, may cause greater wait times, delays, and possible interruptions to people’s OHP benefits. The fastest way members can provide an update is by going to benefits.oregon.gov and logging into their ONE online account.

What to do if your OHP is ending:

• First, review the case summary in your letter to make sure the information used to make the decision was correct. If that information has changed, notify the state. You can call the ONE Customer Service Center at 800-699-9075 (toll-free, all relay calls accepted) or find other options to connect at benefits.oregon.gov. If the information on file for you is correct and you disagree with the decision, you can request a hearing. Learn more about hearings.
• Explore options through an employer. If you, your spouse, or a parent are working, you may be eligible for health coverage through that employer. Talk to your manager or Human Resources department to see if you qualify. You will have a special enrollment period to enroll mid-year due to loss of OHP benefits.
• If you have or are eligible for Medicare: For help understanding and choosing the right Medicare options, go to OregonHealthcare.gov/GetHelp to find an insurance agent or a counselor at the Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance Program (SHIBA). You can also call SHIBA at 800-722-4134.

If you need to sign up for Medicare for the first time, contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) at 800-772-1213 to enroll by phone or find a local office. You can also enroll in Medicare online at ssa.gov/medicare/sign-up.

• Nearly 80 percent of Oregonians qualify for financial help through the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace. Visit OregonHealthCare.gov/WindowShop to answer a few quick questions, find out how much you can save and find out how much coverage may cost you. You can also call the Marketplace Transition Help Center at 833-699-6850 (toll-free, all relay calls accepted).
• Need free local help finding other coverage? Visit OregonHealthCare.gov/GetHelp to find professional help near you.

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) are committed to transparency and will continue to send monthly information about medical coverage among Oregonians as the agencies continue to track the programs. Check our ONE Eligibility Operations Dashboards for more frequent updates on medical renewal data and wait times for callers to the ONE Customer Service Center.

Home replacement assistance for 2020 Labor Day disaster survivors coming in 2024

SALEM, Ore. — The Homeowner Assistance and Reconstruction Program (HARP) will be the first assistance available directly to 2020 Labor Day disaster survivors administered by Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS). The program is part of ReOregon, which is funded by a $422 million Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

HARP assistance will help low- and moderate-income homeowners who still need to repair, rebuild, or replace their homes. Those who have already completed repairs or rebuilding may be reimbursed in a future phase of HARP, if funds are still available.

“OHCS remains committed to action towards recovering, rebuilding, and revitalizing our communities,” said OHCS Director Andrea Bell. “As trusted voices in their communities, our partners have a pulse on the needs of our many neighbors and friends who are still working to recover. ”

OHCS will begin accepting applications for HARP by the end of March 2024. The agency has partnered with community-based organizationsto support the launch of HARP.

The following organizations will be conducting outreach and providing in-person support to help survivors work through the application process:

• Glide Revitalization, Douglas County
• ACCESS, NOWIA Unete Center for Farmworker Advocacy, and Firebrand Resilience Collective (Remake Talent), Jackson County
• McKenzie Valley Long Term Recovery Group, Lane County
• Community Services Consortium, Lincoln County
• Santiam Service Integration Team (Santiam Hospital), Linn and Marion counties

In addition, Unite Oregon in Jackson County and the Lincoln County Long Term Recovery Group will be assisting with the outreach work.

“Every household who lost their home in the Labor Day disaster has struggled to recover—and, unfortunately, many continue to do so,” said Joe Vollmar, chief operations and housing officer at ACCESS community action agency. “ReOregon is probably the last, best chance that many survivors will have to receive significant assistance. Knowing how hard it has been for Oregonians to work with FEMA and other recovery programs, we appreciate that OHCS is taking the time build a user-friendly system and fund local organizations like ours to help survivors with the application process.”

