Democratic Attorneys General Challenge USDA’s New SNAP Guidance

A group of 21 Democratic attorneys general has initiated a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This action aims to block new provisions that allegedly classify thousands of immigrants—including refugees and asylum seekers—as “permanently” ineligible for hunger relief benefits.

Filed by the attorney general in Eugene, Oregon, the lawsuit targets the USDA’s recently announced, more restrictive eligibility criteria for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This memo surfaced just last month and raised concerns among many, as it seems to contradict the intent of lawmakers by improperly categorizing individuals who legally hold permanent resident status as “permanently ineligible” for these benefits.

The attorneys general argue that this misguided guidance could upset SNAP’s stability across the nation, impacting access to food for families who, in their view, have complied with all requirements.

Concerns Over Eligibility

California Attorney General Rob Bonta expressed serious concerns about the new guidelines during a recent conference call. He pointed out that the USDA’s direction misapplies its own regulations regarding SNAP, which currently assists around 40 million Americans monthly.

While it’s uncertain exactly how many individuals will be affected state by state, estimates suggest the figure could reach the thousands, with over 30,000 residents in New York state potentially impacted alone.

Bonta stressed that the new guidance wrongly labels a group of legally present immigrants as “ineligible.” He noted that the law actually states they are eligible upon obtaining lawful permanent residency, likening the situation to a misguided maneuver akin to something out of a storybook, loosely referencing the Grinch.

Legal Action and Pushback

The lawsuit seeks emergency relief from a federal judge in Oregon to halt the USDA’s measures. The attorneys highlighted that the resulting fragmented benefits system could destabilize SNAP nationally, and that failure to comply with this guidance might lead to penalties for states.

Bonta criticized the USDA’s memo for failing to heed congressional intent, claiming it attempts to reshape regulations by threatening to cut food assistance from those who legally qualify.

Furthermore, states have raised objections to the USDA’s decision to release this narrower guidance a mere four months post-spending bill ratification.

During the call, officials pointed out that states would be compelled to adhere to these tighter standards for just one day, which they felt was an unreasonable expectation given the significant changes involved. Bonta remarked that the USDA imposes significant errors on states while providing them with little time to adapt.