Washington joins 21-state SNAP data lawsuit against USDA
Jul 30, 2025, 12:54 PM
The Washington attorney general joined a lawsuit against the USDA regarding SNAP. (Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)
(Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)
Washington Attorney General Nick Brown has joined 20 other states in filing a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), challenging a federal directive that requires states to submit sensitive data on millions of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court, claims the USDA’s request for detailed personal information, such as Social Security numbers and home addresses, violates federal privacy laws and exceeds the agency’s legal authority, according to a news release from the Washington State Office of the Attorney General.
The dispute centers around a new USDA rule introduced in May. It requires states to provide five years of personal data on everyone who applies for or receives SNAP benefits. In Washington state, this would impact over 1.2 million people.
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SNAP is funded by the federal government but managed by individual states. For over 60 years, this partnership has operated under clear boundaries regarding data sharing and eligibility verification.
The USDA has threatened to withhold administrative funding from states that refuse to comply, putting their ability to run the SNAP program at risk, according to Brown. The 21-state coalition, including California, New York, and Arizona, argues that the policy was enacted without proper public notice or a chance for comment, violating the Administrative Procedure Act.
The USDA has not yet issued a public response to the lawsuit.
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