'SNAP Is Everything': Military Families, Vets Prepare for Empty Fridges

Military.com ^ | Oct 29, 2025 | Darius Radzius

[CondoleezzaProtege]

“We would not eat.”

That is how disabled U.S. Navy veteran Juan Saro described a life without the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP…About 1.2 million veterans are enrolled now, according to the National Council on Aging. More than 20,000 military families, 213,000 National Guard and Reserve members, and more than 1 million veterans, rely on such benefits, according to Veteran.com.

Saro survived a brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from his time in the Navy. He later worked as a sixth-grade teacher. But COVID-related health problems made it impossible to stay in the classroom.

The veteran now lives on fixed disability payments from the Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA). By mid-month, the money runs out. Food runs out. SNAP becomes the difference between dinner and nothing at all.

“SNAP is everything,” Saro told Military.com. “Without SNAP, we would go hungry. We would not eat. We would not have food on the table. The boys would not have what they need.”

Saro said he once opened his refrigerator and saw one onion. He tried to stretch food for as long as possible.

Experts say that many veterans who qualify never apply, even though age, disability and fixed incomes put them at higher risks for hunger.

“I try not to let them see the struggle," Saro said. "They lost their mother. I want them to focus on school. I want their lives to feel normal.”

[tumblindice]

Democrats are trying to conflate the (unsustainable) problem of American taxpayers feeding perennial deadbeats and illegal aliens ... with “starving disabled vets!”. It’s despicable.
The rats know they are losing on this shutdown they forced, especially when their Washington Post tells them to ‘knock it off’.

[ansel12]

Studies of POWs after WWII and Korea showed that POW groups from more backward nations survived better because they were more likely to incorporate weeds and available plants into their diets than the Westerners.

[OldGoatCPO]

Why? He is lying or just plain stupid. VA disability payments are NOT affected by shutdown. If what he says is true his disability rating would be either 100% or totally and permanently disabled which pays at 100%. That should be around $3.5K per month tax free. If he is neither of those there is more to this story than is being told. If he cannot work why is me not on SS disability. Also not affected by the shutdown. Get an attorney and eventually they agree and that is another $3.5K per month. If not on disability, again, there is more to the story or he is lying. National Guard and Reserve do not factor into this unless they are support staff on active duty. Their military pay is a few hundred per month and in terms of income is their secondary income not primary and if they are on SNAP it has nothing to do with being veterans. Locally the cost of living is low and there is an excess in base housing so they generally do not rate SNAP benefits anyway. High tax high cost Blue states maybe.

Since 9-11 and wide spread support for the military everyone who ever served regardless of the character of their service is a veteran especially for the freebies. Many get upset when asked for their ID or DD 214 to get the freebies. Not everyone who served is a veteran depending on character of service. Local business advertises as owned by a veteran as a vet I could care less if a business is vet owned. I know a lot of vets I won’t hire. Also kind of dumb in a military town with thousands of retirees and over 10,000 active duty. Occasionally I use VA medical. Nothing is more irritating then listening to to someone yelling I am a vet I deserve better service. Why? Why do you rate more than the other 50 people waiting with you. Yea I am jaded on this subject.

[Whatever Works]

There is not enough because the “free” system is abused. Many on it believe they are entitled to have 6+ kids and the taxpayer is REQUIRED to pay for it. Many think non food items should be allowed.

It is given to non citizens.

It is given to moochers.

So when those who SHOULD be allowed it come for it, it is not available.

All veterans should be deemed essential and given the support they need for all they have given. The rest? Trust but verify.

[KitJ]

"And why do our soldiers get poverty pay such that they need this? That’s the real scandal."

In 2025, an young enlisted Soldier (E-1 to E-3) makes about $2,500/mo, plus housing, food, and medical benefits. Within probably less than two years, you can make E-4 and pay goes up to around $3k/mo, with commensurate increases in benefits pay.

The problem is the young person who enlists at around 20-25 years old, with 3-5 kids, and maybe no spouse, that's a tight budget. Food stamps and assistance.

For a single, young person, with little to no debt? Living in the barracks, eating in the chow hall, with all medical taken care of, that's pretty good livin.

Reagan started closing the civilian/military pay gap. Clinton shut that right down mostly. Bush I helped a little. Bush II helped more, but we were at war. Hussein kept military pay raises below inflation, because he hates us. Trump helped quite a bit in his first term. Autopen Biden neither helped nor hurt.

As a single, enlisted E-2 in 1985, I pocketed $493/mo. Gravy with free housing, free food and free medical. Taxi rides around post (no car) were $.25-2.50 (plus tips). Times have changed.

All I had to do was give Uncle Sugar my body and, potentially, my life.

[ronniesgal]

this guys a one in a million situation.

