# Military Food Security Act of 2023

This bill addresses food insecurity among military service members by changing how the government calculates whether soldiers, sailors, and airmen qualify for emergency financial assistance. Right now, when the military determines if a service member needs help buying food or other basic necessities, it counts their housing allowance as part of their income. This bill removes housing allowance from that calculation, making it easier for struggling military families to qualify for the basic needs allowance—a program that provides emergency financial support.

The practical effect is straightforward: military members who currently don't qualify for assistance because their housing allowance pushes their "income" too high will now have a better chance of getting help. For example, a junior enlisted soldier with a family might receive a housing allowance of $1,500 per month, but if their actual take-home pay is low, that housing allowance currently counts against them when they apply for food assistance. Under this bill, only their actual paycheck would be considered, not the housing money (which goes directly to pay rent anyway). This means more military families struggling to put food on the table could access the support they need without having to choose between paying for housing and buying groceries.

The bill targets a real problem: food insecurity has been documented among active-duty military families, particularly those in lower ranks with dependents. By adjusting how the government measures financial need, this legislation aims to ensure that the basic needs allowance reaches the service members who truly need it most.

Military Food Security Act of 2023

Panetta, Jimmy

Military Food Security Act of 2023 This bill modifies how gross household income is calculated for purposes of determining a servicemember's eligibility for a basic needs allowance (i.e., a supplemental monthly payment for basic needs) from the military department concerned. Under the bill, gross household income is calculated by subtracting the basic housing allowance paid to any servicemember from their household income.