From Huffington Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/21/food-stamp-cuts_n_3313264.html
WASHINGTON — Veterans have a reminder for the Senate as it takes up plans to cut food stamps by $4.1 billion this week: The aid has been — and still is — vital to people who served their country.
For Iraq veteran Don Martinez, 33, food stamps kept his children fed while he struggled with getting recognition for the traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress he suffered after close encounters with several rocket and mortar attacks and a humvee rollover.
“Coming off the second deployment back into civilian life, we just had to do what we had to do,” said Martinez, an artillery captain, recalling how in 2006 the military did not recognize the severity of his disabilities. For several years, Martinez said, the military paid him only a fraction of what he needed to support his family while he sought treatment.
Martinez is one of nearly 600 veterans who have needed food stamps and who signed a letter being sent to the Senate Tuesday by the group VoteVets.org, urging leaders not to trim the program while there are veterans in need.
Maritinez told his story to The Huffington Post to explain how the aid is vital.
After years of trying, the captain said he eventually won his case and got full benefits. But in the meantime, his wife decided to swallow her pride and ask for help, getting aid from Medicaid and Temporary Assistance For Needy Families and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which provides food assistance.
Continue reading at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/21/food-stamp-cuts_n_3313264.html
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