Military combat pay not countable for Food Stamps

Military Combat Pay Not Countable in Food Stamps: 

MLRI has received calls regarding treatment of combat pay for individuals in the US military and their dependents.  A number of these military service members have their benefits and pay deposited in joint accounts with spouses or dependents.  Federal food stamp law states that NONE of the combat pay should be counted if the individual is stationed in specific combat areas.  USDA issued updated guidance on this issue in September 2010 [Editor's Note: Link is no longer active]. Further, as noted in the September 2010 guidance, only the portion of other military or veterans pay actually available to the dependents is countable income.

See y the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 (P.L. 111-80; October 21, 2009).

Combat pay is also excluded from eligibility determinations for WIC: 7 CFR Part 246 (6/16/11).

A final rule was adopted in April 2011 which permanently excludes combat pay from being considered as income for SNAP, extended to Indian reservations. 7 CFR Part 253.6.