While OHCS and its partners continue to prepare to launch an application portal, survivors can help make the process as smooth as possible by ensuring they have the right documentation before they apply. HARP applicants will need the following information: 

• Proof they owned the damaged or destroyed home, and it was their primary residence.
• Records of damage from the 2020 Labor Day Disasters.
• Proof of current income.
• Record of any insurance or other recovery funds you received.
• Personal identification (ID) for all household members over the age of 18.

OHCS recognizes how challenging this disaster has been and wants to work with survivors to ensure they have the resources they need to apply to the appropriate ReOregon program. The federal rules governing CDBG-DR are extensive and include significant documentation requirements for any beneficiary households.

Survivors can stay up to date on ReOregon programs in various stages of development, by signing up for email updates and visiting the ReOregon website at re.oregon.gov.

OHCS Homeowner Assistance Fund Application Portal Closes December 20

SALEM, Ore. — Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) is closing the Oregon Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) program to most new applicants to avoid overcommitting funds. The application portal will close at noon PST Dec. 20. Homeowners who are in active foreclosure may still be able to apply through a housing counselor.

“We’re encouraging homeowners who are at imminent risk of housing displacement, socially disadvantaged individuals as defined by U.S. Treasury, or anyone who meets one of the additional eligibility criteria listed on the HAF website to apply for HAF assistance before noon Dec. 20,” said Ryan Vanden Brink, assistant director of Homeowner Assistance Programs. “Although we are accepting new applications, there may not be enough funds for everyone who applies as the program winds down.”

Existing applicants can continue to log on to the HAF portal to check the status of their application or scheduled payments.

OHCS planned its HAF program to operate as a safety net for the most at-risk homeowners who have no viable workout option, so those homeowners will receive priority processing. If funds still remain after the portal closes and applications are processed, HAF intake partners will be able to submit new applications on behalf of homeowners in a judicial foreclosure action or in nonjudicial foreclosure with a scheduled sale date. These applicants may need to complete intake paperwork and foreclosure prevention counseling before working with a counselor. Funding may not be available for all these new applications.

In addition to Oregon’s foreclosure moratorium and increased mortgage forbearance and default workout options, HAF has helped Oregon maintain a historically low foreclosure rate during and since the COVID-19 pandemic, keeping many in their homes. According to August 2023 Corelogic data, there were 1,016 residential foreclosures in Oregon, which reflects a 0.16% foreclosure rate, compared to a 20-year average 1.03% foreclosure rate.

As of Dec. 4, OHCS has approved 1,745 applications, totaling about $46.9 million of the $72 million available to homeowners when the program launched. Over $35 million in approved funds have already been paid with an average award of about $27,000. OHCS is reviewing or monitoring another 859 applications that, if approved, are projected to total $23.2 million in assistance. The agency projects $1.9 million remains. OHCS is currently working with homeowners, housing counselors, and mortgage servicers to postpone and prevent hundreds of foreclosures for applicants. Visit the HAF Dashboard for more detailed information.

Free help is available  – Homeowners who have fallen behind or are at risk of missing a payment on their mortgage can continue to get free help from certified housing counselors around the state to learn about options to keep their homes, such as modifications or adding deferred payments to the end of a mortgage. Housing counselors are knowledgeable, experienced, and dedicated professionals who can help homeowners communicate with their mortgage servicers.

Search the full list of free certified housing counselors by county. Homeowners should be aware that some housing counseling agencies take longer due to high volume and remote working policies.

In addition to connecting with a certified housing counselor, Oregon homeowners should directly contact their mortgage servicers and lenders to see what types of mortgage assistance and foreclosure prevention programs are available. Homeowners who communicate with their lenders and servicers have some additional protections and usually have more time to figure out their options.

Avoiding fraud  – The Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services recommends being extremely cautious with offers to help from unauthorized companies or people. Homeowners are urged not to provide financial or personal information unless they verify the company or person’s licensing status. It does not cost anything to apply for the HAF program or meet with an Oregon housing counselor.

There are several common warning signs homeowners should watch out for that may indicate a scam. If a homeowner suspects they’re being contacted by a scammer, they can report it to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Oregon Department of Justice, or the U.S. Treasury’s Office of the Inspector General.

