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County officials warn HR1 cost shifts could force local cuts, tax increases
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Summary
Franklin County, Ohio, and the National Association of Counties told a House subcommittee that the reconciliation law's reduced federal administrative match and penalty structure could add roughly $7.5 million annually to Franklin County's budget and force cuts to local services.
Franklin County deputy administrator Joy Bivens told a House Agriculture subcommittee that the recent federal law reducing federal administrative matching for SNAP from 50% to 25% could increase her county's annual costs by about $7.5 million.
"That shift would require approximately $7,500,000 in additional local spending annually to maintain current service levels," Bivens said, testifying on behalf of the National Association of Counties. She said counties in nine of the 10 county-administered states already pay some or all of the nonfederal administrative match and that the new law—s change will strain county budgets and workforce capacity.
Why this matters: County-administered states rely on local staff embedded in communities to process applications, make referrals and connect residents to workforce and nonprofit partners. Witnesses said higher local costs will force choices between maintaining SNAP administration and funding other local programs such as workforce training, child care supports and food pantries.
Key details: Bivens said Franklin County serves more than 183,000 SNAP recipients and that caseworkers can take a year to become fully proficient. She warned that if counties must increase their cost share, discretionary funding that currently supports workforce training, nonprofit partners and child-care subsidies would likely be reduced.
Bivens also described operational consequences of recent policy changes: narrower definitions for utility allowances and expanded monitoring for able-bodied adults without dependents (ABOD) will increase documentation needs and administrative touchpoints. She urged relief in the form of continued federal assistance, clearer USDA guidance, and targeted support for hiring and training staff.
On EBT theft, Bivens said Franklin County saw hundreds of calls when electronic benefit transfers were skimmed and that earlier federal reimbursement support for stolen benefits has lapsed, leaving affected families without immediate relief.
Context: Several members and witnesses acknowledged the different arrangements states use to administer SNAP. Witnesses noted that six county-administered states share administrative costs with the state, one state pays the full cost, and in other states counties bear no administrative cost. Bivens urged Congress and federal agencies to account for such variation when designing compliance timelines and penalty structures.
Ending: Bivens and other county witnesses asked Congress and USDA to provide clear guidance, funding flexibility and technical assistance to give local agencies time and resources to implement large program changes without disrupting benefit access.
