USDA FOOD DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM
The Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations is a program of the Food
and Nutrition Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This program provides
foods for good health to households living on Indian Reservations or near the
reservation of a Tribe of which they are members. For a household to qualify the
following must be met:
1. ADULT TRIBAL MEMBER
A. There must be at least ONE Tribal Member in the household.
B. That Tribal Member must be 18 years of age or older.
2. FOOD PROGRAM SERVICE AREA (15 Counties)
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A. ALL ELIGIBLE Tribal Members may be served in the six county service area,
(Washington, Marion, Yamhill, Polk, Tillamook, & Multnomah) .
Tribal Members receiving SSI in Multnomah County. are ineligible for this program.
B. Nine additional counties, (Benton, Lane, Linn, Lincoln, Clatsop, Coos, Douglas,
Clackamas, & Columbia) , are available for service with one restriction;
eligible Tribal Members living in these counties must reside outside the
city limits of a town with a population of more than 10,000 in order to
remain eligible.
3. FOOD STAMPS
A. You cannot participate in both the Food Stamp and Food Distribution Programs
during the same month. You may however, switch from one program to the
other with ten (10) days notice from month to month.
4. RESOURCES
A. All households may have up to $1750 worth of resources, i.e. cash, checking
or savings accounts, stocks, bonds, etc.
B. Households of two or more persons may have up to $3000, if at least one member
is age 60 or over.
5. INCOME
A. Your eligibility for commodities ia also based on how much income, such as
earnings or pensions, you have after deductions. Deductions from income are:
a. Twenty (20) percent of EARNED INCOME.
b. Child care or care for a disabled adult if these services are needed so
a household member can work, look for a job, get job training or go to
school .
B. Only households with net monthly income within the allowable limits may
qualify for commodities. The amount of income you are allowed and the
amount of food you can receive depends on the size of your household.
C. To determine your eligibility regarding your income, you must contact the
USDA Food Program Director, Donnita Burks, or the Part-Time Clerk, Denise
Wilson.
6. PROOF
A. Proof of income, such as pay stubs, or letters from Social Security.
B. Proof of the amount of resources.
C. Proof of Tribal enrollment.
D. Proof of the amount of money spent on child or disabled care.