Govt. shutdown cuts funding to Delaware WIC program

The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services has enough money to fund the state’s WIC program for just one week.

DHSS Spokeswoman Jill Fredel said yesterday’s government shutdown cut off funding to the program which provides food assistance to approximately 20,000 Delaware women, infants and children.

“We were able to get together some funding from different sources and we were able to extend the program for about a week,” said Fredel.

Each year, the state receives approximately $11 million in food funds and $5 million in administration funds, according to the Division of Public Health.

If the shutdown goes longer than a week, Fredel said they’ll have to look for alternative ways to keep the funds flowing.

“There are some contingency plans if this goes over a week, said Fredel. “Our first hope is that they settle this in Washington and we don’t have to worry about it, but if it goes beyond a week, everyone will be getting their pencils out to see where we can find some extra money.”

The department maintains that the program will remain open in its entirety until further notice and will continue to to honor all existing vouchers, accept new clients, and issue new vouchers.