Korakine
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korakine.bsky.social
Korakine
@korakine.bsky.social
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largely a lurker
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Reposted by Korakine
snmrrw.bsky.social
USDA plans to give Palantir a no-bid contract for AI "data integration" for the National Farm Security Action Plan which notably highlights SNAP 'fraud.'

So Palantir AI will ingest "key user data previously submitted by applicants" to "conduct security checks."

It'll cost up to $300 million.
United States Department of Agriculture Limited Sources Justification For an Order/BPA Exceeding the Simplified Acquisition Threshold FAR 8.4 Ordering under the Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) Control No. (if applicable) 1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity. 1a. Requesting Activity Agency: USDA Office of the Chief Information Officer 1b. Contracting Activity: USDA Office of Contracting and Procurement, Procurement Operations Division 2. The nature and/or description of the action being approved. This limited source justification supports the establishment of a single award Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) under the GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS), Information Technology (IT) for Palantir Platform current and future commercial solutions, including core software, data, compute infrastructure, and ancillary support services, such as software modifications, auxiliary modules, engineering services, and training in direct support of the National Farm Security Action Plan (NFSAP). Specific technical requirements include, but are not limited, to consolidation of complex data systems and environments into a unified platform which enables rapid deployment of Al functionality. This capability includes integration with key user data previously submitted by applicants for access of USDA services to reduce overall application and processing times and to automate data collection and extraction from forms to seamlessly integrate existing USDA data sources to conduct key security checks and expedite benefits processing for eligible applicants. Real-time data synchronization with existing producer and entity management systems will ensure accurate applicant information to inform and facilitate speedier and more accurate application processing and payment disbursement where applicable. Other key technical requirements include implementing real time and continuous compliance monitoring with automate risk or alert generation or regulatory compliance officers and other personnel upon detection of threats or anomalies, in addition to establishing complete transaction logging and compliance documentation capabilities across all integrated tools and workflows for regulatory reporting and oversight activities. This includes implementing standardized integration protocols and Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) that maintain existing security controls, audit trails, and data privacy protection across all system interfaces. The BPA will include a one-year base period, with two (2) one-year option periods for a total potential ordering period of three (3) years. The estimated BPA ceiling is $300 million. Screenshot from "https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/farm-security-nat-sec.pdf" reading: 3. U.S. Nutrition Safety Net Must be Protected from Fraud, Abuse, and Foreign Adversaries Programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) should be preserved for truly needy individuals legally in the United States, safeguarding them from fraud, abuse, and foreign adversaries while respecting the generosity of the American taxpayer. Vulnerabilities in the SNAP payment system are a persistent target of transnational criminals and gangs. Law enforcement has identified a troubling trend of transnational criminal organizations (TCO) stealing from the poor and the American taxpayer by such means as cloning point of sale devices and card skimming. The proceeds often are used by the TCOs to fund their criminal activity. • Action: In alignment with President Trump's Executive Order 14218, Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Open Borders, USDA will ensure all relevant programs comply with associated laws, regulations, and Executive Orders; implement strengthened enforcement measures; clarify expectations for both States and authorized retailers to mitigate benefit trafficking and other types of fraud; and improve the integrity of application processes. • Action: In partnership with USDA's Office of Inspector General and other federal agencies, ensure no funds across USDA's 16 nutrition programs are being used to fund activities related to terrorism or criminal activity. • Action: The USDA will disqualify authorized retailers that are complicit in SNAP fraud or otherwise demonstrate a lack of responsible business behavior to transact SNAP benefits. USDA will also enhance its work with Federal and local law enforcement to combat SNAP retail fraud, including benefit trafficking and card skimming and cloning.
December 15, 2025 at 9:19 PM
Reposted by Korakine
dananessel.bsky.social
The law is clear on who can receive SNAP benefits, yet the Trump Administration is trying to strip rightful recipients of the support they need to feed their families.

www.fox2detroit.com/news/dana-ne...
Dana Nessel joins 21 attorneys general in blocking new 'unlawful' SNAP eligibility guidance
Attorney General Dana Nessel joined 21 other attorneys general across the country to file a lawsuit that they say is expected to stop the federal government from restricting SNAP benefits.
www.fox2detroit.com
December 1, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Reposted by Korakine
nycsouthpaw.bsky.social
You really gotta follow up on an underspecified claim like “we found 186k dead people.”

