Cash help and tax credits in Oregon

Cash help comes from two directions: monthly benefit programs (TANF for families, SSI for people with disabilities and low income, unemployment insurance after a job loss) and once-a-year tax credits you claim by filing — even when you owe no tax.

The tax credits are the most-missed money on this whole site. The federal EITC plus the Oregon Kids Credit can add up to thousands of dollars, and free tax-prep sites will do the paperwork with you.

Not sure which of these fit you? Answer a few questionsand we’ll rank all of them for your household.

27 programs

• Federal Child Tax Credit

  A tax credit for each child under 17 — up to $2,200 per child, and up to $1,700 of it is refundable, so you can get money back even if you owe little or no tax. Separate from the Oregon Kids Credit.

  For: Families with kids — families with a child under 17 who has a social security number; the refundable part needs at least $2,500 of earnings; income up to $200,000 ($400,000 married) · verified 2026-07-19

• Federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

  A refundable federal tax credit for working people with low to moderate income — can boost your refund

  For: Working people with low-to-moderate income (the amount depends on your income and how many children you have) · verified 2026-07-19

• Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) for federal student loans

  Caps your monthly federal student-loan payment as a share of your income and family size instead of your balance. Low-income borrowers can pay $0/month, and any balance left is forgiven after 20–25 years.

  For: Anyone with federal student loans — your payment is set by your income and family size, and can be $0 · verified 2026-07-19

• MFS CASH Oregon — Free Tax Prep & ITIN Help

  Free federal and state tax filing by certified volunteers, plus help applying for or renewing an ITIN so you can file and claim credits.

  For: Homes making under about $5,750 a month · verified 2026-07-19

• Oregon TANF & JOBS Program

  Monthly cash for low-income families with children, plus JOBS help with transportation, car repairs, child care, and job training.

  For: Families with kids — families responsible for a child under 19, unemployed or underemployed with low income and assets · verified 2026-07-06

• Oregon Unemployment Insurance

  Weekly cash benefits if you lost a job or had hours cut through no fault of your own. Apply through Frances Online.

  For: Workers who lost a job or hours through no fault of their own and are able, available, and looking for work · verified 2026-07-19

• Paid Leave Oregon

  Weekly income replacement while you're off work to bond with a new child, deal with a serious health condition, or take safe leave from domestic violence or assault — up to 12 weeks a year (14 weeks for some pregnancy-related needs), with your job protected if you've worked for your employer at least 90 days.

  For: Workers in oregon who earned at least $1,000 in oregon in the year before applying (their base year) · verified 2026-07-19

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

  A monthly federal cash payment (up to about $994 a month for one person in 2026) for basics like food and housing. In Oregon you may also get a small state add-on, and SSI usually comes with the Oregon Health Plan.

  For: People 65 or older or people with a disability — people with very little income and under about $2,000 in savings ($3,000 for a couple) — no work history needed · verified 2026-07-06

• American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC)

  An education tax credit worth up to $2,500 per student for the first four years of college; up to $1,000 is refundable, so it can pay out even if you owe no tax.

  For: Students (you or a dependent) in their first four years of college, at least half-time, with income under $90,000 ($180,000 married) · verified 2026-07-06

• Disabled Veteran or Surviving Spouse Property Tax Exemption

  Exempts part of your home's value (about $27,000–$32,000, rising yearly) from property taxes. File with your county assessor.

  For: Veterans, and people who own their home — veterans certified 40% or more disabled who own and live in their home, and some surviving spouses · verified 2026-07-06

• Federal Child and Dependent Care Credit

  A credit for part (20%–35%) of what you pay for care of a child under 13 or a disabled dependent so you can work or look for work. (Oregon's WFHDC is the refundable companion.)

  For: Filers with earned income who paid for care of a child under 13 or a disabled dependent so they could work · verified 2026-07-06

• LASO Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic

  Free legal representation in tax disputes with the IRS or Oregon Department of Revenue.

