Supplemental subsistence allowance for low-income members with dependents
37 U.S.C. § 402a
in effect(a) Supplemental Allowance Required.—(1) The Secretary concerned shall increase the basic allowance for subsistence to which a member of the armed forces described in subsection (b) is otherwise entitled under section 402 of this title by an amount (in this section referred to as the “supplemental subsistence allowance”) designed to remove the member’s household from eligibility for benefits under the supplemental nutrition assistance program. (2) The supplemental subsistence allowance may not exceed $1,100 per month. In establishing the amount of the supplemental subsistence allowance to be paid an eligible member under this paragraph, the Secretary shall take into consideration the amount of the basic allowance for housing that the member receives under section 403 of this title or would otherwise receive under such section, in the case of a member who is not entitled to that allowance as a result of assignment to quarters of the United States or a housing facility under the jurisdiction of a uniformed service. (3) In the case of a member described in subsection (b) who establishes to the satisfaction of the Secretary concerned that the allotment of the member’s household under the supplemental nutrition assistance program, calculated in the absence of the supplemental subsistence allowance, would exceed the amount established by the Secretary concerned under paragraph (2), the amount of the supplemental subsistence allowance for the member shall be equal to the lesser of the following:(A) The value of that allotment. (B) $1,100.
(b) Members Entitled to Allowance.—(1) Subject to subsection (d) and paragraph (4), a member of the armed forces with dependents is entitled to receive the supplemental subsistence allowance if the Secretary concerned determines that the member’s income, together with the income of the rest of the member’s household (if any), is within the highest income standard of eligibility, as then in effect under section 5(c) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2014(c)) and without regard to paragraph (1) of such section, for participation in the supplemental nutrition assistance program. (2) In determining whether a member meets the eligibility criteria under paragraph (1), the Secretary concerned shall take into consideration the amount of the basic allowance for housing that the member receives under section 403 of this title or would otherwise receive under such section, in the case of a member who is not entitled to that allowance as a result of assignment to quarters of the United States or a housing facility under the jurisdiction of a uniformed service. (3) In determining whether a member meets the eligibility criteria under paragraph (1), the Secretary concerned shall not take into consideration—(A) the amount of the supplemental subsistence allowance that is payable under this section; (B) the amount of any special pay that is payable to the member under section 310 or 351 of this title, relating to duty subject to hostile fire or imminent danger; or (C) the amount of any family separation allowance that is payable to the member under section 427 of this title. (4) After September 30, 2016, a member is eligible for a supplemental subsistence allowance under this section only if the member is serving outside the United States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, or Guam.
(c) Application for Allowance.—To request the supplemental subsistence allowance, a member shall submit an application to the Secretary concerned in such form and containing such information as the Secretary concerned may prescribe. A member applying for the supplemental subsistence allowance shall furnish such evidence regarding the member’s satisfaction of the eligibility criteria under subsection (b) as the Secretary concerned may require.
(d) Effective Period.—The entitlement of a member to receive the supplemental subsistence allowance terminates upon the occurrence of any of the following events, even though the member continues to meet the eligibility criteria described in subsection (b):(1) Payment of the supplemental subsistence allowance for 12 consecutive months. (2) Promotion of the member to a higher grade. (3) Transfer of the member in a permanent change of station.
(e) Reapplication.—Upon the termination of the effective period of the supplemental subsistence allowance for a member, or in anticipation of the imminent termination of the allowance, a member may reapply for the allowance under subsection (c), and the Secretary concerned shall approve the application and resume payment of the allowance to the member, if the member continues to meet, or once again meets, the eligibility criteria described in subsection (b).
(f) Eligibility for Other Federal Assistance.—(1) A child or spouse of a member of the armed forces receiving the supplemental subsistence allowance under this section who, except on account of the receipt of such allowance, would be eligible to receive a benefit described in paragraph (2) shall be considered to be eligible for that benefit notwithstanding the receipt of such allowance. (2) The benefits referred to in paragraph (1) are as follows:(A) Assistance provided under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.). (B) Assistance provided under the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq.). (C) A service provided under the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.). (D) Assistance under the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858 11 See References in Text note below. et seq.). (3) A household that includes a member of the armed forces receiving the supplemental subsistence allowance under this section and that, except on account of the receipt of such allowance, would be eligible to receive a benefit under the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 (42 U.S.C. 8621 et seq.) shall be considered to be eligible for that benefit notwithstanding the receipt of such allowance.
(g) Definitions.—In this section:(1) The term “Secretary concerned” means—(A) the Secretary of Defense; and (B) the Secretary of Homeland Security, with respect to the Coast Guard when it is not operating as a service in the Navy. (2) The terms “allotment” and “household” have the meanings given those terms in section 3 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2012). (3) The term “supplemental nutrition assistance program” means the program established pursuant to section 4 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2013).
Source: OLRC USLMURL: https://uscode.house.gov/download/releasepoints/us/pl/119/95/xml_usc37@119-95.zipFetched: 6/5/2026