The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) provides healthy foods, including fruits, vegetables, milk, eggs, and cheese, at no cost to eligible pregnant and postpartum women and families with children under 5. (Jonathan Weiss/Shutterstock)
As Texas heads into its second week of Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits being delayed, recipients are unsure if they will receive even a portion of their usual payment to help cover groceries. Meanwhile, another crucial nutrition program—WIC—is holding steady, though officials warn a prolonged federal shutdown could put it at risk.
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) provides healthy foods, including fruits, vegetables, milk, eggs, and cheese, at no cost to eligible pregnant and postpartum women and families with children under 5. SNAP, on the other hand, serves individuals and families more broadly, and covers a wide range of grocery items.
“HHSC is monitoring how the federal government shutdown may impact benefits,” Jennifer Ruffcorn, press officer for Texas Health and Human Services, told COURIER HTX in an email. “WIC benefits are not currently affected.”
In addition to food items, Texas WIC also offers nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and one-on-one counseling for families. One of the biggest items available through WIC is formula, which can average between $25-$300 a month depending on age and consumption habits.
In September, it was estimated that 810,912 people participated in the program.
But the uncertainty is stressful, no matter where you live. Madison H., a pregnant mother of four who also depends on SNAP, currently lives in Kansas. She told COURIER HTX that she has been receiving assistance through WIC since she was pregnant with her first child.
“I had severe morning sickness and couldn’t work my restaurant job anymore. Shortly after I gave birth I was diagnosed with Postpartum Depression and Postpartum Anxiety; both were extremely detrimental to my health, relationship, and my life,” she said. “Thankfully my then boyfriend, now husband, had a job that paid enough to cover bills, diapers, and necessities, but we still needed extra help.”
Now, with SNAP benefits delayed, Madison’s family is struggling.
“My husband already works up to 65 hours a week to keep us afloat, and after hearing the November SNAP benefits were going to be delayed he needed to work even more,” she said. “This made things much, much worse for him and our entire family, as we rely on SNAP for most of our food budget.”
At the beginning of November, the National WIC Association announced that $450 million had been allocated to keep WIC running during the shutdown. However, officials are warning that this is only a temporary solution and is not sustainable long term.
“American families should not have to worry whether essential nutritional support for their infants and young children will vanish from week to week,” Georgia Machell, President & CEO of the National WIC Association, said. “This uncertainty is the direct result of the government shutdown, and it is unacceptable.”
While statements released by the US Department of Agriculture, which oversees the WIC program, have put the blame on Democratic lawmakers for the shutdown, the impasse over funding the government is about funding government services. Democrats want to ensure that Affordable Care Act subsidies are passed to ensure health insurance remains affordable, and to reverse the Trump administration’s cuts to Medicaid.
Meanwhile, the Republican-led House has not been in session since the shutdown began more than a month ago.
