WIC program funded through end of the month

The administration of the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) nutrition program will continue through the end of October in Washington and Idaho despite the federal government shutdown, according to state agencies. Surplus money for the program, which provides vouchers and nutritional education to low-income mothers and their children, will enable offices to continue rendering services through the end of the month to the more than 43,000 people who receive benefits in Idaho. The Spokane Regional Health District confirmed later Thursday that the U.S. Department of Agriculture had approved funding for the services nationally through October out of reserve funds. Spokane Regional Health warned a shutdown lasting longer than a month could affect services in November, and the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare said a prolonged shutdown could force the closure of some offices. But vouchers will continue to be honored until that point.