Public Benefits

On July 21, 2025, a coalition of 21 attorneys general filed a lawsuit in Rhode Island challenging the Administration's unlawful attempt to restrict access to critical health, education, and social service programs. We argue that the federal government acted unlawfully by issuing these changes without following required procedures under the Administrative Procedure Act, and by misapplying Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) to entire programs rather than to individual benefits. The changes also violate the Constitution’s Spending Clause by imposing new funding conditions on states without fair notice or consent.

New York, et al v. Department of Justice