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Federal Action Tracker
This page shares updates on federal actions that could affect Minnesota’s children, families, and communities and explains how the state is responding. It is designed to help the public, partners, providers, and others understand what is happening at the federal level, what it means for Minnesota, and how the state is working to protect services. Content will be updated as new information becomes available.
While some federal actions are under court review, programs continue to operate under existing practices and benefits remain available to eligible individuals and families unless otherwise directed.
Please send media inquiries to dcyf_media@state.mn.us.
Minnesota Family Investment Program – Federal waiver
Affected programs: The Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP), which combines cash assistance funded through Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) with food assistance funded through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for eligible families with children.
Current status: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) denied Minnesota’s request to amend its long-standing MFIP waiver and directed the state to change certain program rules or risk termination of the waiver. Some requested changes conflict with federal TANF requirements. DCYF is working with USDA to clarify these requirements and resolve the issues.
More information: Check out DCYF’s Status of the Minnesota Family Investment Program Demonstration Waiver FAQ page.
USDA programs - Funding freeze
Impacted federal grants: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) grants, including funding supporting the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Current status: Minnesota is reviewing the USDA’s January 9 notice and working with partners to assess potential impacts to federally funded programs and grants, including SNAP.
Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (Public Charge)
Impacted federal programs: All means-tested public assistance benefits
More information:
- Attorney General Ellison sues to block illegal Trump attempt to punish immigrants
- Does public charge apply to you?
Current status: The Department of Homeland Security issued a new policy, known as the public charge rule, which would allow immigration officers broad discretion to deny green cards based on use of public benefits. On September 14, 2026, the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office joined a coalition of 22 states and the District of Columbia in filing a lawsuit to stop the new rule from going into effect.
Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Impacted federal programs: All means-tested public assistance benefits
More information: https://www.ag.state.mn.us/Office/Communications/2026/09/14_Public-Charge-Rule.asp
Current status: The Department of Homeland Security issued a new policy, known as the public charge rule, which would allow immigration officers broad discretion to deny green cards based on use of public benefits. On September 14, 2026, the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office joined a coalition of 22 states and the District of Columbia in filing a lawsuit to stop the new rule from going into effect.
Administration of Children and Families – Funding Freeze
Impacted federal grants: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Social Services Block Grant (SSBG), and Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF)
More information: https://www.ag.state.mn.us/Office/Communications/2026/02/06_ACF_FundingFreeze.asp
Current status: Current status: On July 8, ACF notified DCYF that it is rescinding its January 5 and 6 letters and rescinding the funding decisions at issue in this case, including ACF's decision to place Minnesota on a temporary restricted drawdown. The preliminary injunction granted by the District Court on February 6 remains in place while litigation continues.
Department of Justice - SNAP data
Impacted federal programs: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Current status: The Department of Justice initiated litigation seeking a court order requiring Minnesota to provide SNAP participant data. A preliminary injunction remains in effect in previously filed litigation against USDA preventing USDA from requiring states to provide the requested SNAP data while that litigation continues.
H.R. 1 and federal guidance on non-citizen eligibility
Impacted federal programs: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
More information: https://www.ag.state.mn.us/Office/Communications/2025/11/26_SNAP.asp
Current status: On July 7, the District Court clarified its preliminary injunction and enjoined USDA from counting errors related to non-citizen eligibility against the plaintiff states from July 4, 2025, through April 9, 2026, regardless of when the plaintiff states implemented the changes. DCYF implemented the H.R. 1 non-citizen eligibility changes following revised USDA guidance issued in March 2026. On September 17, 2026, the District Court granted summary judgment in favor of Plaintiff states and found that USDA acted unlawfully when it tried to count errors related to non-citizen eligibility from the date H.R. 1 was passed rather than from the date USDA circulated implementing memoranda.
PRWORA eligibility Interpretation
Impacted federal programs: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and Social Services Block Grant (SSBG).
Current status: A federal court has issued a preliminary injunction that temporarily blocks the federal government from implementing the July 2025 PRWORA eligibility interpretation. The changes will not take effect unless the court issues a future order.
PRWORA is the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, a landmark federal law that fundamentally reformed the nation's welfare system.
SNAP data litigation
Impacted federal programs: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility and recertification processes.
More information: https://www.ag.state.mn.us/Office/Communications/2025/07/29_USDA.asp
Current status: A federal court has temporarily blocked the USDA from requiring the State to turn over SNAP recipient data while litigation proceeds. DCYF continues to meet the USDA’s regular data reporting requirements, which are not impacted by the court order.
SNAP pilot recertification requirement
Impacted federal grants: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility and recertification processes.
More information: https://www.ag.state.mn.us/Office/Communications/2025/12/23_SNAP.asp
Current status: A federal court has temporarily blocked the USDA from enforcing the SNAP pilot recertification requirement while litigation proceeds. SNAP benefits continue as usual.
USDA – Funding Terms & Conditions
Impacted federal grants: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)
More information: https://www.ag.state.mn.us/Office/Communications/2026/03/23_USDA.asp
Current Status: The District Court granted a preliminary injunction preventing USDA from implementing its new grant general terms and conditions while litigation continues.