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Access to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) at the State and Substate Levels: Meaning and Measurement

Author

Listed:
  • Kegan O’Connor
  • Mark Prell
  • Linden McBride
  • Thomas B. Foster
  • Renuka Bhaskar
  • Maria Perez-Patron
  • Erik Vickstrom
  • Brian Knop
  • Michaela Dillon

Abstract

This study estimates eligibility and access rates for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) administrative data linked with American Community Survey (ACS) data. This study is one result of a long-term research collaboration among USDA’s Economic Research Service; the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census; USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS); and participating state WIC agencies. By analyzing WIC participation at the state and substate levels, the report provides insights into program reach and demographic differences. The findings confirm that the Census Bureau estimates meet high statistical reliability standards, providing valuable data for program officials and managers, and other stakeholders, to enhance program outreach and effectiveness. A key focus of the report is the comparison between Census Bureau and USDA, FNS estimates, which differ in methodology and measurement scope.

Suggested Citation

  • Kegan O’Connor & Mark Prell & Linden McBride & Thomas B. Foster & Renuka Bhaskar & Maria Perez-Patron & Erik Vickstrom & Brian Knop & Michaela Dillon, 2026. "Access to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) at the State and Substate Levels: Meaning and Measurement," Working Papers 26-44, Center for Economic Studies, U.S. Census Bureau.
    • Handle: RePEc:cen:wpaper:26-44
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jones, Jordan & Toossi, Saied & Hodges, Leslie, . "The Food and Nutrition Assistance Landscape: Fiscal Year 2021 Annual Report," Amber Waves:The Economics of Food, Farming, Natural Resources, and Rural America, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, vol. 2022(Economic ).
    2. Bruce Meyer & Robert Goerge, 2011. "Errors in Survey Reporting and Imputation and Their Effects on Estimates of Food Stamp Program Participation," Working Papers 11-14, Center for Economic Studies, U.S. Census Bureau.
    3. Bruce D. Meyer & Wallace K. C. Mok & James X. Sullivan, 2015. "Household Surveys in Crisis," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 29(4), pages 199-226, Fall.
    4. Jacknowitz, Alison & Tiehen, Laura, 2010. "WIC Participation Patterns: An Investigation of Delayed Entry and Early Exit," Economic Research Report 102759, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
    5. Meyer, Bruce D. & Goerge, Robert M., 2011. "Errors in Survey Reporting and Imputation and Their Effects on Estimates of Food Stamp Program Participation," Contractor and Cooperator Reports 312394, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
    6. Toossi, Saied & Jones, Jordan W., 2023. "The Food and Nutrition Assistance Landscape: Fiscal Year 2022 Annual Report," Economic Information Bulletin 337564, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
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