Case: United States v. Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services

3:26-cv-00051 | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky

Filed Date: June 26, 2026

Case Ongoing

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Case Summary

This case seeks to compel the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services (KHFS) to produce eligibility and benefit transaction records for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients within their state. On June 26, 2026, the United States sued HKFS in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (FNA). The United States argued that the FNA authorizes the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to require states to provide all records necessary to ascertain their compliance with the FNA. Pursuant to Executive Order 14,243, aimed at “eliminat[ing] information silos,” the USDA requested the aforementioned records from KHFS, which declined to produce them, leading to this lawsuit. The United States sought a declaratory judgment and an injunction requiring KHFS to produce the requested records. The case was assigned to District Judge Claria H. Boom.

On July 10, 2026, the United States moved for a preliminary injunction seeking to compel KHFS to produce the requested records. On July 16, 2026, KHFS moved to stay all proceedings in this case pending a motion to enjoin the USDA from pursuing similar cases in a related case, State of California v. U.S. Department of Agriculture. On July 17, 2026, the Court granted a temporary stay for briefing on the plaintiff’s motion for a preliminary injunction pending the court’s ruling on the motion for the stay. The court therefore expedited briefing on KHFS’s motion to stay, ordering the U.S. to file a response within fourteen days, which it filed on July 21, 2026. As of August 5, 2026, the Court has not ruled on the motion for a preliminary injunction or lifted the stay.

The case is ongoing.

Summary Authors

Sam Black (8/5/2026)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73545586/parties/united-states-v-kentucky-cabinet-for-health-and-family-services/

Judge(s)

Boom, Claria Horn (Kentucky)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Cooper, Cadesby Brawner (Kentucky)

DOJ, Colin W. (Kentucky)

DOJ, Daniel J. (Kentucky)

DOJ, Kyu Yun (Kentucky)

Attorney for Defendant

Judge(s)

Boom, Claria Horn (Kentucky)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Cooper, Cadesby Brawner (Kentucky)

DOJ, Colin W. (Kentucky)

DOJ, Daniel J. (Kentucky)

DOJ, Kyu Yun (Kentucky)

Attorney for Defendant

Duke, J. Wesley (Kentucky)

Vogt, Blake Austin (Kentucky)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

1 3:26-cv-00051	Complaint United States et al. v. Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services	June 26, 2026	June 26, 2026 Complaint

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Resources

Resources related to this case
Title	Description		External URL Date / External URL
EO 14243 - Stopping Waste, Fraud, and Abuse by Eliminating Information Silos President Donald Trump	Directing all agency heads to ensure that federal officials have "full and prompt access to all unclassified agency records, data, software systems, and information technology systems...for the purpo…	March 20, 2025	March 20, 2025 https://www.federalregister.gov/...

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Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73545586/united-states-v-kentucky-cabinet-for-health-and-family-services/

Last updated Sept. 15, 2026, 3:14 a.m.

Docket for: United States v. Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services

