H.R. 7069 — Affordable Food and Energy Act of 2026

This section amends rules for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) concerning energy assistance as follows: (1) revises eligibility for the standard utility allowance that reflects heating and cooling costs to require that eligible households received a payment greater than $20 annually (as determined by USDA) under the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) or a similar program in the current month or immediately preceding 12 months; and (2) specifies that, for purposes of SNAP income determination, payments under certain state energy assistance laws are treated as money payable directly to the household, while related expenses paid on behalf of the household are treated as out-of-pocket expenses. (Thus, state vendor payments for energy costs qualify for SNAP shelter deductions without increasing countable income.)