Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today defended the decisions of some states to increase funding for an energy assistance program to increase food stamp benefits.

The major provision in the 2014 farm bill to reduce SNAP participation requires that states that qualify people for food stamps through the Low-Income Energy and Heating Assistance Program (LIHEAP) spend $20 per year per household on that program rather than as little as $1, which had been the previous practice.

Agriculture Undersecretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Kevin Concannon said today that of the 16 states that were using LIHEAP for eligibility 8 states have raised their LIHEAP payments to $20 and others are considering it.

Asked whether he thought the states’ decision to raise the payments was proper, Vilsack said, “The states have the right to make that judgment for themselves.”

He also said that he thinks it is a wise investment for the states to put in “a small amount of money that brings in federal money” that helps the beneficiaries, farmers and grocery states.

Some Republicans have said they want to restrict the LIHEAP program in the next Congress.

“I’m not sure why Congress would be upset about that,” Vilsack said.