ECF Number	Date	Description	Link
1	June 26, 2026	COMPLAINT (NO PROCESS REQUESTED)., filed by USA. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Table of Contents, # 3 Exhibit A - Declaration of Shiela Corley, # 4 Exhibit 1 - Letter 5/6/25, # 5 Exhibit 2 - Letter 7/9/25, # 6 Exhibit 3 - Letter 7/23/25, # 7 Exhibit 4 - Letter 8/12/25, # 8 Exhibit 5 - Letter 8/12/25, # 9 Exhibit 6 - Letter 8/20/25, # 10 Exhibit 7 - Letter 11/24/25, # 11 Exhibit 8 - Letter 12/8/25, # 12 Exhibit 9 - Letter 12/23/25, # 13 Exhibit 10 - Letter 2/17/26, # 14 Exhibit 11 - Letter 2/25/26, # 15 Exhibit 12 - Letter 3/10/26, # 16 Exhibit 13 - Letter 3/10/26-3/11/26, # 17 Exhibit 14 - Letter 3/25/26, # 18 Exhibit 15 - Letter 3/27/26, # 19 Exhibit 16 - Letter 3/30/26, # 20 Exhibit 17 - Letter 5/15/26, # 21 Exhibit 18 - Letter 5/22/26)(JJ) (Additional attachment(s) added on 7/2/2026: # 22 Complaint-Corrected, # 23 Table of Contents-Corrected, # 24 Declaration of Shiela Corley (Corrected)) (MJY). (Entered: 06/29/2026) 1 Civil Cover Sheet View on PACER 2 Table of Contents View on PACER 3 Exhibit A - Declaration of Shiela Corley View on PACER 4 Exhibit 1 - Letter 5/6/25 View on PACER 5 Exhibit 2 - Letter 7/9/25 View on PACER 6 Exhibit 3 - Letter 7/23/25 View on PACER 7 Exhibit 4 - Letter 8/12/25 View on PACER 8 Exhibit 5 - Letter 8/12/25 View on PACER 9 Exhibit 6 - Letter 8/20/25 View on PACER 10 Exhibit 7 - Letter 11/24/25 View on PACER 11 Exhibit 8 - Letter 12/8/25 View on PACER 12 Exhibit 9 - Letter 12/23/25 View on PACER 13 Exhibit 10 - Letter 2/17/26 View on PACER 14 Exhibit 11 - Letter 2/25/26 View on PACER 15 Exhibit 12 - Letter 3/10/26 View on PACER 16 Exhibit 13 - Letter 3/10/26-3/11/26 View on PACER 17 Exhibit 14 - Letter 3/25/26 View on PACER 18 Exhibit 15 - Letter 3/27/26 View on PACER 19 Exhibit 16 - Letter 3/30/26 View on PACER 20 Exhibit 17 - Letter 5/15/26 View on PACER 21 Exhibit 18 - Letter 5/22/26 View on PACER 22 Complaint-Corrected View on PACER 23 Table of Contents-Corrected View on PACER 24 Declaration of Shiela Corley (Corrected) View on PACER	Clearinghouse
2	June 29, 2026	MOTION to Amend/Correct (Substitute) 1 Complaint by USA (Attachments: # 1 Attachment Attachment 1 (Corrected Complaint), # 2 Attachment Attachment 2 (Corrected Exhibits Table of Contents), # 3 Attachment Attachment 3 (Corrected Exhibit A, Declaration of Shiela Corley, # 4 Proposed Order Proposed Order)(Cooper, Cadesby) Modified on 6/30/2026 (CBD). (Entered: 06/29/2026) 1 Attachment Attachment 1 (Corrected Complaint) View on RECAP 2 Attachment Attachment 2 (Corrected Exhibits Table of Contents) View on PACER 3 Attachment Attachment 3 (Corrected Exhibit A, Declaration of Shiela Corley View on PACER 4 Proposed Order Proposed Order View on PACER	RECAP
	June 29, 2026	Clerk's Note re 1 Complaint: The Clerk notes a Complaint [R. 1 ] was filed; however, a summons was not provided to the Clerk for issuance. If you desire summons to be issued, the forms are available on the Court's website, www.kyed.uscourts.gov. A summons may be issued by presenting the prepared summons to the Clerk for issuance on paper or by electronically filing a Notice of Filing with the prepared summons as an attachment within 7 calendar days. (JJ)
	June 29, 2026	Conflict Check run. (JJ)
	June 30, 2026	***MOTION SUBMITTED TO CHAMBERS of Judge Boom for review: re 2 MOTION to Amend/Correct (Substitute Images) 1 Complaint by USA (CBD)
3	July 1, 2026	STANDING CASE MANAGEMENT AND REFERRAL ORDER General Order No. 21-11. Signed by Judge Claria Horn Boom.(CBD)cc: COR (Entered: 07/01/2026)	RECAP
	July 1, 2026	***MOTION SUBMITTED TO CHAMBERS of Judge Atkins for review: re 2 MOTION to Amend/Correct 1 Complaint by USA (CBD)
4	July 2, 2026	NOTICE OF FILING by USA (PROPOSED SUMMONS FOR DEFENDANT KENTUCKY CABINET FOR HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES) (Trundle, Colin) (Entered: 07/02/2026)	RECAP
