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Federal Funding Action Tracker

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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. 

Issues in litigation 

Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (Public Charge)

Impacted federal programs: All means-tested public assistance benefits

More information: 

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)

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. 

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. 

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.