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The Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) announced on August 14, that it will not release personal information of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) applicants, recipients, or household members, in response to a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) request. The USDA seeks the data to create a federal SNAP database that could be shared with other entities, though it is unclear if those entities are legally permitted to access it.

This follows an August 12 letter to Governor Laura Kelly from USDA Deputy Undersecretary Patrick Penn, noting that Kansas had not provided the requested participant data. In its latest correspondence, DCF asked the USDA to withdraw the request until pending litigation is resolved, citing potential legal liability if the demand violates federal law.

DCF Secretary Laura Howard emphasized the agency’s duty to protect personally identifiable SNAP information and noted the request would be a significant burden on resources, potentially costing $100,000 or more and taking months to fulfill. The requested data covers over 730,000 Kansans from January 2020 through July 2025, including names, social security numbers, dates of birth, addresses, and retailer records documenting SNAP usage.

DCF stressed that compiling this information is complex, requiring data validation from multiple sources. The department will continue administering SNAP in accordance with state and federal law while monitoring litigation outcomes.