North Country counties face millions in added SNAP costs under federal changes

Leaders from St. Lawrence, Jefferson and Lewis counties warned Sept. 11 that changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will add millions of dollars in costs to local budgets. The discussion took place at the Gouverneur Community Center as the counties prepared for a federal reduction in SNAP administrative funding.

Under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed July 4, 2025, the federal share of SNAP administrative costs will drop from 50% to 25% beginning Oct. 1, 2026. New York counties pay the entire non-federal share, meaning local governments will be responsible for the remaining 75% of those costs.

The New York State Association of Counties estimates the annual increase at $775,738 for St. Lawrence County, $1.05 million for Jefferson County and $307,450 for Lewis County. Together, the three counties face about $2.1 million in new annual administrative costs.

NYSAC estimates the change will add about $168.2 million in annual county costs statewide, including roughly $57.4 million outside New York City. New York is one of only three states, along with New Jersey and North Carolina, where counties pay the full non-federal share of SNAP administrative expenses.

St. Lawrence County serves 12,611 people through SNAP and distributes about $29.7 million in annual benefits, according to NYSAC. Jefferson County serves 13,184 people, while Lewis County serves 2,584.

Additional changes could increase costs

A second federal change is scheduled for Oct. 1, 2027. States with SNAP payment error rates above 6% will be required to pay part of benefit costs, with the potential share rising to as much as 15% when the rate exceeds 10%. New York's reported error rates have been above 10%, and the state has not decided whether any resulting cost would be passed to counties.

NYSAC estimates the potential statewide exposure from that change at about $1 billion to $1.2 billion annually. The association is seeking a two-year delay of the administrative cost shift. Reversing the change would require new federal legislation.

St. Lawrence County Department of Social Services Commissioner Joseph Seeber said the county had not budgeted for the roughly $775,000 expense and would need to address it during the fourth quarter. He also said the cost could reach about $1 million the following year, with possible effects on property taxes and SNAP eligibility.

Jefferson County budgeted $300,000 for its fourth-quarter share this year. Its total shift is expected to reach about $2.5 million by the end of 2027 and nearly $6 million by 2028. Lewis County has said the 57 counties outside New York City could face nearly $460 million in new annual SNAP costs when both federal changes are included.

What happens next

The first administrative funding change begins Oct. 1, 2026. The potential benefit-cost penalty begins Oct. 1, 2027, and counties' responsibility for that cost remains unresolved.

The counties' 2027 budget discussions will determine how the added expenses are handled locally. Lewis County has posted a 2027 budget workshop notice. Residents can contact Lewis County at 315-377-2000 or learn more through the New York State Association of Counties SNAP information page.