WIC Food Assistance for Women and Children at Risk Amidst Shutdown
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) is facing a potential funding crisis due to the ongoing government shutdown. The program, which provides food assistance to over 1.5 million women, 1.5 million infants, and 3.8 million children under the age of 6, may run out of money within weeks.
WIC, which accounts for more than half of the infant formula purchased in the U.S., deposits funds onto debit cards for food purchases at grocery stores. These funds can only be used for healthy food items. However, the program's future is now uncertain due to the shutdown.
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries has accused Republicans of threatening WIC funding, stating that they dislike the program. This accusation comes after Representative Kevin McCarthy, a Republican, allegedly expressed his party's lack of support for WIC. However, it's important to note that the Trump administration has not publicly shown antipathy towards WIC or proposed significant changes to the program.
The National WIC Association has warned that the shutdown's timing puts the program at risk of rapidly running out of funds. If the shutdown continues for more than a couple of weeks, WIC benefits may only last a week or two. An Office of Management and Budget spokesperson has confirmed that WIC would run out of money in October if the shutdown persists, impacting the benefits for women and children enrolled in the program.
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