WIC programs could run out of funds in 12 weeks if shutdown continues. What we know. Greta Cross, USA TODAYOctober 3, 2025 at 2:06 AM 0 The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, commonly known as WIC, will be impacted by the ongoing government shutdown, if it is pro...
- - WIC programs could run out of funds in 1-2 weeks if shutdown continues. What we know.
Greta Cross, USA TODAYOctober 3, 2025 at 2:06 AM
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The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, commonly known as WIC, will be impacted by the ongoing government shutdown, if it is prolonged, officials said.
The federal government entered Day Two of the shutdown on Thursday, Oct. 2. President Donald Trump, his Republican allies and opposing Democrats have shown no signs of agreeing on federal budgeting legislation. Funding in support of additional health care programming remains the key point of division.
In addition to non-essential agencies closing doors, federal workers are fearful of looming layoffs, which White House officials have claimed are "imminent" within "a day or two."
Here's how the government shutdown is impacting WIC.
With the government out of money after President Donald Trump and lawmakers failed to agree on a deal to keep the lights on, many federal departments and agencies have been closed since midnight. See what remains open and what has closed.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>People wait in line to enter the Federal Building in Los Angeles, California on October 1, 2025, where services are experiencing significant disruptions due to the federal government shutdown, as essential workers continue working without pay and non-essential federal workers are furloughed. With the government out of money after President Donald Trump and lawmakers failed to agree on a deal to keep the lights on, many federal departments and agencies have been closed since midnight. See what remains open and what has closed.
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People wait in line to enter the Federal Building in Los Angeles, California on October 1, 2025, where services are experiencing significant disruptions due to the federal government shutdown, as essential workers continue working without pay and non-essential federal workers are furloughed. With the government out of money after President Donald Trump and lawmakers failed to agree on a deal to keep the lights on, many federal departments and agencies have been closed since midnight. See what remains open and what has closed.
">People wait in line to enter the Federal Building in Los Angeles, California on October 1, 2025, where services are experiencing significant disruptions due to the federal government shutdown, as essential workers continue working without pay and non-essential federal workers are furloughed. With the government out of money after President Donald Trump and lawmakers failed to agree on a deal to keep the lights on, many federal departments and agencies have been closed since midnight. See what remains open and what has closed.
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Members of the National Guard patrol along the grounds of the US Capitol on the first day of the US government shutdown in Washington, DC, on October 1, 2025. Essential services, like military and law enforcement, remain working.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/wa3WoUB class=caas-img data-headline="See the impact of the government shutdown as agencies shutter or fight to stay open" data-caption="
Members of the National Guard patrol along the grounds of the US Capitol on the first day of the US government shutdown in Washington, DC, on October 1, 2025. Essential services, like military and law enforcement, remain working.
">Members of the National Guard patrol along the grounds of the US Capitol on the first day of the US government shutdown in Washington, DC, on October 1, 2025. Essential services, like military and law enforcement, remain working.
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1 / 15See the impact of the government shutdown as agencies shutter or fight to stay open
People wait in line to enter the Federal Building in Los Angeles, California on October 1, 2025, where services are experiencing significant disruptions due to the federal government shutdown, as essential workers continue working without pay and non-essential federal workers are furloughed. With the government out of money after President Donald Trump and lawmakers failed to agree on a deal to keep the lights on, many federal departments and agencies have been closed since midnight. See what remains open and what has closed.
What is WIC?
WIC is a federal nutrition program that provides food, education and counseling to nearly 7 million at-risk pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding individuals, as well as infants and children up to 5 years old.
Will WIC close during the government shutdown?
If the shutdown continues, WIC will likely run out of funding within one or two weeks, National WIC Association President and CEO Georgia Machell said in a Sept. 30 news release.
Until then, WIC will continue operating under available funding, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) contingency plan.
WIC can "recover and reallocate unused grant funds from the previous fiscal year" for state-level activity, but federal activities will cease once funding is unavailable, the plan states. States can carry over up to 3% of fiscal year 2025 funding, if unused, according to the Food Research & Action Center. The remaining funds are returned to USDA to be reallocated for fiscal year 2026.
"WIC provides critical nutritious foods, breastfeeding support, infant formula, and access to health screenings and referrals," Machell said in the news release. "These services are not a luxury; they are a necessary lifeline. Even temporary disruptions to the program could have long-term negative consequences for the health and development of our nation's families."
How does the shutdown impact WIC in my state?
As of Oct. 2, state-level WIC programs are not impacted by the shutdown. To better understand the government shutdown's impact on WIC in a specific state, visit your state's WIC website for more details.
What is a government shutdown?
Each fiscal year, Congress approves funding for federal agencies. If Congress does not pass funding legislation or temporary stopgaps, known as continuing resolutions, federal agencies must shut down or stop normal spending, according to the United States Office of Personnel Management.
When did the government shut down?
The current funding for the government expired at midnight on Tuesday, Sept. 30. A government shutdown started at 12:01 a.m. ET on Wednesday, Oct. 1.
The sky begins to brighten just before sunrise behind the U.S. Capitol on the second day of a federal government shutdown in Washington, D.C. on Oct. 2, 2025.Why did the government shut down?
One of the main reasons congressional leaders have not agreed on budgeting legislation is due to proposed changes to health care policy. Senate Democrats have blocked a Republican funding proposal in order to prevent Medicaid cuts that were part of Trump's major tax-cut legislation and the expiration of health insurance subsidies, which could result in dramatic cost increases for million of Americans if they lapse.
How long will the shutdown last?
The federal government has shut down 21 times since 1977. Based on previous instances, an average shutdown lasts about eight days.
The longest government shutdown in the last 50 years was under the first Trump administration from December 2018 to January 2019. It lasted 35 days.
Contributing: Joey Garrison, Bart Jansen and Sudiksha Kochi/USA TODAY
Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: WIC programs could run out of funding due to shutdown, officials say
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