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7h ago

WIC Funding Teeters After Shutdown Pause as States Step In and Tariff Plan Faces Doubts

USDA paused FY2026 allocations, leaving a $150 million contingency that advocates say may last one to two weeks.

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Volunteers from Philip Morris International US, USI Insurance Services, Liberty Bank and regular volunteers pack food for distribution by Connecticut Foodshare’s mobile pantries, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025. Philip Morris International US donated $100,000 to Connecticut Foodshare in recognition of Hunger Action Month. Connecticut Foodshare provides food to at least one pantry in each of Connecticut’s 169 towns and cities. “Because of our efficiency and our volunteer force here, every dollar donated we can turn into two meals, so $100,000 is great — 200,000 meals is even better,” said Jason Jakubowski, president and CEO of Connecticut Foodshare. (Aaron Flaum/Hartford Courant)
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HayDmitriy / Depositphotos.com

Overview

  • White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Section 232 tariff revenue will be directed to WIC during the shutdown, but legal authority is in question and no specifics on amounts or distribution have been provided.
  • USDA told state agencies it would not issue their quarterly FY2026 WIC allocations and offered up to $150 million in contingency support to cover shortfalls.
  • States are deploying stopgaps to keep benefits flowing: Connecticut tapped its common cash pool and Colorado approved $7.5 million to fund WIC through October.
  • Other jurisdictions warn they cannot sustain services for long without federal funds, with Washington state signaling likely suspension once reserves are exhausted.
  • On-the-ground impacts are mounting as programs remain open for now: New York’s WIC served about 440,000 people last year on roughly $500 million in federal funds, Arizona expects leftover funds to last through October as it weighs state help, and Oklahoma officials have identified temporary backstops if needed.