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3h ago

Judge Halts USDA Push for States’ SNAP Data in 21 States and D.C.

The order pauses a Trump directive seeking years of beneficiary records pending an Oct. 9 hearing on whether the freeze continues.

Stock image/file photo: A SNAP sign in a store window.
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Overview

  • U.S. District Judge Maxine Chesney issued a temporary restraining order on Sept. 18 blocking the USDA from collecting SNAP records from 21 states and Washington, D.C., with the agency allowed to file its opposition by Sept. 26.
  • The USDA had ordered states to turn over data for all applicants and recipients since Jan. 1, 2020, including names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, addresses and eligibility records.
  • Plaintiff states argue federal law restricts such data to program administration, while USDA filings acknowledged potential disclosure to entities beyond assistance programs, fueling privacy and immigration‑enforcement concerns.
  • Despite the court order, USDA moved to enforce compliance by disallowing about $10.4 million in Kansas SNAP administrative funding on Sept. 20, and state officials say an appeal will automatically stay the cut so benefits continue during the process.
  • USDA maintains the data is needed to detect fraud and duplicate payments, and separately announced it is terminating the Household Food Insecurity report.