"WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump's administration warned on Tuesday that it will withhold money for administering SNAP food aid in most Democratic-controlled states starting next week unless those states provide information about people receiving the assistance. In response, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey called the withholding "truly appalling and cruel" and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said, "I wish I were surprised." "The Trump Administration is once again playing politics with the ability of working parents with children, seniors and people with disabilities to get food," Healey said in a statement."
"Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said at a Cabinet meeting Tuesday that the action is looming because those states are refusing to provide data the department requested, such as the names and immigration status of aid recipients. She said the cooperation is needed to root out fraud in the program. Democratic states have sued to block the requirement, saying they verify eligibility for SNAP beneficiaries and that they never share large swaths of sensitive program data with the federal government."
The Trump administration announced plans to withhold funds used to administer SNAP food aid in most Democratic-controlled states unless those states supply requested recipient information. Officials say the requested data, including names and immigration status, is necessary to detect fraud. Several Democratic-led states have sued to block the requirement and assert they already verify eligibility and protect sensitive program data. Massachusetts leaders condemned the move as politically motivated and harmful to families, seniors and people with disabilities. The USDA later clarified that the action targets administrative funds, not the direct benefit payments to recipients.
Read at Boston.com
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