Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear has joined a lawsuit with 23 other states and the District of Columbia to challenge a Trump administration policy that would grant broad access to sensitive personal information of families receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits. The lawsuit aims to block what leaders describe as an unlawful attempt to share confidential data.
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) issued a notice in June 2026, claiming expanded oversight of state TANF programs. This new policy would allow ACF to share detailed records, including Social Security numbers, addresses, and immigration status, with other federal agencies like the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and potentially private organizations. Over 28,200 Kentuckians rely on the federal TANF program, administered locally as the Kentucky Transitional Assistance Program (KTAP).
"I joined this lawsuit because no Kentuckian – and no American – should have to worry about their confidential and personal information being shared unlawfully," Gov. Beshear said. He emphasized that private information must remain protected. The coalition argues that Congress intended states to be responsible for verifying TANF eligibility, not for the federal government to broadly share recipient data. This policy could erode trust within immigrant communities and deter eligible individuals from seeking crucial assistance, while also diverting resources from vital programs for low-income families.