5	July 2, 2026	NOTICE OF FILING by USA (PROPOSED SUMMONS FOR DEFENDANT STEVEN J. STACK) (Trundle, Colin) (Entered: 07/02/2026)	RECAP
6	July 2, 2026	ORDER: 1. Plafs motion to substitute the Complaint, R. 2, is GRANTED.2. Plafs motion to substitute the Exhibit Table of Contents, R. 2, is GRANTED. Plaf's motion to substitute the Declaration of Shiela Corley marked as Exhibit A R.[ 2], is GRANTED. 4. The Clerk is DIRECTED to: (1) replace [R. 1] with the corrected Complaint in Attachment 1; (2) replace [R. 1-2] with the corrected Exhibit Table of Contents in Attachment 2; and (3) replace [R. 1-3] with the corrected declaration of Shiela Corley marked as Exhibit A in Attachment 3. Signed by Magistrate Judge Edward B. Atkins on 7/2/26. (MJY)cc: COR (Entered: 07/02/2026)	RECAP
7	July 2, 2026	Summons Issued as to Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Steven J. Stack, U.S. Attorney, the U.S, Attorney General and returned to counsel electronically for service. (JJ) (Entered: 07/07/2026)	RECAP
8	July 10, 2026	MOTION for Preliminary Injunction by USA Motions referred to Edward B. Atkins. (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum in Support, # 2 Proposed Order)(Trundle, Colin) (Entered: 07/10/2026) 1 Memorandum in Support View on PACER 2 Proposed Order View on PACER	RECAP
9	July 10, 2026	AFFIDAVIT of Service for Summons served on Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services on July 8, 2026, filed by USA. (Trundle, Colin) (Entered: 07/10/2026)	RECAP
10	July 10, 2026	AFFIDAVIT of Service for Summons served on Steven J. Stack on July 8, 2026, filed by USA. (Trundle, Colin) (Entered: 07/10/2026)	RECAP
11	July 10, 2026	CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by USA re 8 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction by USA (Trundle, Colin) (Entered: 07/10/2026)	RECAP
	July 13, 2026	***FILE SUBMITTED TO CHAMBERS of Claria Horn Boom for review: 8 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction by USA (MJY)
12	July 14, 2026	AFFIDAVIT of Service for Complaint and Motion for Preliminary Injunction served on Kentucky Attorney General's Office via ServetheCommonwealth@ky.gov on 7/14/2026, filed by USA. (Trundle, Colin) (Entered: 07/14/2026)	RECAP
13	July 15, 2026	STANDING CASE MANAGEMENT AND REFERRAL ORDER: 1. At the outset, the Court reminds the parties that, under Rule 1, they share with the Court the duty to construe, administer, and employ the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure to secure the just, speedy, and inexpensive determination of this action; 2. Pursuant to 28:636(b)(1) and Fed. R. Civ. P. 72, the Court refers this case to the appropriate United States Magistrate Judge for this Division; 3. Unless otherwise ordered, the Court retains for decision any motion dispositive of a claim or defense (as well as motions regulating the trial proof, including Daubert and motions in limine); 4. Concurrent with the filing of any Rule 12 motion, the moving party may file, as a separate motion, any request for a discovery stay pending resolution. The Court refers consideration of any such motion to the assigned Magistrate Judge; 5. Discovery Disputes shall be resolved as defined within this order; The Court DIRECTS the Clerk to enter this Standing Order in the undersigned's civil cases excepting Social Security, pro se, and prisoner post-conviction matters at case opening (or as the Court otherwise directs). Signed by Judge Claria Horn Boom. (JJ)cc: COR (Entered: 07/15/2026)	RECAP
14	July 16, 2026	MOTION to Stay by Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Steven J. Stack Motions referred to Edward B. Atkins. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Motion to Enjoin, # 2 Proposed Order Proposed Order)(Vogt, Blake) (Entered: 07/16/2026) 1 Exhibit Motion to Enjoin View on PACER 2 Proposed Order Proposed Order View on PACER	RECAP
15	July 16, 2026	NOTICE OF APPEARANCE by Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services. (Duke, J.) (Entered: 07/16/2026)	RECAP
