Army releases guidance to soldiers: Apply for food stamps to deal with inflation

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The U.S. Army released guidance this month to soldiers on how to apply for food stamps in order to deal with increasing inflation. 

The Pentagon tells soldiers that they should sign up for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). SNAP is one of several options the military leaders suggest as part of the Army’s Financial Readiness Program. Soldiers can also seek financial assistance from the Army Emergency Relief program.

“With inflation affecting everything from gas prices to groceries to rent, some Soldiers and their families are finding it harder to get by on the budgets they’ve set and used before,” guidance from Sergeant Major Michael Grinston said. “Soldiers of all ranks can seek guidance, assistance, and advice through the Army’s Financial Readiness Program.”

The base pay for a private with four years of experience is $21,999 base salary, not including bonuses, meals on base, allowances, or other benefits.

“SNAP is a U.S. government program that provides benefits to eligible low-income individuals and families via an electronic benefits transfer card that can be used like a debit card to purchase eligible food in authorized retail food stores. Service members and their families may be eligible,” the Army guidance reads. “To determine qualification, visit the SNAP website or call the SNAP information line at 800-221-5689.”

Federal inflation data released in August shows that food prices have risen at the fastest rate since the 1970’s.

“The food index increased 10.9 percent over the last year, the largest 12-month increase since the period ending May 1979,” BLS said. “The food at home index rose 13.1 percent over the last 12 months, the largest 12-month increase since the period ending March 1979,” BLS said. “The index for other food at home rose 15.8 percent and the index for cereals and bakery products increased 15.0 percent over the year. The remaining major grocery store food groups posted increases ranging from 9.3 percent (fruits and vegetables) to 14.9 percent (dairy and related products).”

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the price of eggs is up nearly 40% from a year ago; while butter has jumped 38% and flour has jumped 24%.

14 COMMENTS

  1. Wonder why enlisting is down? Join the army: learn new pronouns, fight white rage, go on food stamps.

    Best of all, run the risk of being killed for a incompetent commander in chief looking to score political points.

  2. Takes me back to the Jimmy Carter years when this was common. Only then, you didn’t have to pledge alliance to the rainbow flag. God bless our military who are still willing to serve during this national crisis.

  3. Weird how they have no money to fight inflation, while they print billions to send to UKrain. Welcome inflation and empty shelves. Does 1933 ring a bell?

  4. We have the Biden White House having Democrats enact 5 or 6 inflationary spending bills while the Biden Fed is willing to risk everything in the US economy to bring inflation down to 2 percent or less. Is there anyone who cannot see what is wrong with this? Each of these policies exacerbates the other! The US can only do this because the US dollar is strong, and relatedly, the US dollar is still pretty much the world currency. But doing it is still stupid and still hurtful to the United States of America.

    With his presidency in trouble and the elections just several weeks away Biden will not ask anyone to sacrifice, nor will he ask anyone on the dole to get a job! We need all three of our Alaska delegation to be shouting about this every day. I know that Senator Sullivan understands this because he sends me emails about it almost every day it seems, but the main point of his emails is to ask me for money. Lisa is running an ad in which she talks about being a champion to reduce spending, but we all know that is silly as we judge our delegation by how much money they can bring to Alaska. (That’s on us by the way.)

    Lisa supported a state income tax when she was in the Alaska House, and I don’t know if she knows much about economics. Her main opponent has only worked for government, and as Administration Commissioner left me no doubt that she does not understand that it’s the private sector that creates wealth.

    Congresswoman Peltola very likely understands this but she and Biden are in the same political party. This is all truly a sad state of affairs.

  5. Everyone will be on government assistance here shortly. This is the plan so you must vote Democrat, get vaccinated, wear a mask, and do as your told or you’ll be cut off.

  6. Well… There goes my chance to get snap. I thought about it, you know adding myself even got the paper requesting i call hotline, i just never called. I do know there already too many people collecting, and d.c politicians they don’t need two more mouths to feed, so we’ll continue eating the poorman’s feast-potato, onion, and dog-franks courtesy of clara’s great depression cooking youtooby page.

    • If you truly are hungry, churches usually have a food bank that are willing to help the needy. You could go to a local dump and dig through the piles to find edible food or dumpster dives for perfectly good food that’s just out of date.

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