To verify a lender’s license, visit the Division of Financial Regulation’s license page and compare it with the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS) license number. This number must be included on all advertising materials and should be easy to find. To verify a housing counseling agency’s status with the state, make sure they are listed on the OHCS website.

Attorney General Rosenblum Announces $700 Million Settlement with Google over Play Store Misconduct

Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum and a bipartisan group of 52 other attorneys general today announced a $700 million agreement with Google in their lawsuit about Google’s anticompetitive conduct with the Google Play Store.

“Every company is required to play by the rules, from the smallest of mom-and-pop shops to the biggest brands on the planet, and this settlement demonstrates that principle as clear as day,” said AG Rosenblum. “Google has agreed to make right with the more than 100 million consumers it wronged and will be required to take many important steps to prevent anticompetitive conduct in the future.”

Google will pay $630 million in restitution, minus costs, and fees, to consumers who made purchases on the Google Play Store between August 2016 and September 2023 and were harmed by Google’s anticompetitive practices. Google will pay the states an additional $70 million for their sovereign claims. People eligible for restitution do not have to submit a claim – they will receive automatic payments through PayPal or Venmo, or they can elect to receive a check or ACH transfer. More details about that process will be forthcoming. The agreement also requires Google to make their business practices more procompetitive in a number of important ways.

The attorneys general sued Google in 2021 alleging that Google unlawfully monopolized the market Android app distribution and in-app payment processing. Specifically, the States claimed that Google signed anticompetitive contracts to prevent other app stores from being preloaded on Android devices, bought off key app developers who might have launched rival app stores, and created technological barriers to deter consumers from directly downloading apps to their devices. The states announced a settlement in principle on September 5, 2023, and today released the finalized terms of that deal.

For much of this case, the attorneys general litigated alongside Epic Games and Match, two major app developers. Match announced a separate settlement earlier this year, while Epic Games took its case to trial. A jury unanimously found that Google’s anticompetitive conduct violated the federal antitrust laws early last week.

This lawsuit was led by the Attorneys General from North Carolina, Utah, Tennessee, New York, and California, and joined by the attorneys general of all remaining states, the District of Columbia and the territories of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

A copy of the settlement is available HERE.

“I appreciate the hard work of our team at Oregon DOJ as well as public-sector lawyers across 53 states and territories to reach such a significant settlement,” added AG Rosenblum. https://www.doj.state.or.us/media-home/news-media-releases/attorney-general-rosenblum-announces-700-million-settlement-with-google-over-play-store-misconduct/

Look Back at First Year of Oregon’s Legal Psilocybin Program

As Oregon closes out the inaugural year of its first-in-the-nation legal psilocybin program, hundreds of Oregonians and visitors are finally accessing services in Portland and throughout the state.

According to informal data gathered by Healing Advocacy Fund, a nonprofit that advocates for legal psilocybin programs in Oregon and Colorado, at least 715 people have accessed services in Oregon since the program officially launched this year.

The Oregon Health Authority, which runs the psilocybin program, does not currently collect data from people participating in the program. That will change in 2025 when the Oregon Psilocybin Services section of the health authority will start to collect some aggregated data from service centers as required by Senate Bill 303, which passed in June.

While Oregonians passed the legal psilocybin framework in 2020, the law allowed the state to spend two years developing the system. Oregon released the first draft rules for the psilocybin program in February of 2022. In late 2022, the state started licensing facilitator training programs, and in January of 2023 began accepting applications for licenses for workers, facilitators, manufacturers, laboratories and service centers, as required by the new law.

By May, the Oregon Psilocybin Services began issuing licenses for psilocybin treatment centers. Later that month, Oregonians and visitors started accessing services.

