Changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program are taking effect this fall, bringing updated benefit calculations for Tennessee households while also creating new financial responsibilities for the state.

For families across Knoxville, Maryville, Oak Ridge and the rest of East Tennessee who use SNAP, the most immediate change is the program’s annual cost-of-living adjustment, which took effect Oct. 1. The federal government updates SNAP maximum benefits, income standards and certain deductions each year to reflect changes in food costs and inflation.

That means some households may see a modest change in their monthly benefit amount. The amount each family actually receives still depends on factors including household size, income and allowable expenses.

What Tennessee SNAP recipients should know

SNAP is federally funded and administered in Tennessee by the Tennessee Department of Human Services. TDHS says recipients can use the state’s One DHS Customer Portal to review their cases, submit applications and provide required documents.

The annual Oct. 1 adjustment does not mean every household receives the same increase. Benefits are calculated individually, so recipients should check their account or eligibility notice for their updated amount.

The state also continues to enforce expanded federal work requirements that affect some adults. Under rules announced by TDHS, certain adults ages 18 through 64 who do not have a disability and do not live with a child under 14 generally must work, volunteer or participate in qualifying job training for at least 80 hours per month to continue receiving benefits beyond the applicable time limit. Exemptions can apply depending on an individual’s circumstances.

A bigger change is coming for Tennessee’s budget

Beyond individual benefit amounts, Tennessee is also preparing for a significant change in how SNAP is financed.

Under federal legislation enacted in 2025, states are taking on a larger share of SNAP administrative expenses. Tennessee’s share increased from 50% to 75%, adding roughly $58 million to the state Department of Human Services budget, according to state budget documents and reporting by Tennessee Lookout.

Beginning in October 2027, states can also be required to pay part of SNAP benefit costs if their payment error rates exceed federal thresholds.

Tennessee’s federal SNAP payment error rate was 9.44% for fiscal year 2025, below the national average but above the 6% level established for the new cost-sharing system. USDA notes that a payment error rate does not measure fraud; it can include both overpayments and underpayments caused by administrative or eligibility mistakes.

If Tennessee’s applicable error rate remains within its current range, estimates cited by Tennessee Lookout indicate the state could eventually be responsible for roughly $162 million to $171 million annually in SNAP benefit costs, in addition to higher administrative expenses. The final amount is not yet known because Tennessee can use qualifying error-rate data from fiscal 2025 or 2026, and the 2026 figures are not expected until 2027.

What about Tennessee’s proposed food-purchase restrictions?

There is another SNAP change that has caused some confusion.

Tennessee previously planned to launch the Healthy SNAP Tennessee pilot, which would have restricted SNAP purchases of certain foods and beverages beginning in July 2026.

That program is not currently in effect.

TDHS says implementation was suspended after a federal court ruling in June. The agency says it continues to explore its options, but SNAP recipients should not assume those proposed purchase restrictions are currently active.

Where East Tennessee families can check their benefits

Current recipients can review their SNAP case through Tennessee’s One DHS Customer Portal, which allows users to check case information, submit documents and manage benefits.

Anyone whose household income, address, employment or family circumstances have changed should follow the reporting requirements associated with their case rather than relying on general benefit estimates.

For East Tennessee families, the practical takeaway is that Oct. 1 brought updated SNAP calculations, while larger federal changes are altering eligibility rules and how Tennessee pays for the program.

Those broader funding changes could become a significant state-budget issue over the next several years, but for current recipients, the best source for an exact monthly benefit amount remains their individual TDHS case.