Tri-county leaders to discuss projected SNAP cost increases

Leaders from Lewis, Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties are scheduled to hold a press conference at 1 p.m. Sept. 11 to discuss changes to federal funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and the potential effect on local governments.

Beginning Oct. 1, 2026, the federal share of SNAP administrative costs is expected to fall from 50% to 25%. Under New York’s current funding structure, counties would be responsible for 75% of those costs. The change is projected to create nearly $460 million in new annual SNAP costs for the 57 counties outside New York City. Lewis County’s additional cost is estimated at about $300,000.

The counties are also considering the possible effect of costs tied to SNAP payment error rates. A payment error occurs when benefits are higher or lower than the amount for which a household is eligible; it is not the same as fraud.