New SNAP Report Details Costs, Risks, and Challenges for Counties

A major federal policy change is about to become a major local government challenge.

NYSAC's new report, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): New Costs, New Requirements, New Risks for New York Counties, details how changes enacted in H.R. 1 will shift an estimated $168 million in annual SNAP administrative costs onto counties and New York City beginning in October 2026, while simultaneously increasing local workload, compliance responsibilities, and staffing demands.

Because New York is one of only three states where counties pay the full non-federal share of SNAP administrative costs, this federal cost shift lands directly on county budgets and local property taxpayers.

The report provides county-by-county cost estimates, examines the growing risk of additional state and local exposure tied to federal payment error rate penalties, and outlines NYSAC's call for a two-year delay to help counties prepare.

Read the report to understand what is at stake for your county, your taxpayers, and the residents who depend on SNAP.