Active duty and EBT, what do you think?

2015-06-15T14:29:05-04:00

I saw a post on FB that said 84k dollars in food stamps were spent at commissaries. This got me thinking a little. Since EBT is almost mostly based on income, almost.... and yes low ranking enlisted make next to nothing in terms of a "paycheck", but unlike civilians they do not pay for housing, electric, water, property tax(renters of course dont.) they dont pay for repairs. In other words alot of the bills civilians pay military do not, of course they pay for phone service, internet, car payment, if they have these things. Though all thier basic bills are paid for my the military. So should active duty get EBT? Mind you I'm not anti EBT but most of you know this, I was just thinking this specific situation made me think a bit. Sorry this rambled.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2015 2:31 PM

2015-06-15T14:31:45-04:00

Would be interested to know the portion of the 84k that is active members and what portion is retired folks.

Response by SrA Johnathan Kropke made Jun 15 at 2015 2:36 PM

2015-06-15T14:36:16-04:00

I think that yes that is all true, but yet the military also does not pay for diapers. There is a lot more than just basic food allowance. When it comes down to it, the bills outside what our BAH and BAS covers, at least I should say for someone like me an E3 or lower, the regular check just isn't enough.

I think as long as they are reporting truths and are genuine in needing it, the EBT is fine, Of course there are people who abuse that system, I am not saying there are not people who do, just I think that it is a good system even for active military.

And every system will be taken advantage of, no matter how good it looks.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2015 3:07 PM

2015-06-15T15:07:52-04:00

Keep in mind that not all married military live in base housing. There are times, when housing is filled and there is a waiting list, those married young folks with kids have to live somewhere. And that somewhere is in the civilian world off base, where they do have to pay rent, pay for bills, repairs, etc. If EBT is needed to help ensure the balance of the family having a roof, food, and bed, then so be it. As long as they don't abuse it.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Jun 15 at 2015 3:35 PM

2015-06-15T15:35:30-04:00

You don't have to call me biased because I know I am when it comes to our Service Members and I have no problem whatsoever with one of our Service Members receiving this benefit.

I know they are willing to put their skin on the line to complete the mission, something not asked for (for the most part) in the civilian sector....our Soldiers/Sailors/Airmen/Marines/Coast Guardsmen can deploy very rapidly and if they qualify for the benefit & this improves the quality of life for them and their family, well call me biased but I don't have a problem with it!

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2015 3:52 PM

2015-06-15T15:52:09-04:00

LCpl Mark Lefler a friend of mine, another PFC, has 2 little girls and another one on the way. I remember our first paycheck after AIT. In AIT we get the BAH full and we pay our houses, my wife was in Puerto Rico and I was getting $1,400 in BAH which was way above what we were paying. When we got here, the BAH was fixed and I found a house, on-post, below BAH. He didn't, his first paycheck without the BAH was a little more than $800, he panicked. He is getting SNAP now, he really needs it and it has helped him a lot.