Tri-county briefing set for Friday on SNAP funding shift

LOWVILLE, N.Y. (WWTI) – Leaders from Lewis, Jefferson, and St. Lawrence counties will hold a joint press conference on Friday, Sept. 11, at 1 p.m. at the Gouverneur Community Center to address a looming, multi-million-dollar funding shift in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). According to a Lewis County press release, beginning Oct. 1, 2026, the federal government will slash its share of SNAP administrative costs from 50% to 25%. Because New York county Departments of Social Services manage local application processing, eligibility, and case management, the state's current funding structure forces local governments to absorb the remaining 75% non-federal share. Across New York, 57 counties outside New York City face nearly $460 million in new annual expenses. In Lewis County alone, the policy change introduces approximately $300,000 in unexpected budget burdens. Local officials warn that additional fiscal pressures could soon follow from potential SNAP payment error rate penalties. The upcoming tri-county briefing aims to unite regional leaders to outline these financial consequences, voice shared anxieties, and press for solutions ahead of the fast-approaching Oct. implementation deadline.