Advocates of psilocybin say it can help people dealing with a host of issues, from trauma to addiction. And many are hoping that Oregon’s program allows for more extensive research into the therapeutic properties of the substance, which remains illegal at the federal level. (More Info: https://www.newsbreak.com/news/3271049721661-over-700-people-used-psychedelic-mushrooms-under-oregon-s-program-in-2023 )

Quaker Granola Bars and Granola Cereals Recalled Due to Potential Salmonella Contamination

Nearly 80 varieties of Quaker Oats Company‘s granola bar and granola cereal products are being recalled due to a potential salmonella contamination.

News of the recall was announced by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Friday. The products were sold throughout all 50 states in the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam and Saipan, in stores like Target, Costco, Walmart, Kroger and more.

Among the products are various flavors and variety/value packs of Quaker Chewy Bars (including the “Less Sugar” option), Quaker Big Chewy Bars, Quaker Chewy Bars Minis, Quaker Chewy Dipps and Quaker Chewy Mini Dipps.

Quaker Puffed Granola, Quaker Simply Granola Oats and Quaker Protein Granola Oats products are also affected, in their respective offerings.

AAA expects 115 million Americans including 1.6 million Oregonians to head away from home for the holidays

AAA projects 115.2 million Americans (33.8% of the population) will travel 50 miles or more for the Christmas and New Year holidays. This is up 2.2% from 2022 and the second-highest holiday travel volume since 2000 when AAA began tracking holiday travel, only behind 2019. About 1.63 million Oregonians will pack their sleighs for a holiday trip.

The year-end holiday travel period is defined as 10 days from Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023, through Monday, Jan. 1, 2024.

About 90% of travelers or 104 million will drive to their holiday destinations, up 1.8% compared to 2022. In Oregon, roughly 1.4 million will drive.

Air travel sets a new record this holiday season, with 7.5 million Americans including 156,000 Oregonians taking to the skies. This is up 4.7% over last year. In all, about 6.5% of all holiday travelers will fly to their destinations.

Travel by other modes, including cruises, trains and buses, is also reaching new highs this year with 4 million travelers including 50,000 Oregonians. This is up 10.7% from last year. In all, about 3.5% of all travelers will go by these modes.

“We’ve seen robust demand for travel throughout 2023, and now people are ready to wrap up the year with holiday trips. We expect to see about 2.5 million more travelers for Christmas and New Year’s this year compared to 2022,” says Doreen Loofburrow, senior vice president of travel for AAA Oregon/Idaho. “Your AAA card can provide discounts and rewards, and we recommend travel insurance to protect your investment.”

“This holiday season will be the second-busiest in the last two decades, with air travel setting new records this year. Count on busy roads and crowded airports this holiday season. With some planning before your trip, and patience and flexibility along the way, you can have an enjoyable holiday trip,” says Marie Dodds, public affairs director for AAA Oregon/Idaho. “Weather is always the wild card this time of year, so make sure you have a plan B, just in case.”

Most will travel by car

AAA projects nearly 104 million Americans (90.0% of travelers) will drive to their holiday destination. This is up 1.8% compared to 2022. Travel by car this year will be the second highest on record, up nearly 2 million from last year but lower than 2019 when 108 million Americans drove out of town for the holidays.

In Oregon, roughly 1.4 million will drive.

Air travel to set new record

Holiday air travel will jump to the highest volume ever for the holidays with 7.5 million air travelers. This is up 4.7% over last year and beats 2019’s previous high mark of 7.3 million passengers.

Approximately 156,000 Oregonians will travel by air. In all, 6.5% of holiday travelers will fly to their destinations.

Gas prices similar to last year

Those who hit the road for the holidays will find gas prices that are similar to last year’s holiday season.

The current (as of Dec. 20) national average for regular unleaded is $3.10 and the Oregon average is $3.84. Find current prices at https://gasprices.aaa.com/

AAA members can fill up for less at Shell stations when they join the Fuel Rewards® program at AAA.com/Shell. Save 30¢/gal on your first fill-up at Shell when you join the Fuel Rewards® program by 12/31/23 and make your first transaction within 30 days of joining. After that, save 5¢/gal every day on each individual fill-up of up to 20 gallons from participating Shell stations.

