Pennsylvania Joins Lawsuit Against Trump Admin Over Demand for Food Stamp Data

Pennsylvania has been added to a lawsuit over the Trump Administration’s demand for personal information on food-stamp recipients. State officials hope the legal maneuver will provide breathing room in an increasingly heated dispute, one that could cost Pennsylvania half a billion dollars each year.

At issue is a demand by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for five years’ worth of data — including Social Security numbers and other information — about Pennsylvanians who receive benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. In a letter citing privacy concerns, the state declined to hand over the records for a Sept. 19 deadline. Court records show that on the next day, USDA “disallowed” $115 million of funds earmarked for the state’s food-assistance program.

Read more at WESA