Part 3/6:
Data-Sharing Initiatives and State Compliance
In February of this year, for the first time, federal authorities requested all states to provide their data on SNAP participants to the federal government. The goal was to collaborate with state agencies to detect and eliminate fraud, ensure aid reaches those in genuine need, and safeguard taxpayer funds.
While 21 states, including California, New York, and Minnesota (generally considered blue states), agreed to share their data, a disappointing 29 states, mostly red states, declined to participate. This refusal has hampered efforts to conduct comprehensive, nationwide fraud detection.