County executives from across New York State are urging federal officials to preserve critical funding for social service programs that support the state’s most vulnerable families.
During their annual Winter Meeting in Albany, members of the New York State County Executives Association (NYSCEA) discussed the potential impacts of a recent federal funding freeze affecting key social service programs administered by county governments. The freeze threatens programs that provide temporary assistance, child care, and other essential services to families in need.
Last week, the U.S. Administration for Children and Families announced it would freeze and restrict the drawdown of federal funds for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Child Care Development Fund (CCDF), and Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) programs. The action affects all county Departments of Social Services programs except Medicaid and impacts nearly every family that receives county-administered assistance for child care, family support, and social services.
Despite the funding freeze, counties are legally required to continue operating these programs and processing applications, creating cash-flow challenges and operational strain for local governments and DSS offices.
“County executives are closely examining the fiscal and operational consequences of an extended funding freeze, and we anticipate it would have a direct impact on recipient families, county finances, and local taxpayers,” said NYSCEA President Ryan McMahon, Onondaga County Executive. “Counties cannot opt out of these programs, and prolonged uncertainty jeopardizes the families who rely on this assistance, our county governments, and our dedicated DSS employees.”
The NYSCEA and the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) are working with state lawmakers, the Governor, the Attorney General, and New York’s Congressional Delegation to end the freeze and ensure families and counties are not harmed. The organizations emphasized that any concerns related to waste, fraud, or abuse should be addressed through established statutory processes.
“This situation places extraordinary pressure on counties and on the hardworking Department of Social Services employees who administer these programs every day,” said NYSAC President Phil Church, Oswego County Administrator. “Our DSS professionals should not be put in the position of managing uncertainty created by this federal action.”
Following the meeting, the NYSCEA reiterated its call for the immediate release of the frozen funds and urged federal officials to work collaboratively with states and counties to address program integrity concerns without disrupting essential services.
NYSAC Executive Director Stephen J. Acquario warned that prolonged delays could destabilize county budgets. “Because counties pay for services up front and seek federal reimbursement later, this freeze creates immediate cash-flow problems,” he said. “If it continues, counties could face significant new costs and be forced to reduce other essential services.”
On January 8, New York State, joined by four other states, filed litigation against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Administration for Children and Families seeking to halt the funding freeze. NYSAC has expressed support for the lawsuit and said it will continue to keep counties informed as the case progresses.
County leaders noted heightened concern because, since the Great Recession, the state has shifted a greater share of financial responsibility for TANF, child care, and social services programs to counties. While these programs are funded with federal dollars, state and county resources are often used to supplement them due to insufficient federal funding levels. An extended freeze could result in significant new costs for counties and force difficult budget decisions.
Both the NYSCEA and NYSAC continue to call on the federal government to immediately release the frozen funds and engage constructively with state and local leaders to ensure uninterrupted services for eligible families across New York State.
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