The New Jersey Department of Health confirmed today that funding for the state’s Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program will continue without interruption through for at least one more month, through November 2025, despite concerns about potential impacts from the ongoing federal government shutdown.

According to the Department, projections based on normal spending patterns show that WIC benefits and services — including access to nutritious foods, breastfeeding support, and other essential health resources — will remain fully funded through at least next November.

“Access to nutritious foods, breastfeeding support, and other health resources and services is essential to the well-being of women, infants, and children,” the Department said in a statement. “We will continue to explore every option available to ensure eligible families and children continue to have access to nutritious foods should the federal shutdown extend beyond November. Our commitment to promoting healthy families and strong communities remains unwavering.”

However, SNAP benefit replenishment is expected to be halted beginning tonight, but SNAP recipients can still access any remaining balances from previous months. Households that receive New Jersey’s supplemental benefit, which raises monthly SNAP payments to a $95 minimum, will continue to receive that support next month.

Yesterday, Governor Phil Murphy announced that the state will accelerate $42.5 million in food and hunger grants to Emergency Food Organizations (EFOs) already allocated in the Fiscal Year 2026 budget to help food banks prepare for a sharp increase in demand as more than 800,000 New Jersey residents face the loss of monthly food assistance.

The WIC program provides nutritional support, education, and healthcare referrals to low-income pregnant and postpartum women, infants, and young children.  Nearly 165,000 women and children statewide depend on WIC supplements.

The ongoing federal shutdown, now stretching into its fifth week, has disrupted funding for a range of programs and services, raising concerns among state officials and advocacy groups about the impact on vulnerable residents.