An update on the government shutdown’s impact on WIC program funding in Iowa.

The congressional stalemate shut down the Women Infants and Children program on October 1st, but there is hope for those who have not yet received their October assistance.

According to the Iowa Department of Public Health, the WIC fiscal year starts on October 1st and states are required to return unused money from the previous year by September 30th.  However, the U.S. Department of Agriculture will be returning that money back to the state public health departments so that food checks may be printed.

This only applies to those on the WIC program that have not yet received checks dated for October.  The hope is that the government shut down will end before November and funding will be available at that time to print additional checks.

WIC employees will be contacting individuals to inform participants how to receive their checks.

Anyone with questions can contact the local agency that handles the WIC program.  In Guthrie County, call New Opportunities at 641-747-3845.