State authorities in Kansas have formally declined a request from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to release personal information of residents who participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
The Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) received the request on May 6, detailing an expansive demand for personal data. The USDA sought full access to information associated with all federally funded state programs, including SNAP.
Details of the Federal Request
The USDA letter, signed by Gina Brand, senior policy advisor for integrity at the Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services division, specified that it was seeking detailed information for each SNAP applicant or recipient. This included:
| Data Requested | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Full legal name of each SNAP recipient |
| Social Security Number | Unique personal identification |
| Date of Birth | For demographic and eligibility verification |
| Residential Address | Location-based tracking and communication |
| SNAP Benefit Records | Benefit amounts received over time |
The request covered a time period from January 1, 2020, to the present.
Third-Party Involvement and Legal Implications
Fidelity Information Services LLC (FIS), the third-party database administrator responsible for DCF’s SNAP data, notified the department on May 9 of the USDA’s formal request.
Prashant Gupta, FIS senior vice president, stated the company was ready to comply based on federal guidance and awaited written approval from DCF.
However, in a May 14 response, Carla Whiteside Hicks, director of economic and employment services at DCF, explicitly rejected the request.
“We do not consent to your providing the USDA the requested information at this time,” wrote Whiteside Hicks, citing the importance of safeguarding Kansans’ personal data. “Disclosure is only permitted for specific program-related purposes, and the USDA’s intent remains unclear.”
Kansas Prioritizes Confidentiality Over Compliance
Whiteside Hicks also requested that FIS return any information already shared with USDA and submit any written communications received from the federal agency.
She emphasized that the USDA should communicate directly with DCF going forward, rather than through third parties.
Erin LaRow, DCF spokesperson, reaffirmed the department’s stance, noting:
“The security of Kansans’ personal information is paramount to the agency, and we are committed to maintaining confidentiality consistent with both state and federal law.”
Kansas officials have taken a firm stance to protect the privacy of SNAP participants, choosing transparency and confidentiality over federal compliance without clear justification.
By denying the USDA’s data request, the Kansas Department for Children and Families highlights its commitment to safeguarding sensitive information in alignment with legal and ethical obligations.
As the dialogue between the state and federal agencies continues, the core priority remains clear: the protection of Kansans’ personal data.