Federal Judge Blocks USDA Demands for SNAP Recipient Data in New York

Ruling prevents federal government from withholding food assistance funds over data privacy concerns

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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A federal judge has ordered the U.S. Department of Agriculture to stop withholding food assistance funds from New York and other states that have not shared personal data about Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients, including names, Social Security numbers, home addresses, and immigration statuses. The ruling extends a previous court order and prevents the federal government from penalizing those states while a related lawsuit proceeds through the courts.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing tension between federal data collection efforts and state-level privacy protections for social welfare program beneficiaries. The ruling affirms that states cannot be forced to violate their own laws and regulations around safeguarding sensitive personal information of SNAP recipients, even as the federal government seeks greater data access to combat fraud.

The details

The February 26 ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Maxine Chesney enforces an earlier injunction, meaning states do not have to comply with federal requests for the personal data of SNAP recipients. New York Attorney General Letitia James announced the decision, stating she will continue fighting to ensure New York families can access food assistance without fear for their safety. The ruling does not, however, delay new federal work requirements for able-bodied adult SNAP beneficiaries set to take effect on March 1.

  • The federal judge issued the order on February 26, 2026.
  • New federal work requirements for SNAP recipients are set to take effect on March 1, 2026.

The players

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

The federal agency that administers the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and had been demanding personal data on SNAP recipients from states.

Letitia James

The Attorney General of New York, who announced the federal court ruling blocking the USDA's data demands.

Maxine Chesney

The U.S. District Court Judge who issued the order prohibiting the USDA from withholding SNAP funds from states that refused to share personal data on recipients.

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What they’re saying

“As our lawsuit continues, I'll keep fighting to ensure New York families can get access to the food assistance they need without fearing for their safety.”

— Letitia James, New York Attorney General (Twitter)

“The federal government's demands would invalidate legitimate privacy protections and make it too difficult for the states to administer their own food programs.”

— Maxine Chesney, U.S. District Court Judge (Court ruling)

What’s next

The related lawsuit challenging the USDA's data demands will continue to proceed through the courts.

The takeaway

This case underscores the ongoing balance states must strike between complying with federal requirements and upholding their own laws and regulations around protecting the personal information of social welfare program beneficiaries. The ruling affirms that states cannot be forced to violate data privacy safeguards, even as the federal government seeks greater access to combat fraud.