New York counties face rising SNAP administrative costs

New York counties, including Dutchess and Putnam, are facing increased costs for processing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) applications due to changes from the federal One Big Beautiful Bill. Starting October 1, the administrative cost share for New York and other states will rise from 50 percent to 75 percent.

The New York State Association of Counties estimates this shift will move $100 million in expenses to New York City and $68 million to the rest of the state. Specifically, Dutchess County expects a $1.5 million increase, while Putnam County anticipates a $273,000 rise. While Dutchess has incorporated these costs into its 2026 budget, officials noted that difficult decisions may be required for 2027.

Additionally, a federal policy change scheduled for October 1, 2027, will penalize states for payment errors exceeding 6 percent. Based on New York’s 2025 error rate of 12.35 percent, the New York State Association of Counties calculates that federal funding for food assistance could be reduced by $1.1 billion.