States shift more administrative and financial responsibility to counties in NC, which already operate strained social services across 100 counties.

North Carolina faces an immediate deadline as SNAP administrative costs rise from 50% to 75% on October 1, projecting about $67 million in county costs and $16 million in state costs upfront.

North Carolina lawmakers warn that counties face hundreds of millions in new costs or loss of SNAP funding if they fail to meet the federal requirements added by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

The federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act is expected to impose a heavy administrative and financial burden on North Carolina as the state implements major Medicaid and SNAP changes.

Small counties may struggle to hire and retain staff, risking delays in benefit distribution and overall program administration.

In Brunswick County, projected costs for the upcoming year approach $429,000 and rise to about $629,000 the following year due to expanded work requirements.

The federal law expands work requirements and tightens exemptions for SNAP, increasing the age for able-bodied adults without dependents from 54 to 64 and narrowing exemptions for several groups.

Many counties are already stretched thin, and the added administrative load could force budget cuts elsewhere, described by the NC Association of County Commissioners as one of the most significant unfunded mandates in generations.

Some lawmakers believe the long-term effects could reduce county workloads, while others emphasize ongoing financial strain and operational challenges for counties.

County staffing constraints will limit the ability to add resources needed to reduce errors and meet deadlines, complicating compliance efforts.

Even supporters acknowledge implementation challenges, with potential delays and a need for funding and legislative action that has not yet materialized.

States and counties must hire and train more staff, upgrade technology, and build new data systems to handle stricter Medicaid work requirements and more frequent SNAP eligibility checks, with funding due by the end of March to prep for next year.