The latest cuts to the federal food stamp program will hit everyone, including American soldiers.
According to USA Today, about 5,000 troops are among those affected by the recent cut, which took place last Friday. For the military, the benefit goes primarily to young troops with families.
An Army private with no dependents and fewer than two years' experience is paid $40,400, including allowances for housing and food. That soldier does not pay taxes on the food and housing stipends.An Army captain with six years of experience and no dependents earns about $93,800 in pay and benefits.
Lt. Cdr. Nate Christensen, a Pentagon spokesman, told USA Today troops who continue to serve quickly earn enough to avoid food stamps.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are set to decrease for more than 47 million lower-income people, 1 in 7 Americans, most of who live in households with children, seniors or people with disabilities. The cuts are expected to reduce the almost $80 billion program by almost $4 billion next year.
According to the Agriculture Department, that means a family of four receiving food stamps will receive $36 less a month. The maximum payment for a family of four will shrink from $668 a month to $632, or $432 over the course of a year.
Food banks are also stretching themselves thin as the aftermath of the Friday's food stamp cuts, according to USA Today. Food banks across the country are bracing for more people coming through their doors in the wake of the program cuts. The banks served 37 million Americans in 2010, up from 25 million in 2006, according to the most recent numbers from Feeding America, an umbrella organization for 200 food banks nationwide.
"Our network is already overburdened with a tremendous increase in need," said Maura Daly, a Feeding America spokeswoman.
