The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has approved a motion to safeguard the privacy rights of food assistance recipients and pursue legal action against a federal mandate requiring states to share sensitive applicant data with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The motion, introduced by Chair Pro Tem Hilda L. Solis, was prompted by a July 2025 request from the USDA demanding five years of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) applicant information. The federal agency requested names, Social Security numbers, birth dates, addresses, and even shopping histories of recipients.
Officials warned that states refusing to comply could lose federal funding for SNAP, creating what county leaders called an “impossible choice” between providing food benefits and protecting resident privacy. Solis emphasized the county’s responsibility to defend the rights of its residents, particularly vulnerable communities. “It’s clear that while our federal government seeks to further erode public trust, we must stay united and ensure that every resident, regardless of immigration status, is able to safely access the essential services they have a legal right to,” she said…