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The government shutdown is putting the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program at risk of running out of funds, affecting millions of families who depend on it for essential food benefits. WIC provides vouchers for infant formula, fruits, vegetables, and other healthy staples, and is currently relying on a $150 million contingency fund that experts say could run out within two weeks if the shutdown continues. When the money runs out, states will have to decide whether to use their own funds to keep WIC running. Iowa and Connecticut have committed to using state funds, while Mississippi is continuing payments but pausing new enrollments. Washington state leaders say they can only sustain the program for another week or two.Advocates warn parents could soon face impossible choices. "And I think in particular for parents of infants who like their sole source of nutrition is infant formula. If you run out of the program that gets you infant formula, what do you do?" Senior Public Policy Manager at the National WIC Association Nell Menefee-Libey said.The White House says the House-passed short-term budget includes an anomaly of $600 million for the WIC program. SNAP benefits are considered to be in better shape financially, as the debit-like cards used for purchases are loaded a month in advance.Here is what several states told us when we asked about the funding of SNAP and WIC benefits:AlabamaAlabama Department of Public Health:“The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) would like to reassure participants of the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program that the program continues to operate during the federal government shutdown. Currently, all WIC services, including appointments, benefits issuance, and nutrition education, remain available statewide. The only measure that ADPH has taken at this time is to move to a one-month benefit issuance frequency in order to continue serving our WIC Program participants. ADPH will follow guidance as it unfolds and adjust its actions accordingly to ensure that Alabama citizens receive the best possible service. ADPH is closely monitoring the situation related to the government shutdown and is preparing to make adjustments as needed based on updates from our federal partners. Alabama WIC will do everything possible to minimize any impact on our participants.”GeorgiaGeorgia Department of Public Health:“To date, the lack of a federal Fiscal Year 2026 spending package has not impacted the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) in Georgia. At this time, we anticipate WIC clinics will remain operational, and we expect WIC benefits to continue for the next 2–3 weeks. The Georgia Department of Public Health is evaluating options to extend these services as long as possible. We are monitoring potential impacts of an extended federal government shutdown on a daily basis.”IowaHeather Nahas/Communications Director for Governer Kim Reynolds“While SNAP eligible households will receive monthly benefits for October, the state of Iowa has stepped in to provide temporary funding for women and children in the WIC program. However, the state’s ability to continue its support of the federal program depends on the duration of the government shutdown.”Kentucky Kentucky Department for Public Health:“Team Kentucky values the pivotal role that both WIC and SNAP play in combating hunger across the commonwealth. The Kentucky Department for Public Health intends to continue offering WIC benefits as normal for as long as possible during the federal government shutdown. Kentuckians enrolled in WIC should continue to use their benefits as usual, including keeping their appointments with their local WIC agencies.The Department for Community Based Services intends to administer the SNAP program through the duration of October per guidance from the USDA regarding the availability of funding.”MarylandMaryland Department of Health:“We understand that the federal government shutdown has caused concern and uncertainty for Marylanders. At this time, Maryland Department of Health activities and services, including WIC, will continue without interruption.However, the length of the shutdown and level of commitment from the federal government may impact the ability of these programs to continue to operate for an extended period. The Moore-Miller administration will work closely with the State Treasurer and the Comptroller to monitor potential impacts and communicate updates.Gov. Wes Moore recently announced a series of actions to support and protect all Marylanders who will be affected by this lapse in federal funding and is working to ensure that major federal programs will continue to operate. MDH will continue to advocate for Marylanders who rely on federally funded programs that could see impacts and deserve access to quality care.”MississippiMississippi Department of Human Services:“MDHS will continue to monitor federal developments and communicate promptly with SNAP clients and partners as new information is provided. Should the shutdown continue into November, MDHS will follow federal and state guidance on the matter.”New YorkNew York Governor’s Office:“By failing to ensure funds for New York’s WIC program, Republicans in Washington are abandoning pregnant women and infants who rely on this critical nutrition program to support their families. Governor Hochul is doing everything in her power to protect WIC recipients from the choice between putting food on the table or their health at risk. New York's seven Republican members of Congress ought to do the same by getting back to Washington, ending the GOP shutdown, and standing up for New York's most vulnerable.”North CarolinaNorth Carolina Department of Health and Human Services:“Leaders at NCDHHS continue to work with state and federal partners on strategies to lessen potential repercussions and strains on federally funded state services in North Carolina during the federal government shutdown.While still waiting on additional information from federal partners, NCDHHS anticipates that people who receive food benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and/or the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) will continue to receive benefits through the end of October.For each program potentially impacted by the shutdown, the federal government is deciding which would be ‘exempt’ from a shutdown and giving us guidance on how to proceed.NCDHHS may not be impacted immediately, but that could change depending on the length of the shutdown. In 2013, federally funded programs, like LIHEAP, WIC, TANF, were impacted among others. However, NCDHHS will need to wait for final clarity from federal partners to know the exact impact to our programs. NCDHHS is committed to communicating quickly and clearly to everyone in North Carolina who will need to navigate the consequences of the federal shutdown.”OhioOhio Department of Health:“The Ohio WIC program does not expect an impact on benefits in the near future as benefits are currently funded. It is premature to comment on potential effects of any potential shutdown length. The ODH team is diligently monitoring the situation so that we can be prepared for all circumstances. However, federal government shutdowns have occurred with some frequency over the last couple of generations, and our program staff do not recall any benefit impacts occurring with this program during past federal government shutdowns.”Pennsylvnia Gov. Josh Shapiro's office:“The Shapiro Administration recognizes the uncertainty and stress a federal government shutdown can cause for Pennsylvanians who rely on essential services and programs, like WIC. In this instance, the Commonwealth does not have the ability to declare a public health emergency and pull down additional funding for WIC, nor can we utilize dollars in the rainy day fund without a General Assembly appropriation.While currently still operating, we are awaiting further direction from the USDA as it remains unclear how long WIC services will continue without additional action at the federal level. The Administration remains committed to supporting mothers and babies throughout the federal shutdown.”VermontVermont Department of Health:“Despite the current government shutdown, WIC services are continuing without interruption. WIC families can redeem their benefit to access the healthy foods they rely on, and should still attend their appointments so they can access nutrition and lactation support. WIC clinics will continue to operate during the government shutdown to provide food benefits, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referral services. WIC programming is fully funded through October. Vermont is closely monitoring the impacts of the federal government shutdown and exploring options as the situation develops.”Back pay for federal workers in questionThe White House is pointing to an OMB memo that claims there's no guarantee furloughed workers will get back pay, even though federal law requires it. President Trump said it's up to Congress to decide, while critics call that illegal and a pressure tactic to end the shutdown.For more coverage on the shutdown from the Washington News Bureau: