Tennessee Faces Potential SNAP Cuts Impacting Taxpayers
Tennessee taxpayers might soon feel the pinch from proposed cuts to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs (SNAP), which could end up costing the state more than $100 million. As the federal government shifts some financial responsibilities to the states, Tennessee could see each taxpayer facing around $110 in additional costs annually.
This substantial financial implication comes to light in recent reports. State leaders are gearing up for next fall’s budget planning, especially after experiencing two consecutive years of corporate tax credits that have tightened revenues, as reported by the Tennessee Children and Youth Commission.
Meanwhile, hunger rates in Tennessee are alarmingly high, with over 700,000 residents—about one in ten—relying on SNAP to get enough food. It’s troubling to think that over 1.1 million people in the state face food insecurity; a significant portion of them are children.
“These cuts to SNAP are the most severe we’ve ever encountered,” noted Sign Anderson, senior director of nutrition advocacy at the Tennessee Judicial Center. “It hampers Tennessee families in reaching their aspirations, which ultimately affects our communities and the economy.”
Currently, SNAP assists those below the poverty line by providing monthly support through debit cards for grocery purchases. On average, a SNAP-eligible family in Tennessee receives around $340 each month.
According to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for 2023, the federal government has covered half of the $128 million in administrative costs for managing the program, which has provided roughly $800 million in cash benefits.
With the new regulations from the Trump administration set to take effect in 2026, states will be required to shoulder 75% of the administrative fees starting in 2027, leading to increased cash benefit responsibilities. If SNAP ends up providing too many or too few benefits, it will be deemed an error.
Tennessee had an error rate of just under 10% in the last fiscal year, which means the state could be liable for a portion of the $800 million in cash assistance, around 10%. A recent analysis by the Tennessee Children and Youth Commission suggests that maintaining benefits for children alone could mean an additional $110 million burden for the state.
States are obligated to offer SNAP benefits to those who qualify, but new federal laws will restrict their ability to adjust benefit amounts or modify state programs. As Anderson emphasized, Tennessee could end up needing to completely eliminate these benefits.
As of now, the state has not issued a thorough analysis regarding the effects of the SNAP changes, and other mandated cuts by the Trump administration complicate the situation further.
Additionally, federal law now stipulates the exclusion of refugees, asylum seekers, and victims of immigration-related crimes from receiving benefits. Work requirements have also amplified; the majority of SNAP recipients must work, train, or attend school up to the age of 54, with the requirement extending to age 64 for continued benefits. Parents of kids older than 14 also face new work requirements, whereas the previous stipulation focused on children older than 16.
Daniel Cotton, spokesperson for the Department of Human Services, mentioned that they are examining the new federal laws and plan to share updates during the budget hearings in November. “We eagerly anticipate discussing more concrete information with the public at our upcoming sessions,” she noted.
