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DSS warns SNAP rule change could cost Wyoming County about $740,000 a year
Summary
Commissioner B. Dennis told the Human Services Committee that a pending New York State SNAP regulation could shift roughly 15% of benefit costs to counties beginning Oct. 1, 2027, which he estimated would cost Wyoming County about $740,000 annually; county officials discussed asking Rep. Tenney for support.
Commissioner B. Dennis of the Department of Social Services told the Wyoming County Human Services Committee on July 28 that forthcoming New York State SNAP regulation changes could impose a county-level financial penalty tied to Payment Error Rate (PER).
Dennis said New York distributes about $7.6 billion in SNAP benefits statewide and that Wyoming County beneficiaries receive roughly $4.9 million per year. Under the change, counties could be required to cover about 15% of benefits as a penalty; for Wyoming County Dennis estimated that equals approximately $740,000 annually and about $187,000 for Oct.–Dec. 2027 if the change takes effect Oct. 1, 2027. County Administrator S. Schrader proposed writing to Congresswoman Tenney seeking support to address the potential liability.
The committee did not take a formal vote on policy in the meeting. The discussion was framed as a briefing about fiscal risk and next steps; Dennis and county administration signaled intent to pursue support from the county’s federal representative. The committee minutes record the figures Dennis provided and the recommendation to seek congressional assistance.
