SNAP Funding Crisis Threatens to Deepen Food Insecurity Among Military Families

As the federal government faces mounting uncertainty over Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding, tens of thousands of military families could soon face severe food insecurity. Federal judges in Massachusetts and Rhode Island on Friday ordered the Trump administration to use $5.3 billion in emergency funds to partially cover benefits for November — only about half the $9 billion needed.

The partial funding leaves millions of Americans, including service members and veterans, at risk. “We’re hearing in real time stories from families that are incredibly alarming,” said Kara Pappas of the Military Family Advisory Network (MFAN). “Families already living paycheck to paycheck are being pushed over the edge.”

Military households are particularly vulnerable because of the intersection of low pay, employment instability, and reliance on federal programs. Around 27% of military spouses work in federal government roles and may be furloughed, cutting off secondary income. Meanwhile, some Guard and Reserve members have reported missed or incorrect pay during the shutdown.

According to USDA and MFAN data, one in four military households already experiences food insecurity during normal operations. Food insecurity among veterans is similarly widespread — over one million are affected, with many not receiving SNAP or related benefits, according to a 2023 Rand Corp. study.

The strain is rippling through community support systems. The Armed Services YMCA has reported a 30% increase in demand at food banks near bases. “It’s all trickling down to impossible choices — paying bills or putting food on the table,” said Pappas.

MFAN’s emergency grocery program, designed to help families moving between bases, was repurposed in mid-October to ship food directly to those in need. Within 72 hours of opening, 50,000 families applied. “It far outpaced our expectations,” Pappas said. The organization has since distributed 5,000 food boxes but has paused new applications due to lack of funding.

Experts say that the crisis underscores a broader public health issue: food insecurity among those who serve. Studies have linked food insecurity to higher rates of depression, poor nutrition, and long-term health problems. If SNAP funding remains uncertain, advocates warn, the health toll could deepen across the military and veteran community.

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