January 14, 2026
Ms. McDonald Rivet introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture
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.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Affordable Food and Energy Act of 2026
.
Sec. 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.
Sec. 3. Effective date
This Act and the amendments made by this Act shall take effect July 4, 2025.