Shutdown Could Exhaust WIC Funds in 1–2 Weeks, Jeopardizing Nutrition for 6+ Million
A partial federal shutdown could exhaust a $150 million contingency fund supporting the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) within about one to two weeks, jeopardizing benefits from the roughly $8 billion program that serves more than 6 million low‑income mothers and young children. WIC participants such as Taylor Moyer describe the program as vital for providing nutritious meals, and the National WIC Association’s policy director, Ali Hard, cautions the contingency funding may only last one to two weeks.
Health
Social Welfare
Politics
📌 Key Facts
- The WIC program is an $8 billion federal nutrition program serving more than 6 million low‑income mothers and young children nationwide.
- WIC is currently being supported by a $150 million contingency fund that could be exhausted within "one to two weeks," according to Ali Hard, policy director of the National WIC Association.
- If the contingency fund runs out, the shutdown would jeopardize nutrition assistance for the program's more than 6 million participants.
- PBS included a named WIC participant, Taylor Moyer, who gave a first‑person account of how WIC helps provide nutritious meals for her family.
- Reporting situates the WIC funding risk in a broader political context, citing comments from House Speaker Mike Johnson and referencing the conservative Project 2025 agenda (per a widely distributed AP dispatch).
📰 Sources (3)
Government shutdown threatens WIC food program used by millions of families
New information:
- Includes a named WIC participant (Taylor Moyer) giving a first-person account of how WIC helps provide nutritious meals for her family.
- Direct attribution and quote from Ali Hard, policy director of the National WIC Association, saying the program is covered by a $150 million contingency fund and could last 'one to two weeks.'
- Restates program size ($8 billion) and the national participant count (more than 6 million) in a widely distributed AP dispatch and situates it in the political context (House Speaker Mike Johnson comments and Project 2025 reference).
Government shutdown threatens food aid program relied on by millions of families
New information:
- WIC program size cited as $8 billion and serving more than 6 million low‑income mothers and young children.
- Program is being temporarily supported by a $150 million contingency fund that experts say could run dry within one to two weeks.
- Direct quote from Ali Hard, policy director for the National WIC Association: 'We feel good about one to two weeks.'