About 2 million parents, young children could be turned away from WIC without full funding
Congress has until next September to fully fund or implement cuts
Inadequate funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) could force states to put eligible new and expecting parents and young children on waiting lists for nutrition assistance.
More than two months into fiscal year 2024, Congress has thus far failed to provide the WIC with the additional funding needed this fiscal year to avoid turning away eligible young children and pregnant and postpartum adults with low incomes for the first time in decades.
WIC’s funding needs have grown due to higher-than-expected participation and food costs. Inadequate funding would force states to put eligible new and expecting parents and young children on waiting lists for nutrition assistance, jeopardizing access to this highly effective program during an important window for child development.
Congress, on a bipartisan basis, has fully funded WIC for more than 25 years. As lawmakers work to finalize full-year funding bills, it is critical that they honor that long-standing commitment and give WIC the funding it needs to serve every low-income family who seeks assistance and to provide participants with the full science-based benefit.
If Congress fails to do so and continues WIC’s current funding level for the rest of the fiscal year, WIC would face a roughly $1 billion shortfall in 2024.
Estimates by the Center on Budget and Policy priorities shows that, states would need to reduce WIC participation by about 2 million young children and pregnant and postpartum adults nationwide by September, compared to anticipated participation if full funding were provided, with harm falling disproportionately on Black and Hispanic families.