State agencies would have to cut WIC enrollment by 28 percent, or nearly 2 million women and children, by next September if Congress fails to fully fund the program, said the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities on Tuesday. “WIC needs $1 billion” due to higher food costs and rising enrollment, said Sharon Parrott, the think tank’s president.
Congress has given temporary “spend faster” authority to states to meet the higher caseload while it works on a long-term USDA funding plan. Stopgap funding expires on Jan. 19. WIC is funded through the USDA and administered by the states.
During a teleconference, Center on Budget analysts said states would have to reduce WIC participation if additional funding is not provided—by putting people on waiting lists for benefits and by denying renewal of benefits to people already enrolled. The reductions would accumulate slowly. “We estimate by July, WIC would be able to serve 1.5 million fewer people nationwide” than if full funding was provided, said a Center on Budget analysis. “By September, this number would grow to about 2 million, a 28-percent cut.”
The largest reductions would be in Texas, with 227,000 people; Florida, 126,000; and New York State, 124,000, according to the think tank.
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children cost $6.6 billion last year and provided supplemental food and healthcare referrals to 6.57 million low-income pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, infants, and children up to age five.