22 states could lose SNAP funds next week-unless they hand over private data

"The Trump administration says it may withhold Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits from recipients in 22 states and Washington, D.C starting as early as next week, unless the states in question provide information on those receiving the assistance to the federal government. The states have argued that the information being requested is private, and that handing it over would be a violation of privacy laws.On Tuesday, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins addressed the issue at a Cabinet meeting."

"Rollins said that cooperation from all 50 states is necessary in order "to root out this fraud and to protect the American taxpayer," doubling down on previous statements alleging that SNAP benefits are going to people who should not be receiving them, or the deceased. "We've arrested more than 120 people with SNAP fraud," Rollins said in a recent News Nation interview."

The federal government is threatening to withhold SNAP benefits in 22 states and Washington, D.C. unless those states provide information on benefit recipients to the USDA. States argue the requested data is private and handing it over would violate privacy laws. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said cooperation from all 50 states is necessary to root out alleged SNAP fraud and protect taxpayers, noting more than 120 arrests tied to SNAP fraud. A USDA spokesperson described a SNAP integrity team and said many states joined the effort. A Congressional Research Service report states SNAP fraud is rare. Twenty-two states and D.C. have sued the USDA, alleging arbitrary exclusion of lawful permanent residents under new eligibility interpretations.

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