Rep. Vargas Cosponsors “Disabled Veterans Nutrition Fairness Act of 2013”
Washington, DC (May 17, 2013) –Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) is proudly cosponsoring the “Disabled Veterans Nutrition Fairness Act of 2013”, introduced by Rep. Jackie Speier (CA-14), which would allow veterans to file for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits under the status of disabled while their disability claims are pending at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
“Our veterans have made countless sacrifices fighting for our freedom. We cannot deny them SNAP benefits while they wait in the severe backlog of disability claims,” said Rep. Vargas. “Now that they are home, it is our duty to ensure that our wounded veterans have access to the benefits they deserve.”
Currently, veterans who have a pending disability claim with the VA are not considered disabled for the purposes of the SNAP program. The “Disabled Veterans Nutrition Fairness Act of 2013” allows veterans to apply for SNAP benefits as “disabled”, while waiting to receive a determination on their case. However, the bill does not make them automatically eligible for the program, as each SNAP applicant will still be required to pass the net income test based on 100 percent of the federal poverty level.
“The well-being of our veterans should be a priority,” stated Rep. Vargas. “Too many disabled veterans have returned from Iraq and Afghanistan and struggled to find employment in our stagnant economy. We should not allow heroes to go hungry while they wait for their disability claims to be processed.”
Vargas represents the California 51st Congressional District which includes the southern portion of San Diego County, all of Imperial County and California’s entire US/Mexico border. Vargas was elected to Congress in 2012. He represented the 40th California State Senate District from 2010-2012, the 79th California State Assembly District from 2000 – 2006 and served on the San Diego City Council from 1993 – 2000.