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Affordable Food and Energy Act of 2026

USA119th CongressHR-7069| House 
| Updated: 1/14/2026
Kristen McDonald Rivet

Kristen McDonald Rivet

Democratic Representative

Michigan

Agriculture Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill proposes amendments to the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, primarily impacting how energy assistance influences Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. A significant change expands access to the standard utility allowance (SUA) for households receiving energy assistance, by lowering the qualifying payment threshold to $20 annually within the preceding 12 months. The bill further clarifies the treatment of state energy assistance payments for SNAP calculations. It specifies that certain state energy assistance payments, not already excluded by federal law, will be considered as direct income for eligibility purposes. Conversely, energy assistance expenses paid on behalf of a household by a state program will be treated as out-of-pocket expenses, allowing them to be claimed as a utility deduction to potentially increase SNAP benefits.
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Timeline
Jan 14, 2026
Introduced in House
Jan 14, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
  • January 14, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • January 14, 2026
    Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.

Agriculture and Food

Affordable Food and Energy Act of 2026

USA119th CongressHR-7069| House 
| Updated: 1/14/2026
This bill proposes amendments to the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, primarily impacting how energy assistance influences Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. A significant change expands access to the standard utility allowance (SUA) for households receiving energy assistance, by lowering the qualifying payment threshold to $20 annually within the preceding 12 months. The bill further clarifies the treatment of state energy assistance payments for SNAP calculations. It specifies that certain state energy assistance payments, not already excluded by federal law, will be considered as direct income for eligibility purposes. Conversely, energy assistance expenses paid on behalf of a household by a state program will be treated as out-of-pocket expenses, allowing them to be claimed as a utility deduction to potentially increase SNAP benefits.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Jan 14, 2026
Introduced in House
Jan 14, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
  • January 14, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • January 14, 2026
    Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
Kristen McDonald Rivet

Kristen McDonald Rivet

Democratic Representative

Michigan

Agriculture Committee

Agriculture and Food

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted