NNCC Joins Letter Urging Additional Emergency Funds for WIC

Originally published by the National WIC Association on October 24.

Today, 44 national organizations have signed on to a letter led by the National WIC Association (NWA) urging the White House to provide an additional $300 million in emergency funds for WIC.

This critical funding would sustain program operations through the first two weeks of November and prevent millions of families from losing access to essential WIC services as soon as November 1. Last week, state WIC programs received temporary emergency funds from the White House to stabilize the program through October 31 during the ongoing federal government shutdown. However, that funding is rapidly depleting, and numerous states are projected to exhaust their resources for WIC benefits as early as next month. The letter underscores the severe consequences that women, infants, and young children will face if funding is not secured. The diverse coalition, which includes representatives from the nonprofit, dairy, and retail sectors, emphasizes that this crisis is preventable.

“These disruptions for families can be prevented by releasing additional funding to WIC. With no end in sight for this government shutdown, the White House must act to ensure that families and children do not become casualties of congressional inaction,” the letter states. On behalf of the 44 undersigned national organizations, we urge you to provide additional funds to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) during this time of uncertainty. Even with last week’s funds from the White House to stabilize the program, numerous states are projected to exhaust their resources for WIC benefits as early as November 1. We request that the White House provides an additional $300 million in emergency funding to WIC to continue operating in early November and avoid major disruptions on November 1 for women, infants, and young children.

WIC is the nation’s premier preventive public health nutrition program, supporting nearly 7 million low-income mothers and young children who have or are at risk for developing nutrition-related diseases and disorders. WIC benefits are not only critical nutritious food, but families also benefit from nutrition education, breastfeeding education and support, and referrals to medical and social services. While we know WIC has historically remained open for business during government shutdowns, the timing of this shutdown at the beginning of a fiscal year has significantly limited the federal funding options available to states. While we thank the White House for temporarily sustaining WIC for the month of October, it’s imperative that you provide additional funding by early the week of October 27 to avoid major disruptions to WIC beginning on November 1.

Without additional funding, some states may take steps to turn off WIC benefits and issue furlough notices to clinic staff the week of October 27. This means that families could lose access to infant formula, breastfeeding support, nutritious foods, healthcare screenings, and more beginning on November 1. These disruptions for families can be prevented by releasing additional funding to WIC. With no end in sight for this government shutdown, the White House must act to ensure that families and children do not become casualties of congressional inaction. Thank you for your time and for your continued commitment to protecting the health and well-being of families across the nation.

You can read the full article here.