Feed Hungry Veterans Act of 2025
The Feed Hungry Veterans Act of 2025 would expand eligibility for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits by broadening the definition of who counts as a “disabled veteran” for SNAP purposes. Specifically, it adds VA disability criteria—such as a service-connected rating of 60%+ or two disabilities with a combined 70%+ rating, plus recognition of catastrophically disabled or under-65 veterans who receive a VA pension under 38 U.S.C. 1521—as qualifying conditions. In effect, more veterans with significant service-connected disabilities could qualify for SNAP. The changes are part of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 and would take effect on October 1, 2030, giving time for implementation and any necessary program adjustments. The bill was introduced in the House on March 18, 2025, and referred to the Committee on Agriculture. It does not specify funding or a phase-in beyond the stated effective date, so the fiscal impact would depend on how many additional veterans qualify and enroll in SNAP.
Key Points
- 1Expands SNAP eligibility criteria to include disabled veterans meeting new VA disability thresholds:
- 2- At least one service-connected disability rated 60%+, or
- 3- Two or more service-connected disabilities with at least one rated 40%+ and a combined rating of 70%+.
- 4Adds additional categories to qualify as a disabled veteran for SNAP:
- 5- Catastrophically disabled (as determined by VA),
- 6- Under age 65 and receiving VA pension under 38 U.S.C. 1521.
- 7Updates the SNAP eligibility framework (Section 3(j)(4)) and aligns the list of eligible individuals in Section 6(d)(2) to include veterans described in the new subsections.
- 8Effective date set for October 1, 2030, meaning the expanded eligibility would begin in 2030 and not retroactive to earlier years.
- 9The bill is a revision to the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 and would require action by the Agriculture Committee and, if enacted, implementation by the SNAP program at the federal and state levels.