Marina
Kansas has been dealt a $10.4 million funding loss following a standoff with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) over the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Federal officials confirmed that the state failed to provide critical program data requested earlier this year, triggering an immediate cut.
The USDA announced that unless Kansas complies, it will continue disallowing payments every three months, amplifying the financial impact. This action has sparked intense political conflict between Governor Laura Kelly, Attorney General Kris Kobach, and state legislators.
Why Did Kansas Lose the Funding?
The USDA requested comprehensive SNAP enrollment data from Kansas by July 30, 2025. Governor Kelly and Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) Secretary Laura Howard declined, citing concerns about protecting the personal information of 730,000 Kansans.
When a new deadline of September 19 also passed without compliance, federal officials pulled the funding. According to the USDA, the missing data is essential for identifying fraud, duplication, and misuse of federal funds.
Political Fallout in Kansas
The funding cut has fueled sharp political division:
- Attorney General Kris Kobach filed a lawsuit against Governor Kelly on September 8, accusing her of breaking Kansas law by withholding the information.
- House Speaker Dan Hawkins accused the governor of concealing “waste, fraud, and abuse” within the state’s SNAP system.
- Governor Kelly’s administration pushed back, arguing the refusal protects Kansans’ privacy and that an appeal will be filed, which temporarily halts the funding cut.
Governor Kelly’s Chief of Staff, Will Lawrence, emphasized:
“We will, of course, appeal the decision and continue to protect the security of Kansans’ private data. The filing of an appeal will automatically stay the disallowance of funds, meaning the SNAP program will continue to operate normally as the appeals process unfolds.”
Impact on Families and Communities
While political leaders clash, the potential consequences for Kansas families are significant. Nearly 730,000 residents depend on SNAP for food security. Losing $10.4 million in federal support could reduce resources for low-income households at a time when food prices remain high.
The Kansas Legislative Division of Post Audit has also opened an investigation into SNAP to identify possible payment errors or misuse, raising further uncertainty for families who rely on the program.
Financial Overview of the Dispute
| Key Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Funding lost | $10.4 million (September 20, 2025) |
| Future risks | Additional cuts every 3 months until compliance |
| People affected | Approx. 730,000 SNAP recipients in Kansas |
| Reason cited by USDA | Failure to provide enrollment data |
| Governor’s stance | Protecting personal information of Kansans |
| AG Kris Kobach’s stance | Governor breaking Kansas law, risking food security |
Broader Implications
Kansas is now the only state facing direct financial penalties over SNAP data refusal, putting national attention on the conflict. Federal officials argue the data is needed to safeguard taxpayer dollars, while the Kelly administration insists the privacy trade-off is unacceptable.
If the appeal fails, Kansas could lose tens of millions more in federal support over the coming year, potentially forcing state leaders to find alternative funding or make program cuts.
The Kansas SNAP funding battle highlights the tension between federal oversight and state privacy concerns. While Governor Kelly defends the protection of Kansans’ personal data, the USDA is pressing for transparency to ensure program integrity.
For families who rely on SNAP, the political struggle could have real consequences, potentially jeopardizing access to food assistance if the dispute continues.
The coming months — and the outcome of the appeal — will determine whether Kansas regains its funding or faces deeper financial setbacks.