Kansas WIC Program Hit By Shutdown

Kansas officials are notifying county health clinics that a program providing cash subsidies to women and children will cease issuing checks later this month because of the federal government shutdown.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment says Wednesday that because of uncertain funding checks won’t be issued for November or December through the federal Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women Infants and Children, commonly known as WIC.

The program supplies low-income women with checks or debit cards that can be used for infant formula and cereal, fruits and vegetables, dairy items and other healthy food. WIC also provides breast-feeding support and nutrition classes. Low-income women with children under 5 are eligible.

KDHE says WIC serves 70,000 residents each month through contracts with county health departments.