While essential federal programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security remain unaffected by the government shutdown, nutrition assistance programs that many expectant mothers and new families rely on face immediate risks.
Take the experience of Lucia Graves from Lebanon, New Hampshire. She discovered she was pregnant in March 2020, just days before the Covid-19 pandemic forced widespread closures. At that time, she was working as a waitress and financially independent.
“I remember thinking, ‘How am I going to manage this baby with no job?'” she recalls.
Lucia’s pregnancy was complicated, and her daughter arrived prematurely by a month. After a brief period of breastfeeding, her milk supply diminished. A social worker then informed her about eligibility for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), which proved to be a vital support.
“WIC helped cover baby formula, which was a lifesaver,” she explains. “We received about 10 to 12 cans monthly. It didn’t cover everything, but it made a significant difference.”
WIC offers more than just formula; it provides breastfeeding assistance, nutritional guidance, and supports children up to age five. This program benefits nearly 7 million individuals nationwide, including close to half of all infants born in the United States.
Now engaged, Lucia’s fiancé has a young daughter as well. Both children qualify for $26 monthly in fruits and vegetables, along with a selection of WIC-approved groceries. She worries that losing this aid would make maintaining a nutritious diet and managing household expenses much more difficult.
“With soaring prices for milk, eggs, and bread, losing WIC support would be a huge blow,” she says.
This shutdown threatens to impact these benefits sooner than the 2018 government closure because it coincides with the start of the federal fiscal year. Without a new budget from Congress, agencies lack fresh funding.
Nell Menefee-Libey from the National WIC Association warns, “We have a very limited window-about two weeks-before program operations face serious disruption.”
Funds to sustain WIC during this period will come from contingency reserves, leftover budget allocations from the previous year, and rebates from infant formula manufacturers. After that, states will need to bridge the funding gap, though resources will vary by state.
In anticipation, Colorado legislators recently approved $7.5 million to support WIC locally. During the last shutdown, states were reimbursed for such expenditures.
Studies consistently demonstrate that WIC enhances pregnancy outcomes, supports child development, and promotes healthier lifelong eating habits, ultimately lowering healthcare costs. However, if the shutdown persists, Menefee-Libey cautions that some WIC offices may have to prioritize services, focusing on pregnant and breastfeeding women while limiting access for preschool-aged children.
“Turning families away risks losing them permanently,” she notes. “These early years are critical for setting a foundation for a child’s health.”
Meanwhile, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the nation’s largest food aid initiative, is currently more secure financially. SNAP benefits are preloaded onto debit-like cards monthly, ensuring recipients have access to food through October.
Gina Plata-Nino of the Food Research & Action Center encourages eligible individuals to apply without hesitation.
Food banks remain operational and are preparing for increased demand from furloughed federal workers and contractors affected by the shutdown.
“During the previous shutdown, we saw professionals in suits lining up at food banks because they had no income and still had bills to pay,” Plata-Nino recalls. “We hope to avoid that scenario this time.”
