SPRINGFIELD — While city department heads continue to seek ways to trim spending, concerns loom about if it will be enough to prepare for possible federal cuts.

The city receives $55 million in direct federal assistance and the schools receive some $75 million, much of it in Title One grants that help schools with a high number of low-income families, said Mayor Domenic J. Sarno.

“If we were to lose that funding, CDGB (federal Community Block Grants) is a lifeline to mayors,” Sarno said referring to the federal entitlement program that provides money for a wide number of anti-poverty projects.