New York counties could face an estimated $170 million a year in new administrative costs under changes to the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, according to state officials who briefed county leaders Tuesday.
The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance told counties the additional costs would begin in the fourth quarter of 2026, following changes in federal and state law that reduce the federal government’s share of SNAP administrative expenses.
Under the new federal rules, the federal government’s share of SNAP administrative costs will drop from 50 percent to 25 percent, requiring counties to cover a significantly larger portion of the program’s operations. County officials warn increased costs would ultimately be passed on to local taxpayers.
The New York State Association of Counties said the shift comes as affordability remains a top concern for residents across the state.
Counties are responsible for administering SNAP locally, including determining eligibility and ensuring benefits are delivered to qualifying households. NYSAC officials said counties support maintaining program integrity but are concerned about additional financial exposure tied to the state’s benefit payment error rate.
If New York’s SNAP error rate exceeds federal thresholds of more than 10 percent, the state could face financial penalties of up to $1.2 billion beginning in federal fiscal year 2028. While those penalties would initially fall on the state, NYSAC said it remains unclear whether any portion of that cost could later be shifted to counties.
NYSAC President Phil Church urged federal lawmakers to delay implementation of the new rules and called on state leaders to work with counties to reduce error rates and protect local taxpayers.
The association said it is also concerned about the potential impact on residents who rely on SNAP benefits if counties are forced to absorb higher costs.
The New York State Association of Counties represents all 62 counties in the state, including New York City.
