The Lifeline Millions Depend On
In a nation as resource-rich as the United States, it’s easy to assume every child has access to nutritious food and basic healthcare support. But for more than 6.6 million low-income women, infants, and children, that assumption wouldn’t hold true without the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children—better known as WIC. Administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), WIC has been a cornerstone of maternal and child health since 1974, delivering nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and monthly benefits for healthy food.
Now, this critical program faces serious funding threats, leaving millions of families at risk of losing support that, for many, keeps food on the table and children on track for healthy development. At Feed America, we recognize that food insecurity doesn’t only affect families—it affects futures. Ensuring WIC’s stability is essential to protecting our nation’s most vulnerable and preventing a backslide in child health and development.
What WIC Actually Offers
WIC is often misunderstood as a simple food voucher program. In reality, it provides a comprehensive support systemfor pregnant and postpartum women, infants, and children up to age five. Participants receive:
Research consistently shows that children who participate in WIC have fewer hospitalizations, higher nutrient intake, and are less likely to be underweight or overweight than those who do not. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the program is also a key driver in reducing iron-deficiency anemia in children—an issue tied to impaired cognitive development.
Why the Timing Couldn’t Be Worse
WIC’s role is more crucial now than ever. Food prices have remained stubbornly high due to inflation, while rent and healthcare costs continue to climb. Many working families, especially those with young children, are finding it nearly impossible to keep up. Recent data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 2023 Food Security Report revealed that over 13 million U.S. households experienced food insecurity last year—a 31% increase from the year prior.
These challenges are compounded in communities of color and rural regions, where access to healthy food is already limited. For countless families, WIC serves as the nutritional safety net that fills the gap between insufficient wages and growing grocery bills.
The Current Crisis — Budget Threats & Systemic Risks
A Budget on the Brink
Despite its proven success, WIC is facing an unprecedented funding crisis. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, the program is on track to experience a shortfall unless Congress fully funds it for the upcoming fiscal year. In a recent update, the USDA confirmed that without additional appropriations, states could be forced to implement waitlists—an action that hasn’t occurred in nearly 30 years.
This looming crisis is not theoretical. A potential government shutdown in late 2023 already caused panic, as NPR reported that millions of women and children were at risk of losing access to food assistance within days. Though a shutdown was averted, the threat highlighted how vulnerable this program is to political gridlock.
With inflation still impacting household budgets and economic recovery uneven across communities, cutting or delaying WIC funding now would deepen hardship for those already struggling the most.
Who Will Be Impacted?
WIC primarily serves pregnant and postpartum women, infants, and children under five—the age range most sensitive to nutritional deficiencies. The USDA’s WIC Data Tables show that nearly half of all infants born in the United States are served by WIC. Losing access to this program could have dire consequences:
The impact is even greater in underserved communities. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, WIC participation is disproportionately high among BIPOC and immigrant families—groups already facing systemic barriers to healthcare and food access.
When the System Fails
If WIC benefits are reduced or delayed, families are left with few options. Many will be forced to choose between buying formula or paying rent, stretching food benefits past safe limits, or turning to emergency food services that are already overwhelmed.
Studies from the National Institutes of Health show that early childhood malnutrition can have long-term effects on brain development, learning capacity, and physical health. The cost of underfunding WIC isn’t just immediate—it ripples into the future in the form of lower educational achievement, increased healthcare spending, and lost economic potential.
In short, pulling support from WIC doesn’t save money. It shifts the burden downstream, where it becomes more expensive—and more painful.
Solutions, Advocacy, and a Path Forward
Fully Fund WIC—Now
The clearest solution is also the most urgent: Congress must fully fund WIC to meet current demand. As outlined in the USDA’s own 2024 budget justification, the program requires increased investment due to inflation, rising food costs, and expanded access through state outreach efforts. Without swift legislative action, state agencies may be forced to cap enrollment or reduce benefits, putting families in an impossible position.
In addition to adequate funding, there’s a growing push to modernize WIC delivery systems. Many states are transitioning from paper vouchers to eWIC, and pilot programs using mobile apps are already improving user experience. According to the National WIC Association, digital access and streamlined enrollment could dramatically boost participation—especially among young parents juggling work, childcare, and transportation barriers.
Breaking Down Barriers
Even in a fully funded system, WIC’s effectiveness depends on removing the barriers that keep eligible families from applying. It’s estimated that 1 in 3 eligible individuals don’t enroll in WIC, often due to:
To address this, more investment is needed in community-based education campaigns, bilingual application support, and outreach through trusted local institutions. These steps can help ensure that every eligible family has the opportunity to access the nutrition and support they need to thrive.
Looking Ahead with Purpose
WIC has proven time and again that it works. From improving birth outcomes to increasing fruit and vegetable intakeand reducing childhood obesity, the data is clear: WIC is one of the most effective, evidence-based public health interventions in the country.
As families across the nation continue to face economic strain and rising food costs, programs like WIC aren’t luxuries—they are lifelines. At Feed America, we stand behind the belief that every child deserves a healthy start, and that begins with proper nutrition, accessible support, and a safety net that’s protected—not politicized.
Supporting WIC today isn’t just an investment in food. It’s an investment in the health, stability, and potential of our future generations.
