With The Government Closed, WIC Remains Open

One of the Federal programs serving low income women is known as the WIC programs.  "The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides Federal grants to States for supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age five who are found to be at nutritional risk."

A news release from the Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic points out that despite a government shutdown, WIC offices in both Washington and Oregon will remain open and funded through March. Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic encourages families to continue to make and keep their WIC appointments, and use their benefits as they normally would.

"WIC benefits (eWIC cards and vouchers) can still be used at any authorized

“We would like families to know that WIC remains open through March in Washington and Oregon,” said Heather Elmore, Director of Nutrition Services at Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic. “After that point we will make all efforts to continue to serve the most vulnerable populations, including infants.”

In addition, furloughed government employees may be income eligible for WIC.