Feds can't withhold social service funds from 5 Democratic states amid fraud claims, judge rules

A federal judge in New York says the Trump administration must keep the money flowing for now for programs aimed at helping low-income families with children in five states. Friday's ruling grants the states' request for a preliminary injunction and a stay against the administration barring it from withholding the money until a lawsuit works its way through the courts. The affected states include California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota and New York. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said on Jan. 6 that it was withholding money because it had “reason to believe” there was fraud in those states. A spokesperson for government lawyers declined to comment.