Trump Administration Partially Funds Child Nutrition Aid During Historic US Government Shutdown

The Trump administration has allocated $450 million in trade revenue to partially fund the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) amid a prolonged government shutdown, aiming to sustain nutrition aid for over 6 million low-income mothers and young children. This funding, drawn from customs receipts and tariff revenue, covers about three weeks of WIC benefits and follows a previous $300 million allocation earlier in the shutdown. Meanwhile, food aid under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which serves nearly 42 million Americans, is only being partially funded at 50% of normal allotments due to funding shortfalls, as the administration complies with court orders but declines to fully finance November benefits. The shutdown, nearing a historic 36-day length, has disrupted government services broadly, exacerbating food insecurity and complicating health insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act. State agencies are receiving the emergency WIC funds soon, but concerns remain that WIC cannot compensate for the SNAP shortfall, prompting some states to use their own resources to support food aid and food banks. Officials emphasize close monitoring of resources as demand for nutrition assistance programs grows during this period of uncertainty.