The US government will stop collecting data on who gets food assistance and why
What happened
The US Department of Agriculture is reversing a rule that would have required states to collect more detailed data on who receives food assistance. This means states will no longer have to report demographic information like race, ethnicity, and disability status for people applying for or receiving SNAP benefits.
Why it matters
For years, advocates have pushed for better data to understand if food assistance programs are reaching everyone fairly. This change means the government will have less information about potential discrimination or unequal access to food aid. It makes it harder to see if certain groups are being left out.
The signal
Watch for reports from advocacy groups and researchers who will likely try to fill this data gap using other methods, or for new legislative efforts to mandate similar data collection.