Summary
This public records request seeks communications and records held by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts concerning federal demands from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for large-scale Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participant data. The request covers communications with USDA Food and Nutrition Service officials, interactions with EBT payment processors regarding data requests, potential federal funding penalties, multi-state coordination regarding the federal data demands, and internal Massachusetts audits related to SNAP fraud indicators.
The request was submitted by True Signal Media on November 18, 2025 as part of an investigation into federal-state disputes over SNAP data access, privacy protections, and allegations of widespread fraud within the program.
Despite the statutory obligations of the Massachusetts Public Records Law, the records officer handling the request, Briana, did not provide a tracking number for the request and repeatedly issued two-week extensions without providing substantive explanations or a timeline for the release of records. After multiple unexplained extensions and continued delays, an administrative appeal was filed.
The appeal was decided in favor of the requester. Following that decision, the agency produced records; however, the materials provided did not appear to be responsive to the records requested, and further appeal proceedings may be required.
The request was submitted by True Signal Media on November 18, 2025 as part of an investigation into federal-state disputes over SNAP data access, privacy protections, and allegations of widespread fraud within the program.
Despite the statutory obligations of the Massachusetts Public Records Law, the records officer handling the request, Briana, did not provide a tracking number for the request and repeatedly issued two-week extensions without providing substantive explanations or a timeline for the release of records. After multiple unexplained extensions and continued delays, an administrative appeal was filed.
The appeal was decided in favor of the requester. Following that decision, the agency produced records; however, the materials provided did not appear to be responsive to the records requested, and further appeal proceedings may be required.
Procedural History & Updates
- November 18, 2025 – Public records request submitted to the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance seeking records related to USDA SNAP data demands and related communications.
- December 3, 2025 – DTA issued a notice extending the response timeline and stating the agency expected to issue a response by December 19, 2025.
- December 15, 2025 – DTA issued a further extension stating it expected to issue a response by December 31, 2025.
- December 30, 2025 – DTA issued another extension stating it expected to issue a response by January 9, 2026.
- January 9, 2026 – DTA issued an additional extension stating it expected to issue a response by January 26, 2026.
- January 23, 2026 – DTA issued another extension stating it expected to issue a response by February 9, 2026.
- February 6, 2026 – DTA issued a further extension stating it expected to issue a response by February 23, 2026.
- February 10, 2026 – Administrative appeal filed with the Massachusetts Supervisor of Public Records regarding repeated extensions issued by the Department of Transitional Assistance without production of records or explanation for the delay.
- February 23, 2026 – Following multiple extension notices from the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance, the requester responded noting that the requested records were recent, identifiable communications and should be reasonably searchable within standard electronic systems.
- March 6, 2026 – The Massachusetts Supervisor of Public Records issued determination SPR26/0590, finding that the Department of Transitional Assistance failed to comply with the Public Records Law after repeatedly extending the request without producing records or citing exemptions. The Department was ordered to provide a response consistent with the law within ten business days.
- March 10, 2026 – The Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance produced responsive records following the Supervisor of Public Records determination ordering a response.