Legislation moving toward passage in Congress could end monthly food assistance for tens of thousands of veterans receiving food stamps through the supplemental nutrition assistance program known as SNAP, according to veterans advocacy groups.  (Allison Dinner/AP)

WASHINGTON — Navy veteran Juan Saro, who is disabled from a head injury that he suffered when his ship encountered 16-foot swells in the Sea of Japan, depends on his service benefits and food stamps to cover costs for groceries, housing and other basics for himself and two school-age children.

But a sprawling piece of legislation that President Donald Trump dubbed the “big, beautiful bill” that is moving toward final passage in Congress could end the monthly food assistance for Saro, a former master helmsman, and tens of thousands of other veterans receiving food stamps through the supplemental nutrition assistance program known as SNAP, according to veterans advocacy groups.

The bill, which passed the House and is under debate in the Senate, eliminates work exemptions for veterans, homeless individuals and other population groups to qualify for SNAP.

But Saro, 43, who lives in Georgia and has a 100% disability rating from the Department of Veterans Affairs, said the new legislation would end his SNAP benefits. Neurological problems from a traumatic brain injury and other service-connected injuries keep him from holding a job, which is a requirement under the bill.

“I don’t see how we can pay for our groceries without SNAP,” said Saro, a former petty officer second class who served in the Navy from 2002 to 2007. He was honorably discharged and then served in the Navy Reserve from 2007 to 2011.

“I’m worried we won’t be able to make ends meet,” said Saro, who is divorced and raising two children, ages 7 and 9.

“The proposed legislation removes protections for veterans, including 100% disabled veterans or veterans deemed unemployable by the VA,” said Amy Palmer, president of Soldiers’ Angels, a nonprofit that offers food distributions and other assistance to veterans and active-duty military members.

Veteran Juan Saro served in the Navy and Navy Reserve from 2002 to 2011. But he said a service-connected head injury caused neurological problems that have worsened over time. He was determined to be 100% unemployable by the Department of Veterans Affairs in 2020. He and his family rely on food stamps, also known as SNAP. (Juan Saro)

Saro said he has supplemented his family’s food assistance through help from Soldiers’ Angels, which has monthly food distribution events in Atlanta and other large cities.

The Senate on Monday was holding a marathon voting session dubbed a “vote-a-rama” on multiple amendments to Trump’s sweeping domestic policy bill that is 940 pages long. The bill includes reductions to SNAP.

Voting was expected to continue through the night and possibly into Tuesday.

“SNAP isn’t a handout. It’s a vital lifeline that keeps food on the table for those who serve,” according to a statement from the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, which urged Congress to “reject these harmful measures and uphold our nation’s promise to its heroes.’’

Eight percent of veterans are SNAP recipients, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a left-leaning think tank. The organization said it based its findings on U.S. Census data.

The House-passed Republican legislation would cut nearly $300 billion from SNAP through 2034, according to the Congressional Budget Office. This would be the largest cut to SNAP in history, the CBO said.

“We’ve gone without food before receiving SNAP. We still sometimes run low on food because prices are up,” Saro said.

“When these adults are cut off, their entire households receive reduced food benefits, putting children, people with disabilities and seniors who live with them at greater risk of hunger,’’ according to a report published May 28 by the Congressional Budget Office.

The VA determined Saro was “unemployable” in 2020, he said. His neurological problems have worsened over time, but he does not receive any assistance from Social Security, he said.

The VA determines unemployability for veterans based on whether their service-connected disabilities prevent them from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment, according to the agency.

“SNAP provides a critical lifeline, helping ensure that those who have served our country don’t have to choose between paying rent or putting food on the table,’’ Palmer said.

Her organization is working with disabled veterans and veterans deemed unemployable to help them apply for Social Security disability compensation and other federal programs that could help make up for the loss in SNAP benefits.

“Most disabled veterans do not get [Social Security] disability income, and the vast majority of individuals who apply for it are turned down the first time,” Palmer said.

Saro started getting the SNAP benefit in September 2024, and he receives $292 per month.

“My VA disability checks also help pay for food and all of my housing,” he said. “Paying for housing and utilities is hard enough. Then there are unexpected expenses that come up. We’ve had the power cut off a time or two when I was late paying the bill.”