Shutdown Threatens WIC Benefits for 6.8 Million

The federal government shutdown that began Oct. 1 has put the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) — which serves about 6.8 million low-income pregnant and postpartum women, infants and children — at immediate risk because it depends on annual congressional funding. The program is being propped up by roughly $150 million in contingency funds that officials from the National WIC Association and the White House warn could be exhausted within one to two weeks. If federal funding lapses, states would have to front costs or reduce benefits, a move many say they cannot afford and that could force temporary program shutdowns. Food banks and local pantries report preparing for higher demand and are already seeing new clients, and advocates are urging Congress to pass funding quickly to avoid interruptions in access to infant formula, milk, fresh produce and other essential nutrition supports. Lawmakers’ proposals to scale back or reshape WIC funding have heightened concern about both an immediate cutoff and longer-term program stability.