Rep. Mike Levin Pushes Administration to Adopt Critical Reforms to Improve Access to SNAP Benefits for Veterans

Skip to content I Want to Hear from You About Your Health Care Concerns. NEW: Rep. Levin Announces New District Data Map to Showcase Federal Project Funding. Close About Services Federal Project Funding Map Federal Policy Impact Resources Clean Energy Tax Credits Help With A Federal Agency Constituent Success Stories Community Resources List Commendations and Greetings Grants Applicants Tours and Tickets Military Academy Nominations Internships Flags Surplus Books Program Art Competition Constituent of the Month Congressional App Challenge Vietnam War 50th Commemoration Program Member-Designated Transportation Projects Community Project Funding Requests The Congressional Award News Press Releases In The News Op-Eds Contact Email Me Newsletter Subscription Offices Internships Request a Meeting with Rep. Levin Website Problem I Want To Hear From You Español Close Search Site SEARCH About Services Federal Project Funding Map Federal Policy Impact Resources Clean Energy Tax Credits Help With A Federal Agency Constituent Success Stories Community Resources List Commendations and Greetings Grants Applicants Tours and Tickets Military Academy Nominations Internships Flags Surplus Books Program Art Competition Constituent of the Month Congressional App Challenge Vietnam War 50th Commemoration Program Member-Designated Transportation Projects Community Project Funding Requests The Congressional Award News Press Releases In The News Op-Eds Contact Email Me Newsletter Subscription Offices Internships Request a Meeting with Rep. Levin Website Problem I Want To Hear From You MENU Español Search Instagram Icon Twitter Icon Facebook Icon Youtube Icon Bluesky Icon Home News Press Releases October 07, 2026 Rep. Mike Levin Pushes Administration to Adopt Critical Reforms to Improve Access to SNAP Benefits for Veterans Washington, D.C. —Today, Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49) applauded a new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report outlining recommendations to improve veterans’ access to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). In January 2024, Rep. Levin served as the Ranking Member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity with Chair Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) and requested GAO to examine how states with reported high and low rates of food insecurity have targeted veterans in the state annual outreach plans. On October 1, 2026, GAO published the report, “Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Federal Actions Needed to Help Veterans Access Benefits,” which highlights the importance of conducting veteran-specific SNAP outreach to increase awareness and use of food resources. According to a 2023 RAND report , more than one million veterans faced food insecurity each year from 2015 to 2020. Eligible veterans can use SNAP benefits to access healthy foods, but they’re less likely to participate than non-veterans. In the report, GAO reviewed states’ efforts to target SNAP outreach to veterans and work with veterans’ organizations to help connect veterans to the program. GAO also examined state and federal efforts to improve the type of SNAP outreach conducted to veterans. The report makes four recommendations for the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to more effectively tackle veteran food insecurity. “More than one million veterans face food insecurity in this country. That is one million too many. That is why, when I served as Ranking Member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, I asked GAO to investigate how states and the federal government can better help veterans get the support they need. I am encouraged by the report’s findings on successful state outreach efforts, but I am deeply troubled that USDA has still not updated its website to inform veterans about new requirements that could result in them losing their benefits,” said Rep. Levin. “One of the many reasons I opposed H.R. 1 was because it eliminated the work requirement exemption for veterans and created additional barriers to accessing food assistance. I am also concerned that, following staffing cuts in 2025, USDA has failed to fill critical positions that support coordination with the Department of Veterans Affairs on veteran hunger. That is unacceptable. USDA must take these findings seriously and act quickly to address the gaps identified by GAO. I plan to work with my colleagues to hold the Administration accountable for implementing GAO’s recommendations as quickly as possible and ensuring veterans can access the support they have earned.” GAO made three recommendations to USDA and one to VA, including: The Secretary of Agriculture should ensure Food and Nutrition Administration’s (FNA) SNAP eligibility website includes up-to-date information about exceptions to the SNAP time limit. The Secretary of Agriculture should ensure FNA develops and disseminates additional SNAP outreach materials tailored to veterans, in collaboration with Veterans Health Administra