People die every day, and the government is always going to be some amount behind in working out the administrative consequences, but that doesn’t mean the deceased’s EBT accounts were somehow used for fraud.
atrupar.com Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · Nov 13
Brooke Rollins: "SNAP is a broken program. SNAP is full of corruption. We found 186,000 dead people."
November 13, 2025 at 4:55 PM
korakine.bsky.social
Yes, this is in line with what the state agencies were told. Most of the Ukrainians in my area were parolees, so they are losing eligibility.
bendavanzo.bsky.social Ben D’Avanzo @bendavanzo.bsky.social · Nov 9
People granted parole for more than one year are also losing SNAP, so that might cover some too
November 9, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Reposted by Korakine
donmoyn.bsky.social
Some states got full benefits out after the courts ordered them to. The White House is saying that was illegal. But it would also be illegal to claw back those benefits. The net result is that some SNAP users got full benefits, and some did not depending on how aggressively their state acted.
“To the extent states sent full SNAP payment files for November 2025, this was unauthorized,” wrote Patrick A. Penn, a top official at the Agriculture Department. “Accordingly, states must immediately undo any steps taken to issue full SNAP benefits for November 2025.” David A. Super, a professor at the Georgetown University Law Center, said it would not be “legal” for the government to claw back benefits that it had already provisioned without affording people due process.
November 9, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Reposted by Korakine
tonyromm.bsky.social
NEW: The Trump admin told states it must immediately "undo" the work to provide full food stamp benefits, or face penalties. The feds sent this in a late-night memo, only adding to the chaos and confusion around SNAP. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/09/b...
Trump Administration Demands States ‘Undo’ Work to Send Full Food Stamps
www.nytimes.com
November 9, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Reposted by Korakine
chrisgeidner.bsky.social
UPDATE: Justice Jackson temporarily blocks SNAP benefits order to allow appeals court to rule.

DOJ asked SCOTUS for a stay as USDA was in the middle of completing its process for making full payments. Jackson's order came a little past 9 p.m.

Law Dork: www.lawdork.com/p/trump-admi...
Justice Jackson temporarily blocks SNAP benefits order to allow appeals court to rule
DOJ asked SCOTUS for a stay as USDA was in the middle of completing its process for making full payments. Update: Jackson's order came a little past 9 p.m.
www.lawdork.com
November 8, 2025 at 2:56 AM
Reposted by Korakine
chrisgeidner.bsky.social
BREAKING: DOJ goes to SCOTUS trying to stop a district court order that USDA pay out full SNAP benefits this month.

The First Circuit denied an administrative stay, but has not yet ruled on the stay request. And, CNN reported that USDA is already processing payments.

