WASHINGTON, DC – The National WIC Association (NWA) is warning that millions of families could lose access to their WIC benefits as early as November 1 unless the Trump Administration provides additional emergency funds next week. To avert this crisis, NWA is calling for an additional $300 million to sustain program operations through the first two weeks of November.
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 following is a statement from Georgia Machell, President and CEO of NWA:
"The National WIC Association is grateful for the emergency funds that kept WIC running this month. However, without additional support, State WIC Agencies face another looming crisis. Several are set to run out of funds to pay for WIC benefits on November 1 and may need to start making contingency plans as early as next week.
"NWA is calling on the White House to make additional emergency funds available to avoid a short-term crisis for the millions of American families who count on WIC while Congress negotiates full-year funding for FY 2026.
"WIC is a lifeline for nearly 7 million pregnant and postpartum women, infants, and young children. Even short-term disruption to WIC’s healthy food benefits, lactation support, nutrition education, screenings, and referrals can have long-term negative impacts on families.
"Without additional funding, State WIC Agencies may be forced to take drastic measures that prevent families from accessing the services they need, such as halting food benefits. This would directly jeopardize the health and nutrition of millions of mothers, babies, and young children.
"The time to act is now. Allowing funding for lifeline programs like WIC to lapse is not an option. We have a fundamental responsibility to protect the health of millions of mothers, babies, and young children. Securing these emergency funds is a moral imperative to safeguard our nation's future and ensure no family loses the critical WIC services they rely on."