WIC funding could run out if shutdown continues into November. What to know.

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) is at risk of running out of funding if the ongoing government shutdown continues into November.

WIC is a federal nutrition program that provides food, education and counseling to at-risk children under 5 years old, as well as pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding individuals.

The National WIC Association (NWA), a nonprofit organization that advocates for WIC recipients, said on Oct. 21 that millions of families could lose their benefits come Nov. 1 without additional funding for the program.

"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," Georgia Machell, president and CEO of NWA, said in a statement.

In a statement to USA TODAY, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees the WIC program and is led by President Donald Trump appointee Brooke Rollins, blamed Democratic lawmakers for the shutdown, echoing similar comments made by Republicans and other Trump administration officials throughout the month.

“While Democrats continue to vote to prolong the government shutdown, blocking funding for mothers and babies who rely on the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), USDA will utilize tariff revenue to fund WIC for the foreseeable future," the statement said.

It's unclear how much funding is available through tariff revenue and how it will sustain the program.

WIC program receives temporary emergency funds, but more are needed

Before the onset of the shutdown, the NWA warned that the program would run out of money one or two weeks into October without Congress passing a new budget.

However, earlier this month, the White House issued emergency funds that temporarily kept the program running. Despite this, the NWA stated that the emergency funding is only enough to sustain the program through Oct. 31, so people could lose access to their benefits beginning Nov. 1 if nothing changes.

The organization is pushing for an additional $300 million to contiue the program through the first two weeks of November, according to an Oct. 21 release.

When contacted on Oct. 24, the White House referred USA TODAY to the Office of Management and Budget, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding whether it will issue more emergency funds for WIC.

What will happen to WIC if shutdown continues into November?

If the government shutdown continues into November, the WIC program risks going without the funding it needs to operate. As a result, some of its usual services may be impacted.

"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," Machell said.

WIC provides a variety of services, including free healthy foods, nutrition education and breastfeeding support.

In a letter to the White House on Oct. 24, the NWA said some states may have to issue furlough notices to clinic staff beginning Oct. 27 if they do not receive additional funding.

"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, which was co-signed by more than 40 other organizations, said.

Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at [email protected].