Will WIC Be Affected by the Government Shutdown? What You Need to Know

The WIC Program provides supplemental nutritious foods, breastfeeding support, nutrition education and health referrals to low‑income pregnant women, new mothers, infants and children up to age 5. It supports millions of families who otherwise might struggle to pay for formula, healthy foods and related services.

Because WIC is funded through an annual federal appropriation (rather than being a fully open‑ended entitlement), it is especially vulnerable when the federal budget is not approved on time. AP News

What’s Going On

• The federal government entered a shutdown on October 1, 2025 because Congress failed to pass full funding for Fiscal Year 2026. Wikipedia
• According to the National WIC Association (NWA), state WIC agencies are warning they may exhaust available funds as early as November 1 unless additional support is secured. National WIC Association
• According to the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) and advocacy groups, WIC funding currently relies on leftover formula rebates, contingency funds and state‑level funding—none of which are sufficient to cover a prolonged shutdown. The Washington Post

What the Facts Say about WIC’s Vulnerability

Here are the key factual details:

• WIC is not an entitlement program—meaning participants do not have a guaranteed legal right to the full benefit if funding runs out. The Washington Post
• In fiscal year 2024, WIC cost more than $7.2 billion annually; when you break that down to weekly necessary funding, the available contingency funds would cover only about 1‑2 weeks of operations if no new funds arrive. The Washington Post
• For example: the Washington Post reported that WIC could “run out of money in weeks” unless the shutdown ends. The Washington Post
• One of the major risks: states may have to pause issuing benefits, reduce benefit levels, freeze new enrollments, or rely on state or local bridges to keep going. The Arc

What It Means for WIC Recipients

If you or someone you know uses WIC, here’s what to expect:

Short Term (Now through early November)

• If you have already been certified for WIC and your benefits for this month are loaded, you should be able to use them as usual.
• Local WIC offices are currently telling recipients: keep attending appointments, keep redeeming benefits, and await any official updates.
• But: do not assume everything will remain business‑as‑usual past early November.

Medium/Long Term (If Shutdown Persists)

• If Congress and the administration don’t resolve funding, sometime around or after November 1, you may encounter:
  • A delay in benefit issuance for the next month.
  • A reduction in benefit amounts.
  • A freeze on new enrollments or certifications.
  • Local WIC agencies may shift into “contingency mode” (i.e., prioritizing current participants, deferring new ones).
• Because WIC supports pregnant women and children, disruptions may carry long‑term health consequences (e.g., poorer infant nutrition, higher risk of developmental issues) when benefits stop or are reduced. AP News

What You Should Do Right Now

• Make sure your contact information (address, phone, email) is current in your WIC case file so you’ll receive any emergency notices.
• Attend your WIC appointments or certification sessions; delays may increase if the offices become understaffed.
• Redeem your current WIC benefits as soon as possible (especially for perishable foods) because supply issues or confusion may arise.
• Prepare a backup food plan: identify local food banks, community support services, or pantries in your area.
• Monitor your state’s WIC website and local news for alerts about benefit changes.
• If you are newly eligible for WIC, consider applying sooner rather than later, because delays may happen. Advocacy groups say “apply now even if you may face delays”.

Where to Get Help & Resources

National / Federal Level

• USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) WIC page: https://www.fns.usda.gov/wic
• National WIC Association (NWA): https://www.nwica.org — note their press release about funding risk. National WIC Association
• The Arc’s blog on SNAP & WIC during the shutdown: https://thearc.org/blog/what-you-need-to-know-about-snap-and-wic-if-the-government-shutdown-continues/ The Arc
• Feeding America – find your local food bank: https://www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank

If You Face Immediate Trouble

• National Hunger Hotline: 1‑866‑3‑HUNGRY (or 1‑877‑8‑HAMBRE) — for food resources. The Arc

Why This Matters (and Why You Should Care)

• For low‑income families, many of whom are already stretching every dollar, WIC benefits cover essentials: formula, healthy foods, support services. An interruption may force families to skip meals, pick cheaper unhealthy foods, or make impossible choices between food and other expenses.
• Research indicates good nutrition in early childhood (prenatal, infancy, toddler years) sets a foundation for health, education and long‑term outcomes. Any disruption to WIC’s support during that period can have lasting consequences. AP News
• If a large number of participants drop off because of benefit disruptions, they may not return easily when the program resumes; that sets both the child and the program back. Advocates say even a short interruption can hurt. The Washington Post

Final Takeaway

Yes — there is a very real risk that WIC benefits will be affected by the government shutdown in November 2025. Right now you may still be okay, but you should assume things could change. Use your benefits now, stay informed, and have backup plans ready.

If you want, I can pull together a state‑by‑state table showing which states have already announced WIC disruption plans (or reserves) and what Kansas specifically is doing. Would you like me to do that?