DOJ went to SCOTUS anyway.
In the Supreme Court of the United States BROOKE ROLLINS, SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE, ET AL., APPLICANTS RHODE ISLAND STATE COUNCIL OF CHURCHES, ET AL. APPLICATION TO STAY THE ORDERS ISSUED BY THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF RHODE ISLAND AND REQUEST FOR AN IMMEDIATE ADMINISTRATIVE STAY BY 9:30PM D. JOHN SAUER Solicitor General Counsel of Record Department of Justice
November 7, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Reposted by Korakine
apnews.com
BREAKING: The Trump administration seeks an emergency pause to a court order demanding full November SNAP payments.
Trump administration seeks to halt SNAP food aid payments after a court order
The Trump administration has asked a federal appeals court to block a judge’s order to distribute November’s full SNAP benefits during a U.S. government shutdown. U.S.
bit.ly
November 7, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Reposted by Korakine
anacabrera.bsky.social
JUST IN: Judge orders Trump administration to deliver full SNAP benefits to states by Friday
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
Judge orders Trump administration to deliver full SNAP benefits to states by Friday
The administration had said it would distribute partial payments in November, but that the process could take weeks.
www.nbcnews.com
November 6, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Reposted by Korakine
donmoyn.bsky.social
I'm doing more research on Direct File, interviewing people who worked on the project. Cancelling it is just an incredible own goal, not just because it allowed people to pay taxes for free, but because it was an incredible demonstration that government could build top quality tech products in-house
Once Direct File reached its full stride, it was estimated to save about $11 billion per year for taxpayers (an average of $160 per user) and help unlock about $12 billion in government benefits that those taxpayers were eligible for. The Direct File cost was relatively small, about about $32 million to get it going. This is peanuts compared to the billions that are often wasted on government tech projects that deliver little. One analysis found that it delivered about $106 in value for every dollar invested. Users loved Direct File. In 2024, 86% of users said it increased their trust in IRS, not the most beloved of organizations. The Direct File “net promoter score” (a measure of customer satisfaction and loyalty) is 84, well above that of TurboTax, and even Apple. In user surveys conducted by Code for America, 94% prefer Direct File and state equivalents to their previous filing method and 84% said they were “very satisfiedˮwith another 14% being “satisfied” with the product. Direct File expanded the tax filing pool. Over time, the federal government has shifted more and more of the safety net to the tax system, primarily via the Child Tax Credit and the Earned Income Tax Credit. One problem is that people with very low incomes are not obliged to file, even when it’s in their interest to do so. By being truly free, Direct File captured some of those people. About 1 in 4 of Direct File users were non-filers the previous year, a much higher rate than any other filing alternative.
November 4, 2025 at 11:21 PM
Reposted by Korakine
stevenlandgraf.com
Doesn't seem like they have the authority to prohibit this. The equal treatment rule in the Fed Register (part b) only pertains to accepting coupons (i.e EBT payments) at different prices. Nothing about the prohibition applying to a family participating in SNAP but paying entirely in non-EBT funds.
CFR Subsection 278.2 part (b): Equal treatment for coupon customers. Coupons shall be accepted for eligible foods at the same prices and on the same terms and conditions applicable to cash purchases of the same foods at the same store except that tax shall not be charged on eligible foods purchased with coupons. However, nothing in this part may be construed as authorizing FNS to specify the prices at which retail food stores may sell food.
November 2, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Reposted by Korakine
chrisgeidner.bsky.social
NEWS: In the Rhode Island case, per the minute entry, "the Court orders the USDA to distribute contingency funds; report to the Court by 12:00 PM on Monday, November 3, 2025, regarding the status of the distribution; and to honor the existing waivers."
Date Filed # Docket Text 10/31/2025 ORAL ORDER granting 3 • Motion for TRO for reasons stated on the record at the hearing on October 31, 2025. So Ordered by Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr. on 10/31/2025. (Simoncelli, Michael) (Entered: 10/31/2025) 10/31/2025 Minute Entry for proceedings held before Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr.: Motion Hearing held on 10/31/2025 re 3 4 Emergency MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order and Preliminary Stay under 5 U.S.C. 705. Participants: A. Romero, M. Torcello, J. Jasrasaria, and K. Hubbard for Plaintiffs; T. Becker for Defendants. Court explains that it has read Plaintiffs' papers and asks Defendants to start hearing by addressing Plaintiffs' argument regarding availability of contingency funds; Defendants make argument; Court questions Defendants; Plaintiffs respond; Court questions Plaintiffs; Defendants respond. Court asks Defendants to address Plaintiffs' argument re: waiver issue; Defendants make argument; Court questions; Plaintiffs respond; Court questions; Defendants respond. Court grants Motion for Temporary Restraining Order (ECF No. 3) for reasons stated on the record. Additionally, the Court orders the USDA to distribute contingency funds; report to the Court by 12:00 PM on Monday, November 3, 2025, regarding the status of the distribution; and to honor the existing waivers. (Zoom Video Conference at 1:00 PM.) (Simoncelli, Michael) (Entered: 10/31/2025)
October 31, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Reposted by Korakine
chrisgeidner.bsky.social
BREAKING: Federal judge rules that the Trump administration likely illegally suspended SNAP benefits, ruling that at least reduced distribution is required to go forward under law using the $6 billion reserve fund.

