Hey ma, what’s for dinner? We’re so hungry we could eat a dinosaur. 🦕 Wait, not a whole dinosaur…just the dino-shaped chicken nuggets. With a side of mac and cheese, please! 😋🥣
With grocery prices still inflated like your political uncle’s ego, many Americans use assistance programs like SNAP to make ends meet. 🛒 However, a spat between the USDA and PA over data is shaking things up.
Here’s Five Fast Facts on Pennsylvania’s food stamp data:
- 🧑💻 Data Demands - The USDA wants its hands on five years worth of SNAP data from PA. The data includes sensitive info, like Social Security numbers. The government agency gave the Keystone state until September 19th to give it up, but it did not do so.
- 🏌️ Swing and a Miss - The day after the missed deadline, the USDA “disallowed” $115M in funding for PA’s food stamp program. Disallowed is a fancy way of saying “denying reimbursement”. This move means a 10% cut to the amount PA gets from the government every three months.
- ❄️ Fast Freeze - Recently, a federal judge granted a motion to temporarily block the USDA from getting SNAP data from 21 states. A suit was filed by the other states back in July, which PA eventually joined. We should hear soon whether or not the freeze applies to PA, who was late to the party.
- 🔐 Privacy, Please - One of the biggest concerns with sharing SNAP data is privacy. Critics worry that sharing this sensitive information could negatively impact those in the program. Other critics worry that the data could be used to root out undocumented immigrants.
- ⚖️ Sue Me - This isn’t the first time the Shapiro administration has had a bone to pick with D.C. Since Trump returned to office, the governor has sued federal authorities over a dozen times.
🔥Bottom line: You know what they say…sharing is caring! Unless it’s sensitive data, then it’s not so easy peasy. Whatever happens, let’s hope those who depend on SNAP can keep on keepin’ on. Up to your ears in student loan debt? PA ranked in the top ten on a list of states with the most of it! Head over to this article to see who else made the cut.
Do you think PA should hand over the data?
Let us know by connecting with us on Facebook and Instagram! Also, remember to share this newsletter with your friends & coworkers!
Btw, If you’ve read this far and haven’t yet signed up for the weekly Paycheckology newsletter, CLICK HERE!
