USDA May Withold SNAP Benefits from Blue States that Fail to Comply with Data Request

In response to refusal by certain Democratic-controlled states to provide information concerning potential food stamp fraud, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is threatening to withhold their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. In response, Democratic-led states have sued the Trump administration, which resulted in a federal judge issuing a preliminary injunction. However, in late November, the federal government sent a letter, stating that it was time for the states to comply, although the parties then agreed to a December 8 response date. Any disruption in SNAP benefits hits particularly hard on disadvantaged populations, including Native Tribal communities for which more than 60% rely upon SNAP to meet their basic food needs. Such communities already faced food instability when SNAP benefits were denied during the federal government shutdown earlier this year.