  For: Low-income taxpayers, or those whose first language isn't english, with an irs or state tax dispute · verified 2026-07-06

• Oregon Earned Income Credit (EIC)

  Oregon adds its own credit on top of your federal EITC — 9% of your federal EITC, or 12% if you have a dependent under 3

  For: People who qualify for the federal eitc · verified 2026-07-05

• Oregon IDA Initiative (Individual Development Accounts)

  Matched savings toward a home, education, or business (often $5 for every $1 saved), plus financial coaching.

  For: Oregonians with low-to-moderate income saving toward a home, school, or business · verified 2026-07-06

• Oregon Kids Credit

  Refundable $1,050-per-child tax credit for kids ages 0-5 (up to 5 kids) — full amount if your modified AGI is $26,550 or less, phasing out above that

  For: Families with kids, and homes making under about $2,210 a month — families with children ages 0 to 5 · verified 2026-07-19

• Oregon Senior & Disabled Property Tax Deferral

  The state pays your county property tax (a 6% lien accrues)

  For: People who own their home, and people 62 or older or people with a disability, and homes making under about $5,830 a month · verified 2026-07-06

• Oregon Work Incentives Network (WIN) Benefits Counseling

  Free certified counseling on how earning wages affects your SSI, SSDI, Medicaid, and other benefits — so you can work without losing coverage.

  For: People on ssi or ssdi who are working or want to work · verified 2026-07-06

• Oregon Working Family Household and Dependent Care Credit (WFHDC)

  A refundable Oregon credit that helps pay for care of your dependents so you can work, look for work, or go to school. Any amount beyond the tax you owe is paid to you.

  For: Homes making under about $3,990 a month (for 1 person) — families paying for care of a child or a disabled dependent so they can work, job-hunt, or attend school · verified 2026-07-06

• OregonSaves State Retirement Savings

  A Roth IRA funded through payroll deductions, so you can save for retirement even if your employer offers no plan. The account stays with you.

  For: Private-sector workers whose employer offers no retirement plan (or anyone who signs up) · verified 2026-07-06

• Portland Arts Tax Exemption

  Skip Portland's $35 Arts Tax if your household is at or below the poverty line, or your only income is Social Security, SSI, PERS, or VA disability. File a short form each year.

  For: Homes making under about $1,330 a month (for 1 person), and people 70 or older or people with a disability · verified 2026-07-05

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

  Forgives your entire remaining federal Direct Loan balance, tax-free, after about 10 years (120 payments) of full-time work for government or a nonprofit.

  For: People with federal direct loans who work full-time for government, tribal government, the military, or a qualifying nonprofit · verified 2026-07-06

• Saver's Credit (Retirement Savings Contributions Credit)

  A tax credit worth 10%–50% of what you put into a retirement account (IRA, 401(k), OregonSaves), up to a $1,000 credit ($2,000 married). Reduces the tax you owe.

  For: Low-income workers 18+ who aren't full-time students or a dependent, and who put money into a retirement account (the irs sets yearly income limits) · verified 2026-07-06

• Siletz Tribal TANF / 477 Self-Sufficiency Program

  Tribal cash assistance (on a prepaid card), work experience, and self-sufficiency support for Native families.

  For: Families with kids — native american, alaska native, and native hawaiian families in the siletz tribe's 11-county service area · verified 2026-07-06

• AARP Foundation Tax-Aide

  Free in-person, drop-off, and online tax preparation by IRS-certified volunteers. No AARP membership needed.

  For: Anyone who needs it — no application · verified 2026-07-06

• Bank On Oregon

  Help finding a checking account with no overdraft fees, no low-balance fee, and a low or waivable monthly fee.

  For: Anyone who needs it — no application · verified 2026-07-06

• Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance

  Monthly financial help for essential needs like food, clothing, shelter, and utilities for people who can't get TANF.

  For: Enrolled members of a federally recognized tribe in a bia service area who can't get tanf · verified 2026-07-06

• Oregon Child Support Order Modification

  A free review and possible change of a child or medical support order so payments match your current income.

  For: A parent with an oregon support order, 35 months after it took effect or sooner with a big change in circumstances · verified 2026-07-06