Benefits for seniors in Oregon

Medicaid for people 65 and over

Oregon's Medicaid program for people who are 65 or older, blind, or disabled is called OSIPM (Oregon Supplemental Income Program Medical). If you qualify, you get OHP coverage.

• Income (living at home): Your countable income must be at or below the SSI amount: $994 a month for one person, or $1,491 for a couple. Some income is not counted, so apply even if you are a little over.
• Savings and other assets: Up to $2,000 for one person, or $3,000 for a couple.

Long-term care Medicaid. Medicaid can pay for nursing home care, assisted living, adult foster care and in-home care. Your countable income must be at or below 300% of the full SSI amount for one person. If your income is higher, you may still qualify by setting up a special trust. The asset limits above apply. A spouse who stays at home can keep half of the couple's countable assets, at least $32,532 and up to $162,660, and may get part of your income. You may have to pay part of the cost of your care from your income.

Estate recovery. After you die, the state may ask your estate to repay Medicaid paid for you from age 55 on, such as nursing home, in-home and personal care services. It waits while your spouse is alive, and while you have a child under 21 or a child of any age who is blind or disabled. Heirs can ask for an undue hardship waiver.

Help paying Medicare costs

Oregon has the standard Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs). You must have Medicare Part A. Oregon uses the federal income limits (ODHS's chart is about $20 lower because the $20 that is not counted is already taken off).

• QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary): Pays your Part A and Part B premiums, deductibles and coinsurance. Income up to 100% of the poverty level: about $1,350 a month for one person, or $1,824 for a couple.
• SLMB (Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary): Pays your Part B premium. Income up to about $1,616 a month for one person, or $2,184 for a couple.
• SMF (called QI in most states): Pays your Part B premium. Income up to about $1,816 a month for one person, or $2,455 for a couple. Money for this program is limited each year, and it may close when it runs out.

Asset test: None. Oregon has no asset limit for these programs.

ODHS decides within 45 days. If you get any MSP, you also get Extra Help with drug costs automatically.

Prescription drug help

• Extra Help: The main help for people on Medicare is the federal Extra Help program. It lowers your Part D premium and copays. Income must be below 150% of the poverty level, about $23,940 a year for one person in 2026. OHP or an MSP gives it to you automatically.
• ArrayRx discount card: This free, state-sponsored card can lower what you pay for prescriptions at the pharmacy. Oregon residents who are uninsured or underinsured for drugs can get it, with no age or income limits. Sign up at arrayrxcard.com or call 1-800-913-4146. If you have Medicare Part D, you can use it for a drug your plan does not cover or when its price is lower. To count that cost toward your Part D spending, mail the receipt to your plan. A drug not on your plan's list does not count.

Extra state payment with SSI

Oregon does not add a monthly state payment to SSI for people living in their own home. If you live at home, your SSI is the federal amount, up to $994 a month for one person. Oregon runs its own state program (OSIP), which can make special-need payments, such as help with moving costs or home repairs. Ask your local ODHS office.

Food help

• SNAP food benefits: ODHS runs SNAP. Oregon uses a higher gross income limit for most households: $2,660 a month for one person (March 2026 to February 2027). Your home, car and bank savings usually do not count. Apply at benefits.oregon.gov or call 800-699-9075.
• Rules for people 60 and over: Out-of-pocket medical costs can raise your benefit. If your costs are more than $35 a month, you get a deduction of at least $170, or your actual costs if higher. Your full shelter costs can count. You can name a trusted person to shop for you.
• Senior Farm Direct Nutrition Program: If you are 62 or older and get SNAP or Medicaid, with income below 138% of the poverty level, you may get a booklet of $32 in vouchers for fresh fruit and vegetables from local farmers. Vouchers are used June through November. Funding is limited; people are invited by letter or email. Questions: 1-866-299-3562.
• Commodity Supplemental Food Program: Food boxes for people 60 and over with low income. The Oregon Food Bank runs it in 10 counties.
• Meals: For senior meal sites and home-delivered meals like Meals on Wheels, call the ADRC at 855-673-2372.

Help staying at home

• Medicaid in-home services: If you qualify for long-term care Medicaid, ODHS can pay a home care worker or agency to help with bathing, dressing, moving around and medicines.
• Oregon Project Independence (OPI): Help at home for adults who do not have Medicaid long-term care. It can cover personal care, housekeeping, home-delivered meals, rides and support for family caregivers. There are no income or asset limits. You pay a share on a sliding scale based on income. Some areas have waiting lists.
• OPI-M: A Medicaid-funded version with higher limits than regular OHP. For one person, gross income can be up to $5,320 a month in 2026, and assets up to $103,645 (July 2026 to June 2027). It also covers chores, adult day services, assistive devices and home changes. It is free if you qualify, and there is no estate recovery.
• PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly): For people 55 and over who need nursing home level care and can live safely at home with help. It is offered in all of Multnomah and Clatsop counties and parts of Washington, Clackamas, Tillamook, Jackson, Josephine and some other counties.
• Where to start: Call the ADRC at 855-673-2372, or your local Aging and People with Disabilities (APD) or Area Agency on Aging office.

Property tax and housing help

Oregon does not have a general senior homestead exemption. The main help is the Senior and Disabled Property Tax Deferral Program, run by the Oregon Department of Revenue.

• How it works: The state pays your county property taxes each November. A lien is placed on your home, and the state is repaid later. The amount owed grows with simple interest of 6% a year. It must be repaid when you sell the home, move out for non-medical reasons, or die, usually by August 15 of the next year. Heirs may be responsible for the debt.
• Who qualifies: You are 62 or older (or getting Social Security disability) by April 15. You have owned and lived in the home for at least five full years. Your 2025 household income is no more than $70,000. Your net worth is less than $500,000, not counting the home. You must have homeowners insurance. Most reverse mortgages are not allowed. Your home's value must be under a limit that depends on your county.
• When to apply: January 1 to April 15 at your county assessor's office. Late applications are taken until December 1 with a fee. You must recertify every two years.
• Questions: Deferral Unit, 503-945-8348 or 800-356-4222.

Help with energy bills

• LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program): Pays part of your heating or energy bill directly to your utility. It can also fix or replace an unsafe or broken heating system. Your household income must be at or below 60% of Oregon's median income; your local agency has the dollar chart.
• OEAP (Oregon Energy Assistance Program): Helps low-income customers of Pacific Power and Portland General Electric pay their electric bills.
• How to apply: Apply through your local Community Action Agency. Find yours at caporegon.org/find-help. Questions: Oregon Housing and Community Services, 1-800-453-5511, option 1.

Free help and counseling

• SHIBA (Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance): Oregon's free, unbiased Medicare counseling. SHIBA can help with Medicare choices, Medicare Savings Programs and Extra Help. Call 800-722-4134 (TTY 711), or email [email protected].
• Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC): Help finding home care, meals and other services. Call 855-673-2372 or visit adrcoforegon.org.

How to apply

Check what you may qualify for