Federal funding cuts to SNAP placing bigger financial burden on Tennessee

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - For families who rely on government assistance to get food on the table, there could be uncertainty ahead. Federal funding cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will cost the state millions to keep serving the same number of Tennesseans who rely on it now.

A new budget recommendation report from the Tennessee Commission on Children & Youth is outlining two major changes in federal funding for SNAP. The state is looking at more than $165 million a year to keep the program funded at the same level.

The data only includes children and youth beneficiaries, which accounts for less than half of SNAP users statewide. Kylie Graves, the director of data, policy and communications for TCCY, says the number will be even higher when you look at all SNAP bene