Should more troops become eligible for food stamps?

SP5 Mark Kuzinski — Tue, 29 Nov 2016 18:11:52 -0500

Despite steep pay raises since the 9/11 terror attacks, too many military personnel still struggle to feed their families and need an easier way to get food stamps, according to a new bill from a San Diego congresswoman (Susan Davis). Is this needed and Should More Troops Become Eligible for Food Stamps?

Response by SFC George Smith made Nov 29 at 2016 6:17 PM

SFC George Smith — Tue, 29 Nov 2016 18:17:00 -0500

this is most interesting ... at one Time during the Clinton administration they were... and I think they were during the Carter administration ... the Lower Ranks with children
because of the Pay and Promotion Freezes the Kids were in bad financial condition...
This is as a result of the BHO Regime choking the Pay raises to less than the Cost of Living Increases...

Response by Maj Marty Hogan made Nov 29 at 2016 6:18 PM

Maj Marty Hogan — Tue, 29 Nov 2016 18:18:35 -0500

Which should make the government feel good that people in their employ (in harms way too) should be on subsistence of any kind. Great job entitlement society. Steep pay raises- I am a dual status tech in the Guard...I don't remember anything to steep. We had a pay freeze from 2010 until Jan this last year of 1.3%. I guess steepness is relative.

Response by CW4 Guy Butler made Nov 29 at 2016 9:13 PM

CW4 Guy Butler — Tue, 29 Nov 2016 21:13:01 -0500

Here's a link to the story that goes with this:

http://www.military.com/daily-news/2016/11/29/should-more-troops-become-eligible-food-stamps.html

Should More Troops Become Eligible for Food Stamps?

Too many troops still struggle to feed their families and need an easier way to get food stamps, according to a new bill.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Nov 30 at 2016 1:38 AM

Capt Seid Waddell — Wed, 30 Nov 2016 01:38:04 -0500

It is a sorry statement about our country that they need it - but since they do have the need they should get it.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2016 9:01 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Nov 2016 09:01:19 -0500

Only if they are on Reserve or Guard status. If you're on active duty, NO

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2016 11:38 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Nov 2016 11:38:57 -0500

Another program that I found interesting is that when I was stationed overseas I was eligible for the WIC program as a new single mom but when I returned stateside I "made too much money" (same paygrade) to qualify. I have no idea how I would have made it without the help of WIC the first 14 months of my daughter's life. These are things that definitely need a hard look at. Easy to say for those of us of higher paygrades with smaller families but our junior personnel with larger families shouldn't suffer because it "looks" bad. If it looks bad, well then fix it.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Nov 30 at 2016 2:02 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Wed, 30 Nov 2016 14:02:57 -0500

SP5 Mark Kuzinski I am voting no only because I hope and pray that Congress and incoming President Donald Trump will (1) raise military pay to at least catch up the civilian counterparts and (2) increase basic Subsistence Allowance for service members with dependents to the point that no young soldiers will need to purchase food stamps to support their families.

Response by SPC Sheila Lewis made Nov 30 at 2016 3:56 PM

SPC Sheila Lewis — Wed, 30 Nov 2016 15:56:39 -0500

From personal experience, it is better to avoid this and live within your means. I understand individual cases differ from each other but any form of welfare should be a last resort not a first option.

Response by Maj John Bell made Nov 30 at 2016 11:02 PM

Maj John Bell — Wed, 30 Nov 2016 23:02:03 -0500

The thought that anyone serving their country in the US military should qualify for food stamps should be a national embarrassment.

Response by SSG Jeremy Sharp made Dec 1 at 2016 12:11 AM

SSG Jeremy Sharp — Thu, 01 Dec 2016 00:11:23 -0500

Many more soldiers qualify for but don't apply for food stamps and other related programs. When
I was a lower enlisted service member stationed in New York City, I was qualified for may of the programs but pridefully refused to make application because I wanted to escape the negative connotation associated with the programs and those that accepted the help.

Response by MSgt Wayne Morris made Dec 1 at 2016 6:50 AM

MSgt Wayne Morris — Thu, 01 Dec 2016 06:50:48 -0500

I have kept up with the military pay structure and while you won't get rich most should be able to live well enough with some common sense budgeting and shopping smartly. Don't mean to pick on anyone, but on the rare occasion I end up on a military installation, just looking at what is sitting in the parking lots the troops seem to be getting along all right.

Response by SPC Brian Mason made Dec 2 at 2016 12:49 PM

SPC Brian Mason — Fri, 02 Dec 2016 12:49:09 -0500

Yes. Pay wasn't adequate when I joined and left and it still isn't.

Response by SGT Scott Henderson made Dec 8 at 2016 2:16 PM

SGT Scott Henderson — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 14:16:19 -0500

Anyone who legitimately qualifies should get it. I say "legitimately" because those welfare moms whose sole purpose seems to be pumping out a kid every nine months would take even more advantage of the system than they already do. I'm talking about hard working people who simply don't make enough.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 5 at 2019 1:45 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 05 Apr 2019 13:45:14 -0400

Young soldiers with several dependents can go to Finance to see how they compare with the national poverty line and may receive extra pay: "Family Subsistence Supplemental Allowance," of up to $1,100 per month. Pass this around.