[RWGinger]

It mentions VA disability payments. It also says he was a teacher but covid related disability kept him from working.
Too many details left out to know if he really needs more hand outs

[KitJ]

“VA disability payments are NOT affected by shutdown. If what he says is true his disability rating would be either 100% or totally and permanently disabled which pays at 100%.”

~~~~~~~~~~

Chief, I think I love you. Ya damn squid.

(in loving kindness from an Army earth pig)

There is much more to this story. Maybe he needs help, mebbe he don’t. He should have several thousand in medical disability, tax free, per month. Probably around $5-6k.

Kit

[xone]

VA disability payments will continue to be processed and delivered

Probably not all of it processed, but no one should count on a VA increase >6 months.

[pfflier]

I am assuming you do not know many vets, or disabled vets.

You assumed wrong. I am a vet and have been in the VA system for years.

[Baladas]

this guy does not seem disabled:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/juan-v-saro/

and that’s him. former teacher and all...

[Repeat Offender]

THANK YOU for the sanity. You are exactly right, and the VA has already paid out this month.

My other favorite is Active Duty on food stamps…..probably 50% of their pay (BAH and BAS combined) is tax free, AND they can shop at the commissary. So, it’s more likely Lance Coolie or Joe went out and mortgaged a Dodge Charger Scat Pack at 23% interest to impress his buddies or stripper wife.

And before the usual crowd shows up to whine I’m disparaging the troops - I’m a combat wounded vet with four combat tours, and as an NCO and SNCO had to deal with the ramifications of these children and their poor financial decision making on a regular basis.

The “married a stripper and mortgaged a car” stereotype exists for a reason. If they need to be on SNAP on Active Duty it’s likely due to poor financial choices.

[Baladas]

this guy has been crying for months:

https://www.stripes.com/veterans/2025-06-30/veterans-congress-legislation-snap-food-18296520.html

I don’t know, it’s off

[KitJ]

U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class (E-5) Juan Saro’s backstory has more information here from the absolute leftist Stars & Stripes (Orange Man Bad).

This article is from June, 2025. https://www.stripes.com/veterans/2025-06-30/veterans-congress-legislation-snap-food-18296520.html

Reported facts:
- PO2 Saro, now aged 43, served in USN from 2002-2007, and USNR from 2007-2011.
- PO2 Saro has 100% disability rating from VA.
- Saro suffered a TBI while afloat in the Sea of Japan during 16’ swells. And other infirmities, not disclosed.
- Saro lives in Georgia and divorced his wife.
- Saro is raising two children aged 7 and 9. The kids’ mother is “lost” insofar as Juan has custody of them, and she must have been a real whack job for that to happen.
- Juan says he does not receive Social Security benefits.

I’m assuming Juan is a great father and doing the best for his kids. If you’re here reading or watching, FReepmail me.

I can’t believe that a missing $200/mo will make you starve or put you on the streets.

Discuss.

Kit

[Openurmind]

“I can’t believe that a missing $200/mo will make you starve or put you on the streets.”

That is what just a monthly premium on a full coverage used auto insurance policy is right now if financed.

You bet $200 dollars is a huge deal right now and can absolutely make you or break you with your other bills combined.

Should he not even own a car then?

[Ann Archy]

No. How about a DEMOCRAT BILLIONAIRE HELPING OUT?

[Openurmind]

Tell you what... There are a bunch of dumb people here who have never been actually “hungry” for more than an hour between meals in their lives... They have absolutely no idea what it is like to go three days without a meal... Spoiled rotten...

[CondoleezzaProtege]

The politicians, who themselves have never had to ration, yet show no care in the world for our vets are the same ones sending them to war in the first place.

[ridesthemiles]

ONE THREAD SAID : 58% OF THOSE ON SNAP ARE ILLEGAL INVADERS

[KitJ]

"The “married a stripper and mortgaged a car” stereotype exists for a reason. If they need to be on SNAP on Active Duty it’s likely due to poor financial choices."

There's a reason used car dealerships, pawn shops, payday loans and strip clubs line the streets outside every post.

PFC: "Check out my new ride, Sarge. It was only $1k down. I can totally afford $150 a month."

Sarge: "How much was it?"

PFC: "Just $150 a month."

Sarge: "For how long?"

PFC: "I don't know. Maybe 8 or ten years. Maybe 15. But she looks good. I'll replace the radio cause it don't work. And I can fix the windows. Maybe some spinners on the new wheels."

Sarge: *thinking to himself* "You just don't listen. You just signed up to pay thirty thousand dollars for a used Mustang/Pick up/Cadillac worth two thousand dollars. When the car is junked next year you still have to pay for it. And the dealership lenders WILL come after you and garnish your pay."

***BREAK***

E-4: "Sarge, I really need a 4-day pass or leave to get married next week."

Sarge: "Who do want to marry? Hometown girl or someone you just met?"

E-4: "I met the love of my life last week. We were at the Club and I fell in love at first sight. She loves me."

Sarge: "Why do you need to marry her next week?" (Sarge thinking impregnation after five days)

E-4: "Well, she was on probation and will probably be sentenced to jail next week. Nothing big. Probably only a few months or a year. But she needs someone to take care of her kids. I figure if I marry her, then we can take care of those kids. Army syle.

Sarge: "What does she do for a living, taking care of the kids?"

E-4: "She's a dancer. An exotic dancer, if you know what I mean. She loves music and dances and dances. The more I helped her, the more she loved me. I started with some ones, then fives. Once I got to 20s she loved me more than anything. I need to marry her for the kids.

Sarge: (shaking head) I wish no enlistees could marry. I remember when you had to have the Company Commander's authorization.