A federal judge in Denver has temporarily halted a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) pilot project that would have required over 100,000 households in Colorado to recertify their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits within 30 days. This ruling, issued on Wednesday, December 17, 2023, prevents the USDA from enforcing a sudden directive that could have forced state and county workers to expedite renewals under the threat of funding cuts.
U.S. District Court Senior Judge R. Brooke Jackson delivered the ruling, stating that Colorado faced “imminent and irreparable harm” from the potential sanctions associated with the pilot program. The judge pressed Justice Department attorneys for evidence of fraud in the five targeted counties — Arapahoe, Adams, Jefferson, Boulder, and Douglas — and emphasized that the mere threat of sanctions was causing real harm to families relying on benefits.
Legal Challenges to USDA Policies
This decision is part of a broader trend of legal challenges against the administration’s efforts to scrutinize state-run SNAP systems and increase data collection on recipients. According to the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office, a federal judge in Minnesota recently granted a preliminary injunction against similar demands from the USDA, labeling the 30-day recertification orders as unmanageable. Other courts across the United States have also taken steps to limit USDA’s data-collection initiatives.
The initial directive from the USDA required Colorado to participate in the pilot program, compelling state officials to review and recertify every SNAP household in the specified counties within a tight timeframe. Officials argued that this unexpected mandate would disrupt Colorado’s standard six-month recertification schedule, potentially affecting the livelihoods of many families. The USDA’s warning indicated that non-compliance could jeopardize Colorado’s participation in SNAP.
Implications for Families and Future Actions
SNAP plays a crucial role in supporting tens of millions of Americans, and abrupt changes in eligibility checks can lead to administrative backlogs and interruptions in benefits. This risk has been highlighted in numerous court cases. With the preliminary injunction now in place, the case will continue in federal court, and an appeal may follow.
Judge Jackson indicated that he would issue a detailed written order explaining his reasoning for the ruling. The outcome of this legal battle will significantly influence whether the USDA can implement similar unilateral pilot programs in other states, potentially affecting thousands of households nationwide.
