Some states could start turning away or waitlisting eligible applicants from a federal program intended to assist low-income pregnant women, mothers and children in getting access to food and nutrition services.

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, also known as WIC, is facing a $1 billion budget shortfall, and Congress has until March to secure funding.

Stephanie Bess, associate director of the Office of Family Wellness and WIC lead at the Illinois Department of Human Services, said not getting increased funding from Congress would effectively be a budget cut due to increases in caseload, food costs and staff costs.

Illinois would need about $24 million in additional funding for the 2024 fiscal year to serve its eligible population, according to an IDHS spokesperson.

One of the most critical cuts to services would be food benefits, specifically, fresh, frozen or canned fruits and vegetables for children under 5 years old. That amount in benefits could decrease from the current $25 per month to $9 per month, Bess said.

“We have a lot of work to do, to do outreach and grow our caseload, and right now we’re just waiting to see if the funding will support it,” Bess said.

Ruby Ferguson, senior director of strategic relationships and community partnerships at the Greater Chicago Food Depository, said the WIC program helps set a foundation for success in the future and transforming health in the U.S.

“It’s helping families with children up through 5 years of age, which we know is a critical time for development,” Ferguson said. “Not having these billion dollars to continue that programming could greatly impact the outcomes of our future generation.”

Contact Eunice Alpasan: @eunicealpasan | 773-509-5362 | [email protected]