In a Win for Individual Privacy, Judge Grants Temporary Stay Blocking USDA From Accessing Personal Information About SNAP Beneficiaries

Governor joined 21 attorneys general in July to fight unwarranted data requests

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced that a U.S. District Court judge has granted a temporary restraining order blocking the Trump administration’s U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) from unlawfully accessing the personal data of people receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

“I joined this lawsuit because no Kentuckian – and no American – should have to worry about their confidential and personal information being shared unlawfully,” Gov. Beshear said. “Millions of Americans, and more than half a million Kentuckians, receive SNAP benefits, and their privacy rights are just as important as everyone else’s.”

In late July, the Governor joined a lawsuit brought by 21 attorneys general challenging the USDA’s demand that states turn over sensitive personal information of SNAP beneficiaries.

On Friday, U.S. District Judge Maxine M. Chesney temporarily enjoined the USDA from continuing to seek the data and set further hearings on the matter for October.

Click here to read the order.