The Family Subsistence Supplemental Allowance (FSSA) program was established to supplement a military member's income to a high enough level so that the member's family doesn't need to get benefits under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the food stamp program.
Since Sep. 30, 2016, FSSA has only been payable outside the U.S.
FSSA Eligibility
FSSA is payable to any officer or enlisted member of the Armed Forces who meets all of the following criteria:
- Is serving on active duty and receiving BAS.
- Has a gross household income that would make the member eligible for assistance under the USDA SNAP program for a given household size.
- At least one person in the Service member’s household is a military dependent.
- Is stationed outside the U.S.
FSSA Payment Amounts
FSSA is a monthly entitlement payable in whole dollar amounts not to exceed $1,100.
FSSA is payable in an amount that would bring the member’s gross household income to 130 percent of the Federal poverty line as established by the USDA.
For periods of less than a full month of entitlement, the FSSA will be prorated at 1/30 for each day of entitlement.
If an eligible member is receiving SNAP benefits, the amount of the FSSA entitlement will be equal to the calculated FSSA or the SNAP allotment, whichever is higher, not to exceed $1,100 per month.
There are certain types of military income that are not considered when computing the FSSA bonus amount. For more information see your personnel office.
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