Haugen bill would fix housing allowance hardship for military members

OLYMPIA – Low-ranking service members who have been disqualified for public assistance because of an administrative glitch would have their eligibility restored under a bill proposed by Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island.

“This goes to the heart of the health and welfare of current and retired service members and their families who struggle to make ends meet,” Haugen said. “These are people who lost vital benefits just because of a change in paperwork.”

Haugen’s legislation addresses a hardship created when the privatization of military housing triggered a change in the administration of the base housing allowance, a long-standing subsidy for service members.

In the past, the housing allowance was processed by the Department of Defense and was automatically deducted before paychecks were issued. Now the allowance is administered through the state Department of Social and Human Services and appears on financial statements, showing a higher rate of pay that disqualifies many members from public assistance even though they make no more money then they did before.

The loss of assistance is especially hard on service members living on Whidbey Island and in similar communities where the cost of living has risen dramatically over the years.

“It’s unfortunate that the military, in its efforts to privatize housing, inadvertently placed such a hardship on its members,” Haugen said. “This bill will restore everyone’s ability to make ends meet.”

Senate Bill 6336 states that housing assistance and housing allowances received by military personnel or veterans will not be considered as income in determining eligibility for public assistance.

With 18 senators signed up as co-sponsors, Haugen’s bill has strong support from both parties. It will be scheduled soon for executive session, and Haugen said she expects it to pass out of the Human Services & Corrections Committee.

Return to Sen. Haugen's home page