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23m ago

Shutdown Halts WIC Funding, Raising Risk of Benefit Lapses Within Days

USDA has paused WIC’s quarterly payment, pushing states to tap limited reserves.

A view of the dome of the U.S. Capitol building, during a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives on a stopgap spending bill to avert a partial government shutdown that would otherwise begin October 1, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. U.S., September 19, 2025. REUTERS/Kent Nishimura
The summer kickoff for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children in Texas May 30, 2025.
Credit: USDA
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Overview

  • USDA notified state WIC directors that the next quarterly allocation will not be sent during the shutdown.
  • OMB Director Russell Vought told House Republicans WIC could run out of money as soon as next week, and a Senate briefing flagged potential shortfalls by mid-October.
  • USDA says it will administer WIC only as funds allow, with states drawing on up to $150 million in contingency money and limited carryover balances.
  • The National WIC Association warns disruptions could begin within one to two weeks if the closure persists, with timelines varying by state.
  • Some states pledged near‑term coverage, including Montana for at least a month and Connecticut in the short term, while national leaders traded blame over funding and prior budget proposals.