Justice Department Sues Michigan, 3 Other States Over Refusal to Share SNAP Data
Trump administration says states are violating federal law by withholding recipient records requested to investigate fraud, waste and abuse.
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Justice has filed lawsuits against four states, alleging they failed to comply with a federal directive requiring the release of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipient data to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The lawsuits, filed Friday against California, New York, Illinois and Michigan, seek court orders requiring the states to provide information the Trump administration says is necessary to identify fraud, waste and abuse within the nation’s largest food assistance program.
According to the Justice Department, the states refused to turn over requested SNAP records despite federal requirements tied to the administration of the program. The department argues the information is needed for the USDA to verify eligibility, identify duplicate enrollments and ensure taxpayer dollars are being spent appropriately.
Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement that states administering federally funded benefit programs must comply with federal law and cooperate with oversight efforts.
The lawsuits come amid an ongoing dispute between the Trump administration and several Democratic-led states over the collection and sharing of personal information from SNAP recipients. Some states have argued the federal government’s request raises privacy concerns and could violate existing federal laws protecting recipients’ personal information. Those concerns have been the subject of separate litigation filed in federal court.
The House Oversight Committee’s Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency also has launched an inquiry into several states’ refusal to provide SNAP data, saying the information could help uncover billions of dollars in potential fraud.
Representatives for the four states named in the lawsuits had not immediately responded to requests for comment Friday.
SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, provides food assistance to millions of low-income Americans through a federally funded program administered by individual states.
This would be a lawsuit brought on by Jocelyn Benson's refusal to turn over this information. Really, y'all still think she is Governor material? Only if you want more of Whitmer then vote her in and watch Michigan deteriorate much sooner.