A Kansas district court judge dismisses a lawsuit filed by the state Attorney General against the Kelly administration over the release of SNAP information to federal authorities.

 

In May, the federal government's Food and Nutrition Services Program began requesting states supply personal infomration of people who had applied for SNAP or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. SNAP is a federal program that provides food benefits to low-income individuals and families in order to supplment their grocery budget and improve nutrition.

 

Kansas Secretary for the Department for Children and Families Laura Howard repeatedly denied the release of the information citing regulations on how that information should be shared with other agencies.

 

Attorney General Kris Kobach filed the suit to force the release of data because he believed it was required by state law and that he believed it could cost Kansas to lose more than $10 million in federal SNAP funds. The case was dismissed yesterday. The Attorney General's Office is considering an appeal.