16	July 17, 2026	ORDER : 1. Plaintiff SHALL file a response within fourteen (14) days of the entry of this Order to Defendants' Motion to Stay, [R. 14 ]. Defendants SHALL file any reply within seven (7) days of Plaintiff's response. 2. The pending Motion for Preliminary Injunction, [R. 8 ], is STAYED pending further order of this Court. Signed by Judge Claria Horn Boom on 7/17/2026.(JJ)cc: COR (Entered: 07/17/2026)	RECAP
17	July 21, 2026	RESPONSE in Opposition re 14 MOTION to Stay by Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Steven J. Stack filed by USA. (Trundle, Colin) (Entered: 07/21/2026)	RECAP
18	July 28, 2026	NOTICE by USA re 14 MOTION to Stay by Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Steven J. Stack, 17 Response in Opposition to Motion OF NEW ADDITIONAL PERSUASIVE AUTHORITY RELATING TO DEFENDANTS MOTION TO STAY (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A)(Trundle, Colin) (Entered: 07/28/2026)	RECAP
19	July 28, 2026	REPLY to Response to Motion re 14 MOTION to Stay by Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Steven J. Stack filed by Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Steven J. Stack. (Vogt, Blake) (Entered: 07/28/2026)	RECAP
20	July 29, 2026	NOTICE OF APPEARANCE by Commonwealth of Kentucky. (Heyburn, John) (Entered: 07/29/2026)	RECAP
21	July 29, 2026	MOTION for Leave to File Brief as Amicus Curiae in Support of Plaintiff's Opposition to Defendant's Motion for Stay by Commonwealth of Kentucky Motions referred to Edward B. Atkins. (Attachments: # 1 Attachment Proposed Amicus Brief, # 2 Proposed Order Proposed Order)(Heyburn, John) Modified text on 7/30/2026 (JJ). (Entered: 07/29/2026) 1 View on RECAP	RECAP
22	July 29, 2026	NOTICE OF APPEARANCE by Commonwealth of Kentucky. (Kuhn, Matthew) (Entered: 07/29/2026)	RECAP
	July 29, 2026	***MOTION SUBMITTED TO CHAMBERS of Judge Claria Horn Boom for review: re 14 MOTION to Stay by Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Steven J. Stack (JJ)
23	Aug. 6, 2026	RESPONSE in Opposition re 21 MOTION for Leave to File Brief as Amicus Curiae in Support of Plaintiff's Opposition to Defendant's Motion for Stay by Commonwealth of Kentucky filed by Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Steven J. Stack. (Vogt, Blake) (Entered: 08/06/2026)	RECAP
24	Aug. 7, 2026	NOTICE by USA re 17 Response in Opposition to Motion OF NEW ADDITIONAL PERSUASIVE AUTHORITY RELATING TO DEFENDANTS MOTION TO STAY (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A)(Trundle, Colin) (Entered: 08/07/2026) 1 Exhibit A View on RECAP	RECAP
25	Aug. 24, 2026	MOTION to Stay by Commonwealth of Kentucky Motions referred to Edward B. Atkins. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Order, # 2 Proposed Order Proposed Order)(Duke, J.) (Entered: 08/24/2026)	RECAP

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Case Details

State / Territory:

Kentucky

Case Type(s):

Public Benefits/Government Services

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Litigation and Investigations By the Government

Key Dates

Filing Date: June 26, 2026

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

The plaintiff is the United States of America.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Non-DOJ federal government plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

State

Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services

Defendant Type(s):

Hospital/Health Department

Case Details

Other Dockets:

Eastern District of Kentucky 3:26-cv-00051

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Relief Sought:

Declaratory judgment

Injunction

Relief Granted:

None yet

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

Benefits (Source):

Food stamps/SNAP

Recommended Citation

Case Summary of United States v. Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/48332/ (last updated 8/5/2026).