Judge gives the Trump admin until Monday to respond as to whether it will act.
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS ET AL., Plaintiffs, V. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE ET AL., Defendants. * * * * * * * * * * * Civil Action No. 1:25-cv-13165-IT MEMORANDUM AND ORDER October 31, 2025 TALWANI, D.J. Pending before the court is Plaintiffs' Motion for a Temporary Restraining Order [Doc. No. 3] seeking to enjoin, on an emergency basis, Defendants' November 1, 2025 suspension of benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ("SNAP"). For the reasons stated below, Plaintiffs have standing to bring this action and are likely to succeed on their claim that Defendants' suspension of SNAP benefits is unlawful. Where that suspension of benefits rested on an erroneous construction of the relevant statutory provisions, the court will allow Defendants to consider whether they will authorize at least reduced SNAP benefits for November, and report back to the court no later than Monday, November 3, 2025. A. Likelihood of Success on the Merits Plaintiffs have demonstrated a strong likelihood of success on the merits of their claim under the Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. § 706(2)(A), (C), that Defendants' suspension of SNAP benefits is contrary to law. At core, Defendants' conclusion that USDA is statutorily prohibited from funding SNAP because Congress has not enacted new appropriations for the current fiscal year is erroneous. To the contrary, Defendants are statutorily mandated to use the previously appropriated SNAP contingency reserve when necessary and also have discretion to use other previously appropriated funds as detailed below. As both parties acknowledge, Congress has not yet appropriated any new funds for SNAP benefits for Fiscal Year 2026, which began on October 1, 2025. Pls.' Mem. 6 [Doc. No. 4]; Defs.' Opp'n 7 [Doc. No. 18]. But Congress took steps to protect against the deprivation of SNAP assistance. In the 2024 Consolidated Appropriations Act, Pub. L. No. 118-42, § 6, 138 Stat. 25, 93-94, Congress separately appropriated $6 billion to the SNAP program "to remain available through September 30, 2026" and "be placed in reserve for use only in such amounts and at such times as may become necessary to carry out program operations." See also Pub. L. No. 119-4, § 1101(a), 139 Stat. 9, 10 (2025). As Plaintiffs point out, given the mandatory nature of SNAP benefits under 7 U.S.C. § 2014(a) and the appropriation of these funds to be available 10 Case 1:25-cv-13165-IT Document 26 Filed 10/31/25 Page 11 of 15 through this current fiscal year, the government is obligated to use this contingent reserve account to fund SNAP "as may become necessary to carry out program operations." 138 Stat. at 93-94; Pls.' Mem. 11 [Doc. No. 4]. Defendants argue out that a "suspension" is permitted under USDA's regulations, and that USDA "has consistently interpreted its authority to allow for the suspension or cancellation of benefits when necessary." Defs. Opp'n 6 [Doc. No. 18). The regulation at issue, 7 C.F.R. $ 271.7(a), sets forth procedures to be followed if monthly SNAP allowances "must be reduced, suspended, or cancelled to comply with section 18 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008" (emphasis added). But that the regulation allows for a suspension when there are no funds does not mean that Defendants may choose a suspension over a reduction while funds do remain. If the regulation did authorize such discretion, it would be inconsistent with the statutory mandate that benefits "shall" be paid unless funding is no longer available.
October 31, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Reposted by Korakine
zoetillman.bsky.social
New: The Trump administration is facing a new lawsuit from Democratic state officials over food aid benefits set to end soon for tens of millions of Americans, accusing US officials of unlawfully refusing to tap alternative sources of money during the government shutdown
buff.ly/8jYuSJW
October 28, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Reposted by Korakine
reuters.com
US Department of Agriculture says no food aid benefits will be issued next month reut.rs/3WohHMk
US Department of Agriculture says no food aid benefits will be issued next month
The U.S. Department of Agriculture said on Saturday that food benefits under one of the country's biggest social assistance programs will not be issued next month amid the ongoing federal government shutdown.
reut.rs
October 26, 2025 at 2:50 AM
Reposted by Korakine
statesnewsroom.com
Mohsen, who asked that his full name not be used for fear of retaliation, is among an estimated 7,000 refugees, asylees and other Nebraska newcomers without permanent residency status who are poised to lose their SNAP benefits.

