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Kansas officials have once again declined to comply with a request from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide personal data of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients.
The Department for Children and Families (DCF) announced on Wednesday that it would not meet the July 30 federal deadline, citing legal and privacy concerns.
Legal Risks and Data Sensitivity at the Center
According to a DCF press release, complying with the USDA’s request could expose the agency to legal liability, particularly as a multi-state lawsuit is currently challenging the USDA’s authority to demand such data.
Although Kansas is not a party to the lawsuit, the outcome could impact the legality of data sharing.
The USDA had requested sensitive personal information from Kansans who applied for or received SNAP benefits between January 1, 2020, and July 30, 2025.
This includes Social Security numbers, birth dates, residential addresses, and transaction data from SNAP retailers.
Federal Database Plan Raises Privacy Concerns
The USDA intends to build a federal database that could potentially share SNAP participant data with other federal, state, and local agencies for purposes such as law enforcement and fraud investigations.
In a letter addressed to Gina Brand, USDA’s senior policy advisor for integrity, Kansas DCF Secretary Laura Howard said the agency’s intent to distribute this information for legal proceedings was part of the reason for refusing the request.
DCF Prioritizes Confidentiality and Resource Management
“The lawsuit argues that USDA’s data demands violate statutory and constitutional protections,” said Secretary Howard, emphasizing that Kansas cannot risk potential liability should a court find the USDA’s actions unlawful.
Howard also noted that the process to compile and transfer such detailed data would require extensive resources, including time, staffing, and funding, which made the July 30 deadline impractical.
Protecting Kansans’ Privacy
“DCF is committed to safeguarding the personal data of Kansans and upholding confidentiality under both state and federal laws,” the statement read.
“This request from the USDA goes beyond the standard operation of the SNAP program and threatens the privacy of hundreds of thousands of Kansas families who rely on food assistance.”
Howard said the state will continue to monitor the legal proceedings and may reconsider its position depending on how the litigation unfolds.
Kansas has once again drawn a firm line in defense of its SNAP recipients’ privacy, resisting federal efforts to centralize personal data.
Until the courts provide clarity on the legality of such demands, DCF remains committed to protecting sensitive information and minimizing legal risk.