Dod Implements Policy Change Co-led by Rep. Sara Jacobs to Support Service Members and Military Families

Statement

The Department of Defense (DoD) announced new policies, long-supported and co-led by Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (CA-53), to address the immediate and long-term economic security, stability, and well-being of service members and military families. DoD will boost the basic allowance for housing (BAH) for active duty service members in areas, including San Diego, that have faced at least a 20% spike in rental housing costs this year above BAH rates. The Department will also pay eligible service members the Basic Needs Allowance (BNA) starting next year. These policies are in line with the Military Hunger Prevention Act (H.R. 2339), legislation co-led by Congresswoman Sara Jacobs to create a basic needs allowance to support low-income servicemembers who are currently not eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, largely because their housing allowance counts as income and barely covers the rent in high-cost areas like San Diego.

"Our service members and military families should have safe housing, affordable child care, quality health care, and enough food to eat -- but for too many, these basic needs are out of reach," said Congresswoman Sara Jacobs. "I'm grateful that the Department of Defense has answered our calls to strengthen economic security for our service members by reforming and improving the basic housing and needs allowances. Especially in high-cost areas like San Diego, these new policies will finally help military families make ends meet -- and boost readiness and morale. But these new policies are just the beginning, and I will keep pushing in Congress to give our service members and their families the care, resources, and services they have earned and deserve."

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