via @nebraskaexaminer.com
Afghan refugee, father of 10 in Nebraska, faces hunger under ‘big beautiful’ law
OMAHA — He said he worked 20 years for U.S. troops in his homeland of Afghanistan, in roles ranging from soldier to cook and interpreter, before his at-risk family was flown out of the country in…
www.newsfromthestates.com
October 20, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Reposted by Korakine
drugmonkey.bsky.social
Dismantling the Institutional Review Board (IRB), that oversees all human subjects research, is bad. Really bad.
melodyschreiber.com Melody Schreiber @melodyschreiber.com · Oct 14
The entire HR department at the CDC is gone. Everyone at the IRB, which makes sure studies are conducted ethically and rigorously, and the ethics office, which oversee conflicts of interest for CDC leaders and advisory committee members, were also let go.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
‘Instability and confusion’ as CDC slashes 1,300 jobs before reinstating half
Trump administration says 700 notices were sent in error, while top CDC officer says ‘they didn’t think through what they were doing’
www.theguardian.com
October 19, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Reposted by Korakine
fightlies.bsky.social
The President does not have "Rights" under the Constitution. He has "duties". And to implement those duties, he has certain powers, but they are not "rights" to be exercised for his personal and political gain.

This whole attitude of presidential "rights" needs to be fought against hard.
October 19, 2025 at 1:44 PM
korakine.bsky.social
This has hit in PA as well. Even though it's not November yet, DHS is unable to approve any new SNAP applications due to the shutdown.
SNAP benefits for 2 million recipients in Pa. on hold during government shutdown
Nearly 2 million Pennsylvanians who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will not receive their November payments due to Congress’ failure to enact a federal budget.
lancasteronline.com
October 17, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Reposted by Korakine
scopicengineer.com
It looks like most states will withhold November SNAP if the government shutdown continues. If that happens that means food banks are going to be overwhelmed at a time they usually see their highest demands of the year. If you have the means consider donating to your local food bank.
Find Your Local Food Bank | Feeding America
Find the Feeding America member food bank nearest you. Over 200 member food banks can connect you with free food, food pantries, soup kitchens, and mobile pantries in your community.
www.feedingamerica.org
October 15, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Reposted by Korakine
mprnews.org
If the government shutdown continues into November, federal officials have told states that funding for SNAP benefits will run out. That means more than 440,000 Minnesotans might not receive federal food aid and will struggle even more to feed their families.
Thousands of Minnesotans in limbo as government shutdown threatens food and family aid
If the government shutdown continues into November, federal officials have told states that funding for SNAP benefits will run out. That means more than 440,000 Minnesotans might not receive federal f...
www.mprnews.org
October 16, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Reposted by Korakine
walterolson.bsky.social
My new @thedispatchmedia.bsky.social piece tells how DHS continues to deny that citizens have a right to videorecord its agents and raids even in the face of overwhelming court precedent that the First Amendment protects their right to do so. Nor is it just a matter of positions taken in court. /5
DHS Says Videotaping ICE Agents Is Illegal. Federal Courts Disagree.
Filming law enforcement serves important goals central to a free republic.
thedispatch.com
October 8, 2025 at 3:42 PM
korakine.bsky.social
In PA, we're operating with no state budget, and now under a federal government shutdown. The state cannot float the funding for LIHEAP grants until the feds come through.
October 3, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Reposted by Korakine
sevier.io
LIHEAP is a program that only opens each fall in many states, many on Oct 1. It opens for as long as there is funding to provide. Once it runs out, the program is done for the year in most cases. This year, because of the government shutdown, there will be no funds to open the program.
October 2, 2025 at 10:57 PM