The defense authorization bill approved by the Senate Armed Services Committee last week includes a provision to expand the “basic needs allowance” that helps lower-income military families, CQ reported.

The allowance was enacted in the fiscal year 2022 defense bill. It makes up the difference between a service member’s salary and 130% of the federal poverty line. The new authorization bill would raise that to 150% of the federal poverty line.

“As someone whose family relied on public nutrition programs after my father lost his job, and who served in uniform for most of my adult life, I’m so glad this year’s NDAA will expand the basic needs allowance to help make sure more of our service members and their families have enough to eat,” said Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), who wrote the provision.

The Senate Armed Services Committee approved the authorization bill last week.

Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Camilo Fernan