Senators Gillibrand and Ernst Urge Department of Veterans Affairs to Screen Veterans for Food Insecurity

Statement

U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) today sent a bipartisan letter urging the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to begin screening veterans for food insecurity as part of routine health care screenings. Veterans are at an increased risk for food insecurity, or a lack of reliable access to affordable and nutritious food. Food insecurity is more prevalent among veterans than the general population due in part to higher rates of disability, medical problems, and mental health conditions that may make it more difficult for veterans to maintain an adequate income.

"We owe it to our veterans to do everything we can to ensure that they do not go hungry," the Senators said. "We believe that veterans would benefit from the VA including a brief screener on food insecurity when veterans seek health care from the VA. Any veteran who claims food insecurity can be referred to a social worker, who can then assist the veteran in completing paper work for SNAP or other resources. The addition of this screener is simple, requires little of the VA, and has the potential to help prevent millions of veterans and their families from going hungry."

Food insecurity is particularly high among veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. 27 percent of veterans from these wars reported difficulty with food insecurity, while 14.5 percent of the general U.S. population struggle with food insecurity. Despite the higher rates of food insecurity among veterans, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) use among veterans is considerably lower than the general population. Potential reasons for underuse among veterans may include stigma associated with SNAP, lack of information about the program, and difficulty navigating the application process. Screening for food insecurity at the VA can help address each of these barriers.

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