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Page 3 of 4 These changes were effective upon enactment. State agencies must apply updated exceptions to new and ongoing participants after they are screened, in accordance with 7 CFR 273.24(k). FNS will follow up with State agencies currently operating waivers of the time limit that are no longer eligible under the revised program rules. The OBBB also establishes new exemptions for individuals residing in Alaska and Hawaii if the State makes a request to the Secretary and is demonstrating a good faith effort to comply with time limit work requirements. Exemptions granted will expire no later than December 31, 2028. Additional guidance for how Alaska and Hawaii may request exemptions under this provision is forthcoming. Sec. 10103 Availability of Standard Utility Allowances Based on Receipt of Energy Assistance. Amends how State agencies treat receipt of a payment under the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 (LIHEAA) or other similar energy assistance programs for the purposes of the Heating and Cooling Standard Utility Allowance (HCSUA). Only households with an elderly or disabled member which receive a payment of more than $20 under a LIHEAA program (or similar energy assistance programs), annually, in the month of application or immediately preceding 12 months are automatically eligible for the HCSUA to be applied to the household’s case when determining eligibility and benefit amount. Households without an elderly or disabled member are no longer eligible based on a payment of any amount from a LIHEAA program (or similar energy assistance programs). Households without an elderly or disabled member must incur heating or cooling expenses in accordance with section 5(e)(6)(C) to have the HCSUA used in determining their eligibility and benefit amount. This provision also changes how SNAP treats third-party energy assistance payments provided under a State law depending on whether there is an elderly or disabled SNAP household member. The assistance will no longer count as income if the household includes an elderly or disabled member, and the household will continue to count expenses the assistance covers towards the excess shelter deduction. If the household does not include an elderly or disabled member, the assistance would continue counting as income, however, the household could no longer count the expense covered by the assistance towards the excess shelter deduction. This provision is effective upon enactment. State agencies must apply this policy at initial certification for new applicants and, at a minimum, apply the changes to ongoing households at recertification. Guidance documents lack the force and effect of law, unless expressly authorized by statute or incorporated into a contract. USDA may not cite, use, or rely on any guidance that is not available through their guidance portal, except to establish historical facts.