CONCORD, NH – The State of New Hampshire has secured additional funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to sustain Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) services amid the federal government shutdown. This funding will allow New Hampshire WIC families to continue redeeming food benefits until at least November 7.
“We have secured critical funding to continue the WIC program and ensure moms and children in our state can buy food, formula, and other critical needs,” said Governor Kelly Ayotte. “My office and DHHS are monitoring the impact of a prolonged shutdown on programs like WIC and SNAP, and we will work to ensure our most vulnerable citizens get the support they need. It is past time for our leaders in Washington to come to an agreement and open the government so we can continue to serve Granite Staters who depend on these programs.”
“This new funding ensures WIC can continue to provide New Hampshire moms and children with access to nutritious foods during the federal shutdown,” said New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Commissioner Lori Weaver. “We know how important these resources are to New Hampshire families and will continue to work with our partners to ensure WIC families have access to food benefits for as long as possible until the shutdown is resolved.”
New Hampshire WIC provides healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to community resources to pregnant women, new mothers, and children under the age of five. Women and children who are part of other programs, such as New Hampshire Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) are automatically eligible for WIC.
DHHS is closely monitoring the evolving federal situation and any impacts to planned services, including SNAP. The Department is also working with community partners across the state to limit disruptions for SNAP clients and to help connect them with resources for food assistance.
For updates on WIC services during the federal government shutdown, please visit dhhs.nh.gov/WIC.