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SNAP Provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of2025 -Restrictions on Internet Expenses and Treatment of Energy Assistance Payments Questions and Answers #1

A. Restrictions on Internet Expenses 1. Are any internet costs an allowable shelter expense? No, Section 10104 of the OBBB prohibits the State agency from counting any internet costs towards determining a household’s shelter costs for the purposes of the excess shelter deduction. Counting households’ actual internet costs now violates federal law, and any State agencies that count such costs must discontinue immediately. 2. Can State agencies include internet costs as part of their Standard Utility Allowance (SUA) methodologies and values? No, internet costs cannot be included in SUA methodologies and values because these costs are no longer an allowable shelter expense. B. Availability of Standard Utility Allowances (SUAs) Based on Receipt of Energy Assistance 1. Who is eligible for the heating and cooling SUA (HCSUA) based on receipt of a qualifying Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) or other similar energy assistance payment? Households that contain an elderly or disabled member and receive a qualifying LIHEAP or other payment are automatically eligible for the HCSUA. Households that do not contain an elderly or disabled member no longer qualify for the HCSUA automatically based solely on receipt of a LIHEAP or other similar energy assistance payment, consistent with Section 5(e)(6)(C) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (the Act) and 7 CFR 273.9(d)(6)(iii)(D)(1) and (2). 2. Does OBBB restrict which households qualify for the HCSUA based on a weatherization payment? Yes, households must contain an elderly or disabled member to qualify for the HCSUA based on receipt of weatherization payments since these payments are considered as an “other similar energy assistance payment.” One-time payments for weatherization or emergency repair or replacement of an unsafe or inoperative furnace or other

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