Attention: We are getting a high number of calls and requests right now. This means it may take longer for us to get back to you. It can take up to several months to review, process and deliver supports.
If you need help right away, please check the list of resources at the bottom of this page.
We may need more information to process your request. If that happens, CareOregon will send you a letter asking for the details we need.
Please keep these documents ready (if they apply to your situation):
- Rental or lease agreement
- Eviction notice from the court
- Utility bill (like electricity, natural gas, water, sewer, garbage, phone, internet)
- Utility shut-off notice
- Storage unit bill
NOTE: Applying for Health Related Social Needs (HRSN) benefits is always free. If anyone asks you to pay money to apply, it’s a scam. CareOregon does not allow anyone else to charge members for help with HRSN benefits.
Why housing matters
Having a safe, steady place to live helps your health: your body, your mind and your social life.
Good housing helps people and communities stay healthy and do well.
Housing support
Not every request can be approved or funded.
Our team looks at each request one by one and decides what can be covered. It can take several months to review and process your request.
If you need help right away, please check the list of resources at the bottom of this page.
Some help may come from Health Related Social Needs (HRSN) housing supports benefits. To qualify, you must meet certain health or life situation rules set by the Oregon Health Authority (OHA).
You can read more in OHA’s Qualifying for Oregon Health Plan housing benefits document:
OHA’s Qualifying for Oregon Health Plan housing benefits (PDF)
Other help may come from Flexible Services. It can help with things that regular OHP benefits don’t cover. With Flexible Services, we decide each case based on your health and treatment plan.
Please see our Social Needs Assistance Guidelines for more details about who qualifies and what we can help with.
Social Needs Assistance Guidelines
This guide helps members understand what is needed to get supports from our Social Needs Assistance programs and benefits.
Housing support limits
| Support | What’s covered | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Rent help | Three to six months (depending on eligibility), including back rent | Once every three years |
| Utilities | Up to six months, including overdue bills | Once every three years |
| Home changes | As needed for medical reasons (examples: ramps, grip bars and cabinet handles) | As needed |
| Home repairs | Fixing problems in a home | Once |
| Hotel stays |
| Varies |
| Storage fees | Up to six months | Once every three years |
| Housing deposits | Available once | Once |
| Moving fees | Available once | Once |
We cannot pay for mortgage payments or building new houses.
See the Social Needs Assistance Guidelines above for all limitations and exclusions.
Process and timeline
You can download this image as a PDF:
Health Related Social Needs (HRSN) Benefits Process Steps
This document explains the steps and process that happens when you apply for HRSN benefits.
Am I eligible for housing support?
To qualify for HRSN or Flexible Services housing help, you must:
- Be a current member
- Not be able to get this help anywhere else
- Have a medical need or life situation that qualifies
- Send in all the required paperwork
How do I request housing support?
If you meet the requirements listed above, click the button below to fill out the online digital housing support request form.
Digital housing support request form
We will review your request to see if it qualifies for Health Related Social Needs (HRSN) or Flexible Services. Filling out the form does not guarantee approval.
If you prefer, you can also download and fill out the Housing Request Form (PDF) instead.
Also, you will need to download and fill out the Health Related Income/Budget Worksheet and submit it with your request. You can find this document below in the language of your choice.
- Health Related Income/Budget Worksheet - English
- Health Related Income/Budget Worksheet - Spanish
- Health Related Income/Budget Worksheet - Russian
- Health Related Income/Budget Worksheet - Vietnamese
- Health Related Income/Budget Worksheet - Dari
- Health Related Income/Budget Worksheet - Somali
- Health Related Income/Budget Worksheet - Simplified Chinese
- Health Related Income/Budget Worksheet - Traditional Chinese
- Health Related Income/Budget Worksheet - Arabic
Health Related Income/Budget Worksheet
You can fill out these forms yourself, or with the help of a parent, a caregiver, trusted friend, guardian or a staff member from an organization or clinic.
If you have questions or would like our help filling out the forms, call CareOregon Customer Service. Press option 1 for “member,” then option 6 for “social needs.”
Send your request form to CareOregon Customer Service by one of the following:
- Email: hrsncx@careoregon.org
- Fax: 503-416-1376
- Member portal
Documents related to your request should be uploaded in advance. They can be emailed to hrsncx@careoregon.org or uploaded to the member portal.
Uploading documents using the member portal
- Go to the message center and click "new message"
- Click "add recipients" and select "Health Related Services Requests"
- Add “HRSN” in the subject line and attach the file(s) to the message using the attach file feature
- Add any other context and click "send"
Other housing resources
If you need emergency help to stop eviction, or are already homeless, here are some resources that may help.
- 211 info is a service that connects you with community services and assistance for rent, utility bills and emergency cash. Find their contact information below.
- Community Alliance of Tenants has a Know Your Rights resource page for Oregon renters.
- For housing services, use this Community Action Partnership of Oregon tool to look up and contact your local Community Action Agency.
