WASHINGTON – Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema cosponsored the Military Hunger Prevention Act—bipartisan legislation that allows Arizona servicemembers living below the federal poverty line to participate in federal nutrition programs.
“Arizona servicemembers put their lives on the line to defend our freedoms and keep our country safe. We’re opening up access to federal nutrition programs to ensure our troops can feed themselves and their families and stay healthy,” said Sinema.
The Military Hunger Prevention Act provides a Basic Needs Allowance for active servicemembers with a gross household income below or equal to 130% of the federal poverty guidelines. The bipartisan legislation also requires the Director of the Defense Finance and Accounting Service to annually notify eligible servicemembers that they may be able to receive this benefit.
Servicemembers face unintended barriers to family assistance. Currently, servicemembers’ housing allowance counts as revenue in the process for determining eligibility for federal nutrition programs. A recent Military Family Advisory Network survey found that 12% of respondents reported food insecurity and 24% reported that their children are receiving free or reduced meals. The Sinema-backed Military Hunger Prevention Act addresses one of these obstacles preventing Arizona servicemembers from utilizing the benefits they have earned and actively combats food insecurity.
