HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A coalition of 22 states, including Hawaii, is challenging a federal demand for detailed information about SNAP recipients, arguing the Trump administration is overreaching by requesting sensitive personal data.

Federal agriculture officials say the information is needed to identify and prevent fraud in the nation’s largest food assistance program.

At a cabinet meeting Tuesday, agriculture secretary Brooke Rollins said action is imminent because those states have refused to provide the requested data, which includes names and immigration status of SNAP beneficiaries.

“So as of next week, we have begun and will begin to stop moving federal funds into those states until they comply and allow us to partner with them to root out this fraud and protect the American taxpayer,” Rollins said.

The states suing to block the requirement argue they already verify eligibility and have never shared that level of sensitive information with the federal government.

“We will always protect the SNAP recipient’s personal information,” said Joseph Campos, deputy director at Hawaii’s Department of Human Services. “There are strict guidelines and laws that dictate how, when and with whom we can share personal information. The 22 states and the District of Columbia feel this request is unlawful.”

Nationwide, about 42 million low-income Americans, roughly one in eight, rely on SNAP to buy groceries. The average benefit is roughly $190 per person per month, or just over six dollars a day. In Hawaii, about 89,000 households, an estimated 169,000 individuals, receive SNAP assistance.

U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda, D-Hawaii, said the potential loss of federal funding could significantly impact Hawaii families.

“This should make everyone upset, no matter what side of the aisle they’re on,” Tokuda said. “They’re willing to literally starve keiki to kūpuna, hungry children, working families, senior citizens and veterans.”

Tokuda said the state could see tens of millions of dollars withheld.

“Just holding back administrative costs is tens of millions of dollars,” she said. “For Hawaii, we’re talking about $30 million, money that could help bring down the cost of living in our state.”

State officials say one piece of good news, at least for now, is that the administration is not threatening benefits already loaded onto SNAP cards, funds families rely on each month to put food on the table.

Copyright 2025 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.