...
By Aliss Higham
Reporter
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Lawmakers in Ohio, Idaho and Kentucky are moving to tighten or rework SNAP administration as states respond to new federal cost-sharing rules and payment-error penalties.
Ohio moved to patch an expected shortfall in administrative funding tied to federal changes, while Idaho and Kentucky pursued bills focused on verification and lowering payment error rates that could trigger new state costs.
Why It Matters
Following passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBA) in July 2025, states will face reduced federal support for SNAP administration from October 2026 and, later, possible liability for part of benefit costs if payment error rates are too high.
Read More on News
As it stands, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) pays for all SNAP benefits, while states share the administrative costs of running the program 50-50 with the federal government. But as under the 2025 law, that funding structure is set to change, states are working to reduce error rates and tighten eligibility in some cases to avoid being on the hook for benefit payments.
Ohio
Ohio and county governments are expected to assume about $50 million in additional administrative costs starting in October as the federal share phases down.
The Ohio House Finance Committee advanced House Bill 730 to fund the state’s new administrative costs and provide $12.5 million toward counties’ estimated $38.2 million in added costs.
Ohio could also face future costs tied to its 9 percent payment error rate, which is above the six percent threshold that triggers a state share of benefit costs under the new law.
...
Idaho
Idaho’s House Bill 730 would require tracking lottery winnings by SNAP households and more data-matching across systems, and it passed the House 59-8 on party lines before moving to the Senate.
The bill’s fiscal note calls for $1.7 million, including more than $1.2 million from the state general fund and 10 new full-time employees at the Department of Health and Welfare.
The measure would also require reporting to the USDA of cases where eligible citizenship or ineligible status could not be verified for a household member.
The Senate Health and Welfare Committee voted to send the bill to the full Senate with two votes in opposition from Senator Melissa Wintrow, a Democrat, and Senator Camille Blaylock, a Republican.
Kentucky
Kentucky’s Senate Bill 257 would require certain agencies to conduct monthly or quarterly reviews of information that could affect SNAP eligibility and benefits.
Households with zero net income or with an able-bodied adult without dependents would need to recertify at least every four months, while households with an elderly or disabled member would be exempt from this standard.
Lawmakers did not vote and requested more information before deciding on the measure.
What People Are Saying
Ohio House Minority Leader Representative Dani Isaacsohn, a Democrat, said: “The federal government has put a huge cut out to make people hungrier in Ohio. The state is trying to fill a part of that gap, and instead of doing it with the formula we always use where it goes based on need and caseload, the majority, for whatever reason, has decided it’s March so we want to play politics with this issue.”
Ohio House Finance Chair Representative Brian Stewart, a Republican from Ashville, said the state may need to take over administration from counties: “Through this process, we’ve seen a lot of counties don’t think they should have any share of the cost of maintaining this, and I think that’s just unsustainable."
Kendra Knighten, policy director at the Idaho Center for Fiscal Policy, said: “This will likely result in error rates going up, and Idaho taxpayers needing to pay additional money towards that that is not necessary."
Idaho Freedom Foundation senior policy adviser Fred Birnbaum said: “You can’t really look at just a spot in time and say, ‘Well, our error rate is very low now and therefore it will always be.'"
Kentucky Senator Shelley Funke Frommeyer, a Republican, said: “You'll see that Kentucky's rate, as of June 30, 2025, indicated 9.11 percent, so we've got to get that error rate below 6 percent."
Reverend Rich Gianzero, executive director of the Kentucky Council of Churches, said: "Is this all about money? We're going to take that $100 million and invest it into funding a bureaucracy that further restricts people who are in need."
What Happens Next
The Ohio House will move House Bill 730 through the legislative process as counties assess how far the $12.5 million allocation will close expected administrative gaps.
The Idaho Senate will take up House Bill 730, and if passed, the measure will proceed to Governor Brad Little for consideration, with new staffing and verification systems to be implemented if enacted.
Kentucky lawmakers will revisit Senate Bill 257 after gathering requested information, with potential changes to verification schedules, recertification timelines and categorical eligibility under discussion.
In a polarized era, the center is dismissed as bland. At Newsweek, ours is different: The Courageous Center—it's not "both sides," it's sharp, challenging and alive with ideas. We follow facts, not factions. If that sounds like the kind of journalism you want to see thrive, we need you.
When you become a Newsweek Member, you support a mission to keep the center strong and vibrant. Members enjoy: Ad-free browsing, exclusive content and editor conversations. Help keep the center courageous. Join today.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines