1. United States
2. Mich.
3. Letter

The administration's request for sensitive data on SNAP recipients raises serious privacy concerns and threatens to undermine public trust in the program. Providing personal information like Social Security numbers, addresses, and citizenship status to federal agencies could put vulnerable families at risk of surveillance, deportation, or other adverse consequences beyond the intended purpose of administering food assistance. This overreach has the potential to deter eligible individuals from accessing vital nutrition benefits out of fear, exacerbating food insecurity and undermining the program's efficacy. Maintaining confidentiality for SNAP applicants and recipients is crucial to protect their wellbeing and preserve the integrity of the program. States should push back against these unprecedented data demands and advocate for clear privacy safeguards. SNAP data should be used solely to determine eligibility and allocate benefits, not for unrelated enforcement purposes that could jeopardize participants' security and rights. Upholding data privacy protocols is essential to ensuring the public's faith in SNAP and its ability to fulfill its mission of combating hunger and supporting low-income households.