More than 20 states and Washington, D.C., sued the Trump administration on Monday to block a policy that could give federal authorities access to Social Security numbers, immigration status and other personal information belonging to millions of welfare recipients.
Policy Expands Federal Access To TANF Data
The lawsuit targets a June 23 Administration for Children and Families notice expanding permitted uses of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families data. The policy, scheduled to take effect Aug. 11, authorizes disclosures to agencies or contractors assisting with program-integrity reviews, including citizenship or immigration checks.
The Federal Register notice says the government wants to confirm state compliance through audits, fraud investigations and monitoring. It adds Social Security numbers as searchable identifiers and allows ACF to use verification information from the Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration.
The administration says expanded access will protect taxpayers, verify eligibility and reduce fraud. It has pursued similar data demands involving SNAP, warning Democratic-led states that refused to provide recipient information, "No Data, No Money." Its broader anti-fraud drive has also triggered disputes over Medicaid and state social-service funding.
Benzinga reached out to the White House for comment but did not receive an immediate response.
States Call Plan A Sweeping Privacy Breach
The states argue that Congress assigned TANF eligibility verification to state governments and never authorized a sweeping federal data-sharing system. Their complaint calls ACF’s position an "extravagant" claim of authority and a "gross breach of personal privacy."
"Instead of helping families struggling with the rising cost of living, this administration is trying to turn antipoverty programs against the people they’re supposed to serve," New York Attorney General Letitia James said.
TANF distributes more than $16 billion annually to states, territories and tribal governments for cash assistance, job training, childcare, housing and other support for low-income families with children. The states warn that sharing records with immigration authorities could discourage legally eligible families from seeking help.
Coalition Seeks Court Intervention Before Deadline
Reuters reported that civil-rights and privacy groups filed a separate lawsuit in Brooklyn alleging Privacy Act violations.
The coalition says the policy violates the Administrative Procedure Act, federal privacy laws and the Constitution. It wants a judge to block the rule before Aug. 11, while the administration maintains stronger oversight will ensure states follow TANF rules.
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