How would a prolonged shutdown impact federal food assistance programs?

Historically the Special Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) has been unaffected by government shutdowns, including the 2018 shutdown, which began well into the fiscal year. But this shutdown is falling at the beginning of a fiscal year, which means no budget is in place to immediately support the program.

“Any government shutdown that is prolonged and lasts more than a week, we’re concerned [it] would put babies and young children at risk,” said Georgia Machell, president and CEO of the National WIC Association, a nonprofit WIC advocacy group.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) does have some tools to ensure eligible families can continue to access WIC. States have been able to use carryover funds, or the agency itself has drawn on  contingency funds to ensure the program can continue, said Machell.

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However, the USDA has yet to publicly release an updated contingency plan for a shutdown. This has caused more concern and uncertainty, given White House guidance suggesting a shutdown could trigger mass layoffs.

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