Feed Hungry Veterans Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 2195

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Agriculture and Food

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-04-04: Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture.

Last Updated

2026-06-19T08:06:28Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The "Feed Hungry Veterans Act of 2025" (H.R. 2195) aims to broaden access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps) for certain disabled veterans by updating eligibility rules in the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008. It seeks to address food insecurity among veterans with service-related disabilities by making it easier for them to qualify for these benefits without facing certain work requirements.

Key Provisions

• Expanded Definition of Eligible Disabled Veterans (Section 3(j)(4) of the Food and Nutrition Act):
• Veterans qualify if they have at least one service-connected disability (a health condition linked to military service) rated at 60% or higher by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), or two or more such disabilities where at least one is rated 40% or higher and the combined rating is 70% or higher.
• New additions include veterans determined to be "catastrophically disabled" by the VA (meaning they have severe, life-altering disabilities from service), or veterans under age 65 who receive a VA pension under section 1521 of title 38, United States Code (a program providing financial support to low-income wartime veterans).
• Exemption from Work Requirements (Section 6(d)(2) of the Food and Nutrition Act):
• These qualifying veterans are exempt from SNAP's standard work requirements, which typically mandate job searching or employment for able-bodied adults without dependents.
• Effective Date:
• The changes take effect on October 1, 2030, allowing time for implementation.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Previously, SNAP eligibility for disabled veterans was limited to those with a single disability rated 100% or totally disabled, or specific other categories. This bill lowers the threshold by including veterans with 60%+ ratings or combined 70%+ ratings, and adds categories for catastrophically disabled individuals and younger pension recipients.
• It extends work exemptions to these new groups, reducing barriers that might have previously disqualified some veterans due to their disabilities.
• No changes to overall SNAP funding or benefit amounts; the focus is solely on eligibility expansion for this veteran subgroup.

Potential Impacts

• On Citizens: More disabled veterans (potentially thousands, based on VA disability ratings) could access SNAP benefits, helping alleviate hunger and nutritional needs for those facing economic challenges due to service-related disabilities. This may improve health outcomes and financial stability for affected veterans and their families.
• On Government Agencies: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which oversees SNAP, and state agencies administering the program will need to update eligibility verification processes, train staff on VA disability criteria, and integrate data sharing with the VA. This could increase program enrollment and administrative costs starting in 2030.
• On International Relations: No direct impact, as the bill is domestic and focused on U.S. veterans.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Disabled Veterans: Primary beneficiaries, including those with moderate to severe service-connected disabilities or receiving VA pensions, who may gain easier access to food assistance.
• Veterans Affairs Department (VA): Involved in verifying disability ratings and pension status for SNAP eligibility.
• USDA and State SNAP Agencies: Responsible for implementing changes, processing applications, and managing exemptions.
• Veteran Advocacy Groups: Organizations like the American Legion or Disabled American Veterans may support or monitor the bill's rollout.
• Congressional Supporters: Introduced by Rep. Jahana Hayes (D-CT) and over 40 bipartisan co-sponsors, indicating interest from lawmakers focused on veterans' issues.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Strengthens integration between VA benefits and federal nutrition programs by referencing VA disability standards directly in SNAP law, potentially streamlining applications but requiring better inter-agency coordination to avoid disputes over ratings.
• Constitutional: No major issues; the bill aligns with Congress's authority under the Spending Clause to regulate welfare programs and support veterans, without infringing on individual rights.
• Political: Highlights ongoing bipartisan emphasis on veteran welfare, as evidenced by the diverse co-sponsors. The delayed effective date (2030) suggests a measured approach to budgeting and implementation, possibly tying into future farm bill reauthorizations that fund SNAP. It could set a precedent for expanding benefits based on disability severity rather than absolute totals.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5]

Cosponsors (67)

Rep. Scott, David [D-GA-13], Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12], Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3], Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Rep. Budzinski, Nikki [D-IL-13], Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Casar, Greg [D-TX-35], Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21], Rep. Courtney, Joe [D-CT-2], Rep. Crockett, Jasmine [D-TX-30], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1], Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26], Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17], Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1], Rep. McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6], Rep. McGarvey, Morgan [D-KY-3], Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2], Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10], Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4], Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6], Rep. Neal, Richard E. [D-MA-1], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, Alexandria [D-NY-14], Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-50], Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1], Del. Plaskett, Stacey E. [D-VI-At Large], Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2], Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3], Rep. Riley, Josh [D-NY-19], Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2], Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6], Rep. Sánchez, Linda T. [D-CA-38], Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5], Rep. Scott, Robert C. "Bobby" [D-VA-3], Rep. Sherrill, Mikie [D-NJ-11], Rep. Smith, Adam [D-WA-9], Rep. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12] and 17 more

Recent Actions

• 2025-04-04: Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture.
• 2025-03-18: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
• 2025-03-18: Introduced in House
• 2025-03-18: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Feed Hungry Veterans Act of 2025 — issued 2025-03-18 — PDF (3 pages)