In a small Miami apartment, baby bottles line the counter like a row of defenses against hunger. Sofia Ramirez, 28, swipes her WIC card for baby formula and a bag of apples.
“This breather is everything,” she says. “Last week, I was rationing milk, thinking we’d run dry.”
Sofia is one of 6.7 million mothers and children saved from losing support this month after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) redirected $300 million in tariff money to keep the WIC program running during the ongoing federal shutdown.
The Trump administration used surplus import tariff revenues to plug WIC’s budget gap, a first-of-its-kind move that keeps vouchers for milk, eggs, fruits, and formula flowing through October.
“This infusion ensures WIC continues uninterrupted,” a USDA spokesperson told AP News.
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The redirection covers part of WIC’s $7.6 billion annual budget, drawn from tariffs on imported steel and aluminum.
In Florida, where Sofia lives, more than 200,000 mothers and children rely on WIC benefits. The funding buys time until November 1, when new federal dollars will be needed again.
Sofia earns about $2,200 a month and uses her $60 WIC voucher to stretch her grocery money.
“Without it, it’s powdered milk or nothing,” she says.
Many mothers share that strain. A Feeding America report found families cutting meal portions as food prices rise.
The USDA’s quick fix, verified by PolitiFact, stopped stores from turning away WIC users this month. But experts warn the relief is temporary. The 2026 WIC budget, projected at $7.7 billion, still needs congressional approval. A prolonged shutdown could reduce participation, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP).
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State-by-State Impact
| State | Enrollees | Monthly Aid at Risk | November Concern |
| National | 6.7M | $600M | Participation drop |
| Florida | 200K+ | $18M | Access strains |
| California | 1M | $90M | Renewal delays |
| New York | 400K | $36M | Urban gaps |
| Texas | 800K | $72M | Border strains |
Sources: USDA, CBPP; inflation data via USDA CPI reports.
Florida’s Department of Health says it’s working to maintain benefits if the shutdown continues. But for Sofia, worry lingers.
“Formula doesn’t wait for Congress,” she says.
Nationwide, 1 in 6 infants depends on WIC. The USDA estimates the program saves $2.48 in health costs for every $1 invested.
While core benefits are safe for now, renewal delays and staff shortages are slowing service in some states, according to The Guardian.
The $300 million tariff fix offers short-term relief, but November could bring a funding cliff. Advocates are urging Congress to pass a continuing resolution this week to keep food aid flowing.
“Grateful for October,” Sofia says, “but November’s a cliff.”
For now, families are advised to:
- Check their state WIC websites for updates
- Stock up early on essentials
- Call 211 for help finding local food programs
The tariff redirect shows creativity, but for millions of mothers like Sofia, the real solution lies in long-term funding stability.
