Timing of government shutdown puts West Virginia WIC services at risk

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WBOY) – The government shutdown looms for a sixth day after Congress failed to reach an agreement again on Monday, and for some services that are operating on restricted budgets, the longer it lasts, the more likely vital services will be halted.

Most government aid services, including the Veterans Affairs Office, Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, continue operating during government shutdowns, but because the current shutdown started at the start of the fiscal year, certain services will only be available until their funding runs out.

The West Virginia Department of Health said Monday that the timing of the shutdown is putting additional strain on things like the West Virginia Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, which provides services to expecting mothers and families. The office is currently open, but it can only stay that way while there is available funding.

“Historically, West Virginia WIC has remained open for business for the full duration of government shutdowns. However, because this shutdown is at the start of the fiscal year, WIC clinics will only remain open as long as there is available funding,” the Department of Health explained.

The department said that it is exploring all possible funding options, but if the funding runs out, WIC offices will close and recipients will not be able to spend their benefits.

West Virginia WIC will continue to offer its essential services for as long as possible, the department said, and additional information will be sent to WIC recipients as it becomes available. A similar possibility looms at WIC offices across the country.

Other services that become unavailable during a government shutdown include federal parks, but West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s office secured a donation agreement to keep West Virginia’s national park sites open to the public.