Bill Summary
The "Feed Hungry Veterans Act of 2025" is a proposed amendment to the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 aimed at expanding eligibility for supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) benefits specifically for disabled veterans.
Key provisions of the bill include:
1. **Eligibility Criteria**: The bill modifies the criteria under which disabled veterans can qualify for SNAP benefits. Veterans will be eligible if they:
- Have at least one service-connected disability rated at 60% or higher,
- Have two or more service-connected disabilities with a specific combined rating,
- Are determined to be catastrophically disabled, or
- Are under 65 and receive a pension.
2. **Inclusion in SNAP**: The legislation ensures that veterans meeting the new criteria are included in the SNAP program.
3. **Effective Date**: The amendments will take effect on October 1, 2030.
Overall, the bill seeks to provide additional support to veterans with disabilities, addressing food insecurity among this population.
Possible Impacts
The "Feed Hungry Veterans Act of 2025" proposes amendments to the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 that expand eligibility for supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) benefits to disabled veterans. Here are three examples of how this legislation could affect people:
1. **Increased Access to Nutritional Support**: Disabled veterans who meet the newly defined criteria (e.g., having a service-connected disability rated at 60% or higher, or being catastrophically disabled) will gain access to essential nutritional assistance. This support can significantly improve their quality of life by providing them with the resources to afford healthy food, thereby helping them maintain better health and well-being.
2. **Financial Relief for Families**: Many disabled veterans often face financial constraints due to their disabilities and may struggle to make ends meet. By expanding SNAP eligibility, the Act can provide crucial financial relief to these veterans and their families. This additional financial support can help them alleviate stress related to food insecurity, allowing them to allocate resources to other pressing needs such as housing, medical care, or education.
3. **Long-term Health Benefits**: Improved access to nutritional assistance can lead to better health outcomes for disabled veterans. Proper nutrition is vital for managing health conditions and promoting recovery. By ensuring that these veterans have the means to purchase nutritious food, the legislation could contribute to reducing healthcare costs in the long run, as better nutrition can help prevent chronic diseases and improve overall health, reducing the need for medical interventions.
In summary, the legislation aims to improve the lives of disabled veterans through enhanced nutritional assistance, resulting in better health, financial stability, and overall well-being.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2195 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2195
To amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to expand the eligibility
of disabled veterans to receive supplemental nutrition assistance
program benefits.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 18, 2025
Mrs. Hayes (for herself, Mr. David Scott of Georgia, Ms. Adams, Ms.
Ansari, Ms. Brown, Ms. Brownley, Ms. Budzinski, Mr. Carbajal, Mr.
Carson, Mr. Casar, Mrs. Cherfilus-McCormick, Mr. Cohen, Mr. Costa, Mr.
Courtney, Ms. Crockett, Mr. Davis of North Carolina, Ms. Garcia of
Texas, Mr. Goldman of New York, Mr. Gottheimer, Mr. Jackson of
Illinois, Mr. Johnson of Georgia, Mr. Kennedy of New York, Mr. Khanna,
Mr. Landsman, Mrs. McClain Delaney, Mr. McGarvey, Mr. McGovern, Mrs.
McIver, Ms. Moore of Wisconsin, Mr. Moulton, Mr. Neal, Ms. Norton, Ms.
Ocasio-Cortez, Mr. Peters, Ms. Pingree, Ms. Plaskett, Mr. Pocan, Mrs.
Ramirez, Mr. Riley of New York, Ms. Ross, Ms. Salinas, Ms. Sanchez, Ms.
Scanlon, Mr. Scott of Virginia, Ms. Sherrill, Mr. Smith of Washington,
Ms. Stansbury, Mr. Thanedar, Mr. Thompson of Mississippi, Ms. Titus,
Ms. Tlaib, Ms. Tokuda, Mr. Tonko, and Mr. Vargas) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to expand the eligibility
of disabled veterans to receive supplemental nutrition assistance
program benefits.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Feed Hungry Veterans Act of 2025''.
SEC. 2. AMENDMENTS.
The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.) is
amended--
(1) in section 3(j)(4)--
(A) by amending subparagraph (A) to read as
follows:
``(A) has at least--
``(i) one service-connected disability
which is rated at 60 percent or higher under
title 38, United States Code; or
``(ii) two or more service-connected
disabilities, at least one of which is rated at
40 percent or higher and the combined rating is
70 percent or higher under such title;'', and
(B) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the
following:
``(C) has a determination of being catastrophically
disabled under such title; or
``(D) is under the age of 65 and receiving a
pension under section 1521 of such title;'', and
(2) in the 1st sentence of section 6(d)(2)--
(A) by striking ``or (F)'' and inserting ``(F)'',
and
(B) by inserting before the period at the end the
following:
``; or (G) a veteran described in subparagraph (A), (B), (C), or (D) of
section 3(j)(4)''.
SEC. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE; APPLICATION OF AMENDMENTS.
This Act, and the amendments made by this Act, shall take effect on
October 1, 2030.
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