[motherof 3]

Are military families living on food stamps?

[God'sgrrl]

Apparently “ALL” of them.

[Secret Agent Man]

Yes, some are. Generally the lower the rank, the more probable that this occurs.

[Texas_shutterbug]

Yes, a number of families in the lower ranks are living on food stamps.

Or as told to me by an army ranger, "If Uncle Sam wanted them to have wives, they would have been issued one at basic."

Personally, I think it's a travesty that they need food stamps to get by. :(

[VA Red]

Yes, low ranking enlisted with a nonworking spouse and children fall into the threshold of food stamps. It's all about personal choices. It can be challenging for young people just starting out - but no one stands still.

[Jacquerie]

Too many do so. It is a shame because pay and benefits are known. The military should once again regard marriage as a privilege and not a right.

In the late ‘80s The Commandant of the Marine Corps tried to limit marriage to higher ranks, but was overruled by Rep Pat Schroeder and her merry band of congressional rats.

[Anitius Severinus Boethius]

Yes, in the 90’s there was a change in the way taxes were handled if you were in the military. From what I remember, before the change no one who served in the military was charged taxes on the health care benefits of their dependents. When that changed, and military personnel had to start paying taxes for the benefits of their wives and children, it drove many E-3’s and below into the “food stamp” range of income.

[silverleaf]

yes, there are some that qualify, if they are young, low ranking enlisted, married with kids

There are going to be lot more retirees eligible if bambi rams thru his cuts in veterans and retirees TRICARE and MEDICARE health care
(the only segment of our population, by the way, for whom bambi is seeking to make heaath care cost More- a LOT more)

[Marie]

There are some lower enlisted that qualify.

Hubby and I were on WIC for a brief period years ago.

[zimfam007]

I thought I would post this to you, but I am also addressing the other Freepers that have responded to you... an E1 makes 1399 up to 1568/mo BEFORE taxes which is approxmiately 16,800-18816/yr. and an E4 makes ~2127/mo or ~25524/yr. This is no where near “easy” street. Granted, families do receive money for housing based on rank, dependents vs no dependents and the area that you live in with a few other benefits.... but this is no where close to what a freshman congress(wo)man makes a year. So to all of you who sit there and pass judgment on these soldiers with families b/c they receive food stamps.... at least they are working defending EVERY American’s freedom... putting their lives on the lines verses the out-of-work baby factories receiving governmental assistance. And I cannot believe those of you in here saying that these people know what they are getting into and should wait to have families.... WTF???? I would gladly give my tax dollars to help the family of a servicemember ANYDAY than these suckass “americans” that want to take food out of the mouth of my children so that I can pay for their wreckless spending habits. Man I almost thought I was on DU......