FRAC Chat

Published July 10, 2025 (Updated July 11, 2025)

Currently, the budget process for fiscal year 2026 is in full swing. We have budget proposals from the White House, House, and Senate. As a discretionary program the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is set through this appropriations process each year. Traditionally, WIC has received the funding needed to serve any eligible people who apply, however, not all of the proposed budget includes the needed funding.  

Senate Bill 

On July 10th the Senate Appropriations Committee advanced its Fiscal Year 2026 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Regulated Agencies funding bill. Unlike the budget proposals from the White House and House, this Senate version upholds the 30 year commitment to fully funding WIC and does so without any cuts to benefits. The Senate Committee unanimously agreed on funding WIC at $8.2 billion, an estimated $500 million increase from fiscal year 2025 to meet the expected increase in participation for WIC. Additionally, the Senate bill does not cut the highly popular cash value benefit (CVB) that allows WIC participants to purchase fruits and vegetables.   

By supporting and strengthening WIC, the Senate Appropriations Committee shows their commitment to improving maternal and child health and reducing hunger.  

House Bill 

On Monday, June 23, the House Appropriations Committee voted to approve it’s own Fiscal Year 2026 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Bill. This bill includes insufficient funding for WIC and reduces the WIC CVB which cuts fruit and vegetable purchases by 10 percent.  

Overall Funding  

While the House bill provides the same level of funding for WIC in fiscal year 2026 as it did in fiscal year 2025, it is unlikely that the amount will be enough to cover the number of eligible people who apply for the program. WIC continues to see participation rates increase, making it likely more people will apply for the program in the future.   

WIC Cash Value Benefit  

While the House bill does not cut the CVB to the level that the White House proposed, Subcommittee Chairman Andy Harris (R-MD) made clear in his remarks at the markup that the House-proposed reduction was the first step to return the CVB to pre-pandemic levels. Such cuts would harm the nutrition and health of WIC participants, especially at a time when food costs continue to soar.  An amendment from Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) to reinstate the CVB to levels consistent with recommendations from the National Academies of Sciences was not approved by the committee.  

Through four key areas of service, WIC provides nutritious foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and health care referrals for nutritionally at-risk infants, children up to 5 years old, and pregnant and postpartum individuals from households with low incomes. The CVB allows WIC participants to purchase fresh, frozen, canned, or dried fruits and vegetables. The CVB is different from other components of the WIC food packages as it has a specific cash value, allowing participants to choose the fruits and vegetables that meet their family’s needs and preferences. Over time, the CVB has been increased to better meet the nutritional needs of WIC families, rising food costs, and science-based recommendations.   

CVB Timeline 

*The White House proposal takes the pre-pandemic amounts and increases them due to inflation. 

Protect WIC   

WIC is a critical program that supports the health and well-being of pregnant and postpartum individuals, infants, and young children.  We must ensure these nutrition benefits stay strong and that the program has the funding needed to serve all eligible individuals who apply.   

Any delays in receiving WIC benefits – or cuts to them – would be harmful to the women and children who participate in the program.  

Congress must continue its longstanding bipartisan commitment to fully fund WIC at a level meant to guarantee that the program meets the needs of eligible participants Congress must also maintain the cash value benefit at the recommended level — to ensure a strong future for WIC and our nation’s babies and young children.