Affordable Food and Energy Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Rep. McDonald Rivet, Kristen [D-MI-8]
Introduced
Summary
Expands how SNAP treats energy assistance. This bill would make it easier for households that receive energy help to use a standard utility allowance when states choose to use one.
Show full summary
- Households that received a payment under the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) or a similar state energy program in the current month or the previous 12 months would be eligible for the standard utility allowance if that energy payment was greater than $20 in a year, as determined by the Secretary.
- State energy-assistance payments made under state law would be treated as money payable directly to the household for SNAP purposes.
- Energy-assistance expenses that a state pays on a household's behalf would be treated as out-of-pocket energy expenses incurred and paid by the household for SNAP calculations.
- Would take effect July 4, 2025.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
More SNAP help for energy bills
If enacted, this bill would let more SNAP households use a standard utility allowance (SUA) that counts heating and cooling. This applies only if your State chooses that SUA. If your household received (or had received on its behalf) a LIHEAP or similar State energy payment of more than $20 in the current month or the last 12 months, the State would have to make that SUA available to you. The bill would treat State energy payments made to you as money paid to your household for SNAP income rules. Energy help paid on your behalf would count as an out‑of‑pocket energy expense for SNAP deductions. Availability of the SUA is subject to an additional rule in the bill (subclause II). These changes would take effect July 4, 2025.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Rep. McDonald Rivet, Kristen [D-MI-8]
MI • D
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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