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Lots Of Women And Children Are Eligible For Food And Nutrition Benefits, But Aren't Signing Up
WIC parents receive a special card for buying food.
(
Mariana Dale
/
LAist
)
Topline:
A new report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture finds that many people who are eligible for the Women, Infants and Children program are missing out on those benefits.
Remind me what WIC does? WIC is the federal program that provides food, infant formula, and breastfeeding support to low-income pregnant people, infants, and children under 5 years old. It provided a major boost to families during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
What are the numbers? USDA data from 2021 shows that California had more than 1.4 million eligible women and children, but only two-thirds of those eligible are participating. Nationwide, only 51% of those who are eligible enrolled in the program.
Participation is rising though: Officials say preliminary data from 2022 and 2023 is promising. The White House has called for increased funding for the program. The USDA says without fully funding WIC, eligible families could be placed on waitlists.
How do I find out if I'm WIC eligible? If you receive Medi-Cal, food stamps, or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, you automatically meet the income eligibility requirement. Here's more information.
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