Summary
Kansas is losing over $10 million in federal money for food assistance because it did not meet new data-sharing rules from the USDA. The USDA wants states to share certain information about people who get food aid to help prevent fraud. Kansas submitted a plan to comply but it was rejected, and the state plans to appeal the decision.
Key Facts
- Kansas is set to lose $10.4 million in federal funds for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
- The USDA requires states to share data on SNAP beneficiaries, including personal information, to prevent fraud.
- Kansas did not join a lawsuit against this data-sharing rule but chose not to comply due to privacy concerns.
- The state had a deadline of September 19 to send the data or risk losing funds.
- Kansas offered a plan to provide the data gradually but the USDA rejected it.
- The appeal process will temporarily stop the funding cut while the dispute is resolved.
- Kansas Governor Laura Kelly and her staff plan to appeal the USDA’s decision over privacy concerns.
- The total number of Kansans affected includes more than 730,000 households.
