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Columbus County DSS warns federal shutdown could suspend WIC and EBT; Medicaid rebase prompts vendor rate cuts
Summary
Columbus County Department of Social Services Director Dwelle Hall and health department staff warned the Board of Commissioners that a prolonged federal shutdown could suspend WIC and EBT benefits and that a Medicaid rebase shortfall has already forced provider-rate reductions affecting county transportation vendors.
Columbus County Department of Social Services Director Dwelle Hall and county health officials told the Board of Commissioners that a continuing federal government shutdown could force suspension of programs that serve low-income residents, including WIC and electronic benefit transfer (EBT) food benefits.
Hall said WIC funding has been extended only through the end of October by emergency USDA funds; the health department expects a three-day notice if it must suspend WIC operations. "We disperse around $1.25 to $1.5 million in WIC benefits per year," Hall said, and officials said the program would face immediate operational strain if federal funding lapses.
Hall reported that the county's crisis…
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