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In a growing standoff between state and federal authorities, 21 states have refused to comply with the Trump administration’s unprecedented request for detailed data on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients. The dispute centers around a July 2025 directive from the U.S. Department of Agriculture that demands extensive personal information about every SNAP beneficiary.
According to USDA officials, 28 states and Guam have already provided the requested data, while the remaining states—predominantly those with Democratic governors—have pushed back against what they view as federal overreach.
The conflict stems from the USDA’s July 24 letter informing states it was “requiring collection of SNAP data from EBT processors or state agencies” to establish a “complete and accurate database.” While states routinely share some SNAP information with federal authorities, the scope of this request represents a significant escalation.
At issue is the unprecedented volume and sensitivity of the data being requested. The USDA is seeking personally identifiable information on all SNAP recipients, including full names, Social Security numbers, birth dates, and residential addresses—far beyond the aggregated data traditionally shared for program oversight.
The resisting states have taken legal action, filing a lawsuit that challenges the federal government’s authority to demand such extensive surveillance. Their amended complaint states: “Never before has the federal government demanded that States turn over PII on their entire SNAP caseloads, much less home address, social security number, immigration status, and day-to-day grocery purchase information.”
The lawsuit outlines several major concerns, including potential privacy and cybersecurity risks associated with transmitting massive quantities of sensitive personal data. States also fear the information could be repurposed for non-SNAP initiatives, potentially including federal immigration enforcement actions. Furthermore, they argue the USDA is exceeding its statutory authority by attempting to expand federal oversight beyond Congressional authorization.
It’s worth noting that several states with the highest SNAP payment error rates—including California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, and Oregon—are among those refusing to comply, according to USDA databases. The administration contends that more detailed recipient information is necessary to reduce errors and combat fraud within the system, while the states maintain that privacy risks outweigh potential benefits.
As the legal battle unfolds, SNAP remains one of America’s largest safety net programs. In fiscal year 2024, the program served an average of 41.7 million individuals monthly, with federal expenditures totaling $99.8 billion. Benefits averaged approximately $187.20 per participant per month.
SNAP eligibility criteria are established at the federal level, not by individual states. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, households must typically have gross income below 130% of the federal poverty line—roughly $2,888 monthly for a family of three. Only U.S. citizens and certain categories of legal immigrants, such as refugees and asylum seekers, qualify for benefits, while undocumented immigrants remain ineligible.
Additionally, most able-bodied adults without dependents must work at least 80 hours monthly or participate in approved employment programs to maintain their eligibility.
The administration is reportedly considering potential funding penalties for states that continue to withhold the requested information. This intensifying conflict raises broader questions about the limits of federal authority, data privacy protections, and the appropriate balance between ensuring program integrity and safeguarding civil liberties.
As the dispute continues, both sides appear entrenched in their positions, setting the stage for a potentially precedent-setting legal battle over federal access to sensitive personal data held by state governments.
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7 Comments
I’m curious to know more about the federal government’s rationale for this data collection. What specific program goals or policy decisions does this information support? The states’ resistance suggests this request may be an abuse of federal authority.
This seems like an overreach by the federal government. Requesting such sensitive personal data on SNAP recipients raises serious privacy concerns. States are right to push back against this directive.
While SNAP data may be useful for program administration, the scope of this request goes too far. Collecting full names, Social Security numbers, and home addresses of all recipients is an excessive demand on states.
This dispute highlights the ongoing tension between state and federal power. The states are rightfully protective of their residents’ personal information. The USDA should work with states to find a more balanced approach that respects privacy.
The USDA’s demand for detailed SNAP recipient data is concerning. While the federal government has an interest in program oversight, this level of personal information seems unjustified. I hope a compromise can be reached that satisfies both state and federal needs.
This dispute highlights the complex balance between federal program oversight and state sovereignty. I’ll be curious to see how this standoff is ultimately resolved.
While federal agencies need data to administer programs, the USDA’s demand for such sensitive SNAP recipient information seems excessive. States are right to be concerned about potential misuse or data breaches.