The Department of Public Health and Social Services announced Wednesday that Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program redemptions are temporarily paused beginning Oct. 1 due to the federal government shutdown. While WIC clinics will remain open for nutrition education and support services, vendors cannot process transactions and participants are unable to redeem benefits until funding is restored.
To assist families during the disruption, the Division of Homelessness Assistance and Poverty Prevention will distribute food commodities at the Tiyan WIC Clinic in Barrigada. Distribution will take place Thursday, Oct. 2, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., and Friday, Oct. 3, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Families already receiving food commodities through their village mayor’s office are encouraged to continue using that resource to avoid duplication.
DPHSS Director Theresa C. Arriola said the agency is taking steps to ensure children and mothers continue to receive support. “Although the federal budget process is outside of our control, DPHSS is taking proactive steps to support WIC families,” Arriola said. “We are providing food commodities to enrolled WIC families who are affected, so that mothers and children continue to have access to healthy nutrition during this period of uncertainty.”
Officials emphasized the disruption is temporary and updates will be provided once federal funds are released. Families seeking more information may contact the Guam WIC Vendor Management Unit at (671) 475-0300 or email michael.gallo@dphss.guam.gov