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RALEIGH, N.C. — Due to the government shutdown, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, also known as WIC, will discontinue issuing benefits starting at the close of business on Tuesday.

DHHS has determined that federal WIC funds available to the state will be sufficient to cover WIC vouchers already issued for the month of October, but not sufficient to issue additional vouchers.

Eighty percent of eligible clients already have been issued food benefits for the month of October.

DHHS advises WIC clients to keep their nutrition appointments and continue redeeming October vouchers and WIC vendors should continue normal operations to accept existing vouchers.

The Department will continue to monitor the daily availability of federal funds and will announce changes if they become necessary.

DHHS encourages families impacted by this change to apply for North Carolina’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as food stamps.

While some staff furloughs may be necessary in order to sustain essential program operations as long as possible, DHHS is working with the federal government to identify federal funding to keep local WIC clinics open.

During this time, WIC staff will continue to support clients by providing nutrition education and referrals to local resources.