DEVELOPING: Federal Shutdown Threatens Nutrition Aid for Millions of New Parents

Federal Shutdown Threatens Nutrition Aid for Millions of New Parents A federal shutdown could soon impact nutrition assistance for millions of pregnant women and new parents, including those in need of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). The program provides crucial support to families like Lucia Graves', who rely on it to afford healthy food. Lucia Graves, a single mother from Lebanon, New Hampshire, was eligible for WIC benefits after her daughter's premature birth in 2020. She credits the program with helping her family eat healthier during a difficult time. "It was a big relief when I found out I qualified," she says. The federal shutdown will not affect major programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. However, nutrition assistance for millions of families is at risk. The exact timeline for potential disruptions is unclear, but experts warn that WIC benefits could be impacted within days or weeks. This is a developing story as the government shutdown continues to unfold. We will provide updates as more information becomes available. *This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available. Based on reporting from Npr.*