Below is the most recent statement from the National WIC Association, regarding WIC services, which are still available during the government shutdown:
While most programs under the auspices of the Department of Health and Human Services are unaffected, the WIC program, which is funded through the Department of Agriculture, is impacted by the shutdown. Here’s how it breaks down:
* WIC agencies continue operating as normal, and have so far not reported any issues or disturbances to normal operations.
* Agencies are expected to have adequate funding on hand currently to last through the month of January.
* Food and Nutrition Service has communicated to WIC agencies that they plan to undertake measures on January 3 to identify & provide additional funding, including: allocating all remaining carryover funds and preliminary recoveries to State agencies, working with State agencies to make their FY 2018 Nutrition Services and Administration (NSA) spend forward funds available for FY 2019 obligations, and asking State agencies to identify additional unspent FY 2018 funds that may be available for recovery and reallocation as FY 2019 grant funds.
Bottom line: WIC is still up and running! Please visit our office for WIC services on the first and third Monday of the month from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. We also offer Maternal Support Services (MSS) on the first Wednesday of the month from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, a walk-in clinic on the fourth Wednesday of the month from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, and family planning services on the 25th of the month.
