U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer is seeking a two-year delay in federal changes that would shift millions of dollars in annual Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program costs to New York counties.
Schumer said July 20 that he would not support a five-year federal farm bill unless it gives states and counties more time to prepare for the change, which his office estimates would add about $4 million a year to county costs in the Capital Region.
New York counties administer SNAP, the nation's largest anti-hunger program. Schumer said federal legislation enacted last year reduced funding for the program and increased the share of administrative costs that states and counties must cover.
The New York State Association of Counties said the change would reduce federal administrative support by $168 million statewide. The association said counties operating under tight budgets could face decisions involving local taxes or reductions in other services.
More than 103,500 Capital Region residents receive about $250.8 million in annual SNAP benefits, according to county-level figures included in Schumer's release. The projected annual cost increase for the region's counties totals $4,402,895.
The estimates include $783,388 for Albany County, $694,988 for Columbia County, $588,380 for Rensselaer County and $735,649 for Saratoga County. Greene, Schenectady, Schoharie, Warren and Washington counties would also face added costs.
Schumer said a two-year delay would give New York the same implementation timeline as states including Alaska. He called for the delay to be included as Congress negotiates the next farm bill.
The senator said House and Senate farm-bill proposals released this year did not address the cost shift. He urged Republicans to work with Democrats to revise the legislation.
The Regional Food Bank reported demand for its services was 14% higher than at the same point last year and said charitable organizations could not absorb continued growth in need. The organization joined the county association in calling for the delay.
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