TOPEKA — There’s good news for WIC recipients in Kansas.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment said Thursday it had received additional federal funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to keep the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children operational into March. At the time the federal government was still shutdown. As of Friday afternoon, President Donald Trump announced a temporary deal to keep the government open until Feb. 15 while negotiations continue on funding for a border wall.
KDHE received just over $1.6 million in food funds and nearly $603,000 in administrative funds. These funds allow Kansas to purchase foods until March 20 and keep staff operational until March 26.
The USDA monitors state WIC programs and is working to ensure that programs remain operational. States were instructed to contact the USDA prior to implementing any changes to the program that would curtail operations or in any way limit or restrict access to the program and its benefits.