Kentucky reports its TANF program serves more than 28,200 residents.

TANF provides about $16 billion annually in block grants to states, D.C., and tribal governments to support low-income families with cash assistance, job training, and related services.

The program is funded by federal block grants under the 1996 law, with states administering TANF and exercising broad discretion over eligible services.

The lawsuit is led by the attorneys general of California, New York, and Washington, D.C., with many states and two governors joining as plaintiffs.

A coalition of more than 20 states and the District of Columbia filed a federal lawsuit in Washington to block a Trump administration rule that would expand sharing of TANF recipients’ personal data with other government agencies and potentially private entities.

New York Attorney General Letitia James criticized the administration for using antipoverty programs to scrutinize or expose recipients, arguing it harms those the programs are meant to help.

The suit argues the rule would disclose recipients’ immigration status, Social Security numbers, and other sensitive information, potentially undermining privacy and the goals of antipoverty programs.

Since 1996, TANF has distributed about $16.6 billion per year to states, D.C., territories, and Native tribes for housing, food, utilities, clothing, and medical care.

The White House did not comment on the lawsuit before publication.

States argue the policy exceeds the agency’s legal authority, violates federal privacy laws and the Administrative Procedure Act, and intrudes on states’ responsibilities for determining TANF eligibility.

The legal action follows previous disputes over TANF funding and alleged fraud, including past court actions limiting withholding TANF subsidies from some states amid fraud concerns.

The case reflects ongoing tensions between states and the federal government over TANF, privacy, and program integrity under the current administration.