# Military Hunger Prevention Act

This bill addresses food insecurity among military families by requiring the Department of Defense to expand access to nutrition assistance programs for service members and their dependents who struggle to afford groceries. Essentially, it recognizes that some military families—particularly those with lower ranks and pay—sometimes don't have enough money to put food on the table, and the bill aims to make it easier for them to get help.

The legislation works by ensuring that eligible military families can access federal nutrition programs like SNAP (the food stamp program) and WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) without unnecessary barriers. It also directs the military to provide better information to service members about what assistance programs exist and how to apply for them. Additionally, the bill may establish or expand on-base food pantries and other resources so military families have immediate access to food when they need it.

Who does this affect? Primarily active-duty military members and their families who earn lower wages, military retirees with limited income, and military families living in areas where the cost of living is particularly high. The bill recognizes that military service doesn't always pay enough to cover basic living expenses, especially for younger enlisted personnel supporting families. By making nutrition assistance more accessible, the bill aims to reduce the stress and hardship that food insecurity creates for military households, allowing service members to focus on their duties rather than worrying about feeding their families.

Military Hunger Prevention Act

Duckworth, Tammy

Military Hunger Prevention Act This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to pay a basic needs allowance to certain low-income members of the Armed Forces. Specifically, those eligible for the basic needs allowance are members who (1) have completed initial entry training, (2) have a gross household income that did not exceed an amount equal to 130% of the federal poverty guidelines of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and (3) do not elect to decline the allowance. In situations where a household contains two or more eligible members, the bill specifies that only one allowance may be paid per year to one member they jointly elect. The amount of the allowance must be the aggregate amount equal to 130% of the HHS federal poverty guidelines minus the gross household income of the covered member during the preceding year divided by 12. The Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) of DOD must notify, in writing, individuals determined to be eligible for the allowance. The notice must include information regarding financial management and assistance programs administered by DOD for which the individuals are also eligible. Individuals who seek to receive the allowance must submit specified information to DFAS.