How is the Administration paying the military and WIC? Genius

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Military Pay During the Shutdown

As of October 15, 2025, the U.S. federal government is in its second week of a partial shutdown, which began on October 1 after Congress failed to pass a continuing resolution or full-year appropriations for fiscal year 2026. Active-duty military personnel (over 2 million) and certain National Guard and reserve members on active duty continue to work without interruption, as their roles are deemed essential to national security. However, without new funding, their pay is not automatically guaranteed under annual appropriations.

The Trump administration has addressed this by directing the Department of Defense (DoD) to reallocate approximately $8 billion from existing funds—specifically, unused research, development, and testing allocations from prior fiscal years—to cover the October 15 payday. This ensures troops receive their full paychecks on time, with an average biweekly payout of about $7.4 billion across all branches.

The Pentagon confirmed this move in a statement, noting it prevents any missed paychecks. While some legal experts question whether this complies with the Antideficiency Act (which prohibits spending unappropriated funds), there has been no immediate challenge, and service members are expected to receive back pay for any subsequent periods once the shutdown ends.

Civilian DoD employees (about 741,000 total) are split: roughly 335,000 are furloughed without pay, while 182,000 “excepted” workers continue operations but face delayed pay until retroactive funding is approved. Organizations like the National Military Family Association recommend families prepare for potential delays beyond October 15 and utilize no-interest loans from institutions like Navy Federal Credit Union or USAA if needed.

WIC Funding During the Shutdown

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), which serves about 6 million low-income pregnant women, new mothers, and young children with nutritious foods, nutrition education, and health referrals, relies on annual USDA appropriations. The shutdown’s timing at the fiscal year’s start left the program with limited runway, as its $150 million contingency fund (including prior-year leftovers and infant formula rebates) was projected to last only about two weeks.

To prevent disruptions, the Trump administration provided a $300 million temporary infusion on October 10, sourced from tariff revenues reallocated via USDA authorities. This “creative solution,” as described by White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt, allows states to continue issuing benefits and enrolling families without interruption through at least the end of October. States like Alaska, Washington, California, and Connecticut have confirmed their WIC offices remain open, appointments are proceeding, and EBT cards work normally for approved foods (e.g., milk, eggs, fruits, and vegetables). For instance, California WIC explicitly states families can shop as usual and receive text reminders for appointments.

Historically, states can use their own general funds to bridge gaps, with federal reimbursement once the shutdown resolves, but the infusion reduces this burden. Experts from the Food Research & Action Center and National WIC Association warn that without a resolution, funds could deplete by late October, potentially forcing triage in enrollment or benefits. Affected federal employees (e.g., pregnant workers) may now qualify for WIC due to income impacts from furloughs. Congress is urged to prioritize WIC in any funding bill, given its proven benefits in reducing healthcare costs and improving child outcomes.