FNS will use the work of this task force to inform and improve our efforts to reach disabled veterans and their families. To that end, the USDA Veterans, Reservists and Military Families Task Force is working to identify key data and research gaps that will inform our understanding of the needs of veterans, reservists and military families. We need to learn more about the needs and barriers to access that this population faces in order to provide education to disabled veterans and their families, so they can make informed decisions about participating in SNAP.
While our data is limited on the number of disabled veterans who are eligible for or are receiving SNAP benefits, we do know that in Fiscal Year 2011 (October 2011 to September 2012), less than one percent of SNAP households received veterans benefits. Third, we are working with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to cross-promote benefits and resources available to disabled veterans and to identify new areas of collaboration. This brochure, and others, can be ordered or downloaded.
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Second, FNS collaborated with the Veterans Affairs Readjustment Counseling Service, placing “ How to Get Food Help” – a food assistance brochure – in 300 readjustment centers and 70 mobile veteran centers located throughout the United States, Puerto Rico and Guam. While these are not new policies, the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) saw an opportunity to look at how we reach out to those who sacrificed for our freedom and to consider opportunities that might improve how we communicate.įirst, FNS developed a website ( ) to acknowledge the sacrifice and service of our troops and veterans and to assist those who may be newly eligible for programs as they navigate the network of services and resources. The disabled veteran or surviving spouse will also have a higher resource limit, as do all households with someone over 60 or someone who has a disability. If a veteran (or a surviving spouse) is receiving disability payments or payments for aid and attendance for a person with a disability, this person is considered “disabled” for SNAP purposes and does not have to meet the gross income limit. Additionally, there are specific provisions regarding disability and veterans. There are two income tests for applicants – for most households, income must be below both a gross income limit and net income limit, but for households with someone with a disability or a person age 60 or older, only a net income limit must be met. Whether a bump or a mountain, SNAP is available to all military families and veterans who meet program eligibility criteria for the period of time they are in need. His definition of disability struck me as an important reminder that being in need is not an indication of status, but is instead a challenge that many Americans, including many returning troops, must meet every day. This could be a bump in life that can be managed, or a mountain that creates serious changes and loss. Either way, this term should not be used to describe a person as weaker or lesser than anyone else!” Connell says, “What is a disability? In general, the term disability is often used to describe a physical or mental challenge.
I recently read a post by Wayne Connell, founder and president of the Invisible Disabilities Association. And this is a place where we determined in 2012 to do better – serving veterans, especially our wounded warriors, in their time of need. SNAP is there for those who need it, including our veterans and their families. SNAP continues to be the cornerstone of the national hunger safety net by helping those in need put healthy food on the table.
However, overall the program grew at a slower rate and even flattened toward the end of the year. Program participation increased in response to natural disasters, such as Hurricane Isaac in Louisiana and Hurricane Sandy in the New England states. The need for food assistance remained high in 2012, with an average of 47 million people participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) every month. Today, I was thinking about the last entry I wrote for ’s blog just about a year ago and considering our accomplishments in 2012 and the opportunities that are ahead for 2013.
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