(NEXSTAR) – Those who rely on food assistance may be feeling uneasy as lawmakers predict the federal government shutdown, which started on Wednesday, will last for at least a week.
Both SNAP and WIC are run by the United States Department of Agriculture, which has more than 40,000 employees furloughed during the shutdown.
Here’s what we know about how the shutdown is impacting food assistance.
How are SNAP food stamps affected?
SNAP, which stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, used to be called the Food Stamp Program. The program helps low-income and no-income families buy groceries by loading up a monthly benefit allowance onto an EBT card.
Because of the way SNAP is funded, the impact of a government shutdown isn’t felt right away, a USDA spokesperson told Nexstar. Each month’s benefits are issued the month prior, so people are receiving their October benefits as normal even though there’s a lapse in government funding.
If the shutdown drags on longer than a month, there is reserve funding that should allow SNAP to keep operating for a while and a “limited number” of employees are being exempt from furlough to keep things running.
Due to limited staffing and operations at the USDA, the Food Research and Action Center warns November benefits processing could still be delayed, even if the program remains funded.
How are WIC benefits impacted?
WIC, which refers to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, provides food assistance to low-income pregnant women, new mothers, and their babies and young children.
WIC benefits should also continue during a shutdown – for now. The program is low on funds and the National WIC Association, an advocacy group, says money could run out if the shutdown goes beyond one or two weeks.
The USDA’s shutdown contingency plan say WIC can reallocate unused grant money from the previous fiscal year to keep benefits up and running, but even a short delay or disruption could pose significant hardship to families.
“WIC provides critical nutritious foods, breastfeeding support, infant formula, and access to health screenings and referrals,” said Georgia Machell, President and CEO of the National WIC Association. “These services are not a luxury; they are a necessary lifeline. Even temporary disruptions to the program could have long-term negative consequences for the health and development of our nation’s families.”
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