Legal challenge emerges over expanded collection of sensitive information from food assistance applicants
A coalition of 21 U.S. states and Washington, D.C. has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in response to a federal directive requiring states to hand over detailed personal data of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) applicants from the past five years.
The USDA’s request includes names, Social Security numbers, birth dates, addresses, immigration status, and information about household members. The agency set July 30 as the deadline and warned that states failing to comply may risk losing federal funds.
Privacy concerns and legal objections
The lawsuit, led by several state attorneys general, argues that the USDA’s demand violates federal privacy laws and exceeds its legal authority. The plaintiffs are asking a court to halt the request and prevent the agency from penalizing noncompliant states.
While the USDA has stated that the data collection aims to ensure the integrity of SNAP and prevent fraud, opponents assert that existing oversight systems already serve that purpose without requiring the transfer of personally identifiable information.
Some state officials have voiced concerns that the data request could discourage eligible families, especially those of mixed immigration status, from applying for assistance due to fears of surveillance or enforcement actions.
Ongoing disputes and implementation delays
This is the second legal challenge to the USDA’s data collection plan. In a separate case, a coalition of SNAP recipients and advocacy organizations has also sought to block the initiative. Meanwhile, the USDA has stated that the data may be shared with other government bodies, including foreign entities, if any violations are suspected.
With over 40 million people relying on SNAP monthly, this legal dispute may define how personal data is managed and shared in federally funded welfare programs moving forward.
