BOISE, ID – As the federal government shutdown continues, Idaho’s ability to continue funding for a public assistance program for pregnant moms, new mothers and parents of young children is unclear.
Tariff revenue is funding Idaho’s Women Infants and Children, or WIC, program through October, and maybe even into November, said Idaho Department of Health and Welfare spokesperson AJ McWhorter. But the state health agency isn’t sure how it would keep funding WIC if the government shutdown lasts until November.
“We don’t have formal guidance about that at this time,” he said in emailed statements.
If the shutdown stretches into November, which is less than a week away, WIC could run out of funds, USA Today reported.
Idaho and many other states last week said they would soon stop giving out food assistance benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as SNAP or food stamps. The government shutdown is prompting the pauses.
The public assistance programs serve low-income earners. Nearly 32,000 Idahoans are on WIC, and almost 133,000 Idahoans are on SNAP, state figures show.
Public health districts in southern Idaho said last week that WIC is still open.
A spokesperson for Central District Health, which serves Ada, Boise, Elmore and Valley counties, said district officials “are closely monitoring the situation and will keep participants updated if anything changes.”
“While federal funding is a bit uncertain without a resolution to end the government shutdown, (Central District Health) plans to continue to remain open to serve our WIC clients,” spokesperson Stephanie Borders said in an emailed statement. “We will use unspent funds from last year’s grant and carryover funds (Central District Health) has from last year’s fiscal budget to pay staff salaries.”
Southwest District Health, which serves Adams, Canyon, Gem, Owyhee, Payette and Washington counties, has “been communicating to families to continue to attend their appointments and use their benefits as usual,” spokesperson Monique Evancic said in an emailed statement.
This story first appeared on Idaho Capital Sun.
