Colorado WIC Beneficiaries Will Continue to Receive Benefits Despite Government Shutdown

Colorado will continue to provide WIC benefits–that is, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children–to eligible Colorado residents until further notice, despite the federal government shutdown.

Heidi Hoffman, the Director of the Colorado WIC program says the funding from the US Department of Agriculture will allow the program to continue.

With the federal government shutdown inching past its fourth week, many have expressed concern that millions of Americans will lose assistance and be unable to buy healthy food when temporary funding runs out in March.

WIC is entirely funded through federal dollars and Hoffman says that has led to anxiety in Colorado for families struggling to navigate the complex web of federal and state funding of the food assistance programs.  “So when one of those sources such as SNAP (food stamps) and or WIC, and/or other programs begin to look shaky or they’re confused about that or wondering how a shutdown might be affecting those programs, it causes a lot of panic and anxiety for those families.”

Those receiving WIC benefits should continue using their eWIC cards to shop for healthy food and to keep their regular clinic appointments. WIC retail partners across the state also have been assured that funding is secure and they should continue to accept eWIC payments,” said a press release from the Colorado Department of Health and Environment.

Forty-two million Americans receive food stamps from the federal government. Seven million of these are WIC beneficiaries. You can find your local WIC office at the Colorado WIC website.

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