What This Bill Does · Plain English
GovGreed Synthesis · AI extraction
This bill amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to expand Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for low-income households that receive energy assistance. It requires states that use a standard utility allowance reflecting heating and cooling costs to make that allowance available to households receiving payments from the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) or similar state energy assistance programs. It also clarifies that such energy assistance payments are to be treated as money payable directly to the household for SNAP eligibility purposes, and that energy assistance expenses paid on behalf of a household are considered out-of-pocket expenses.
Action Timeline
2026-01-14
Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
2026-01-14
Introduced in House
2026-01-14
Introduced in House
Frequently Asked Questions
Did HR.7069 pass?
HR.7069 is still alive. Current stage: COMMITTEE. Pass likelihood: pending.
What does HR.7069 do?
This bill amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to expand Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for low-income households that receive energy assistance. It requires states that use a standard utility allowance reflecting heating and cooling costs to make that allowance available to households receiving payments from the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) or similar state energy assistance programs. It also clarifies that such energy assistance payments are to be treated as money payable directly to the household for SNAP eligibility purposes, and that e…
Who sponsored HR.7069?
HR.7069 was sponsored by Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Michigan).
Full Bill Text
119 HR 7069 IH: Affordable Food and Energy Act of 2026 U.S. House of Representatives 2026-01-14 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. I 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 7069 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES January 14, 2026 Ms. McDonald Rivet introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture A BILL To amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to expand benefits to households eligible for Federal and State energy assistance programs, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Affordable Food and Energy Act of 2026 . 2. Household assistance Section 5 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 ( 7 U.S.C. 2014 ) is amended— (1) by amending subsection (e)(6)(C)(iv)(I) to read as follows: (I) In general Subject to subclause (II), if a State agency elects to use a standard utility allowance that reflects heating and cooling costs, the standard utility allowance shall be made available to households that received a payment, or on behalf of which a payment was made, under the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 ( 42 U.S.C. 8621 et seq. ) or other similar energy assistance program, if in the current month or in the immediately preceding 12 months, the household either received such a payment, or such a payment was made on behalf of the household, that was greater than $20 annually, as determined by the Secretary. , and (2) by amending subsection (k)(4) to read as follows: (4) Third party energy assistance payments (A) Energy assistance payments For purposes of subsection (d)(1), a payment made under a State law (other than a law referred to in paragraph (2)(G)) to provide energy assistance to a household shall be considered money payable directly to the household. (B) Energy assistance expenses For purposes of subsection (e)(6), an expense paid on behalf of a household under a State law to provide energy assistance shall be considered an out-of-pocket expense incurred and paid by the household. . 3. Effective date This Act and the amendments made by this Act shall take effect July 4, 2025.
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