Get $5 off annual Oregon State Park parking permit in December

Give the gift of the outdoors and save this season with the Oregon State Parks 12-month parking permit sale during the month of December.

The permit hangtag once again features whimsical designs from Portland artist El Tran. Holiday shoppers can buy the annual parking permits for only $25, which is a $5 savings starting Dec. 1 and running through Dec. 31. The permit is good for 12 months starting in the month of purchase.

Purchasing permits is easy. Buy them online at the Oregon State Parks store (use the drop down menu to pick your favorite design). Parking permits are also sold at some state park friends’ group stores and select local businesses throughout the state. For a complete list of vendors, visit stateparks.oregon.gov.

Parking costs $5 a day at 25 Oregon state parks unless you have a 12- or 24-month parking permit or a same-day camping receipt. The 24-month pass is $50 and is also available at store.oregonstateparks.org. The permits are transferable from vehicle to vehicle.

People in Oregon can now manage state benefits with the Oregon ONE Mobile app

People can now securely manage their medical, food, cash and child care benefits through the State of Oregon from the convenience of their mobile devices using the new Oregon ONE Mobile app. People first will need to apply for benefits online, in person at a local office or over the phone.

The app is available for free in the Apple and Android app stores. It is an official State of Oregon app created by the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS). The app’s development was partially funded by the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

“At ODHS we are committed to meeting people in Oregon where they are with as many ways as possible to manage their benefits, check application status and share needed documentation, like when they get a request for information during a renewal,” said Nathan Singer (he/him), director of the ODHS Oregon Eligibility Partnership. “People can now manage their benefits in-person, by mail, by fax, by telephone, online and on their mobile phone using the Oregon ONE Mobile app, which is available in English and Spanish.”

Interview with OEP Director Singer available on YouTube

Oregon ONE Mobile app video on YouTube

New Oregon ONE Mobile app video link

• Create a ONE Online account.
• Access their existing ONE Online account.
• Report changes to household information including address, contact information and income.
• Upload requested documents using a smartphone camera.
• Get updates on application status and check if it is approved, denied, or pending, and what actions might need to be taken.
• See and download notices that were mailed.
• Find the next renewal date for their benefits.
• Get important, time-sensitive alerts and notifications about benefits on mobile devices.
• View benefit issuance history for food and cash payments.

People who serve as Authorized Representatives for people with benefits are also able to use the app.

How to manage your medical, food, cash and child care benefits: 

• By phone at: 1-800-699-9075. All relay calls accepted.
• Online at: benefits.oregon.gov
• Through the free Oregon ONE Mobile app available on Apple and Android app stores
• In person at an office near you: Find an office.
• In your language: Help in Your Language
• By mail at: ONE Customer Service Center, PO Box 14015, Salem, OR 97309
• By fax at: 503-378-5628

Resources to help meet basic needs

• Find food resources in your community: needfood.oregon.gov.
• Learn about government programs and community resources for older adults and people with disabilities: Aging and Disability Resource Connection of Oregon at 1-855-673-2372 or www.adrcoforegon.org.
• Dial 2-1-1, or text your zip code to 898-211, www.211info.org
• Find local resources and support by contacting your local Community Action Agency: www.caporegon.org/find-services/
• Oregon Department of Human Services help center 

About the Oregon Department of Human Services

The mission of the Oregon Department of Human Services is to help Oregonians in their own communities achieve well-being and independence through opportunities that protect, empower, respect choice and preserve dignity.

About the Oregon Eligibility Partnership

The Oregon Eligibility Partnership (OEP) is part of the Oregon Department of Human Services. OEP supports state staff who determine eligibility for people applying for and receiving medical, food, cash and child care benefits. It also manages the ONE Eligibility System used to process applications and deliver benefits to eligible individuals and families in Oregon. One in three people in Oregon receive benefits through the ONE Eligibility System. OEP administers the ONE Eligibility system in partnership with the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and the Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC).###