DURHAM, N.H. - Fewer than half of families income-eligible for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) received the program's nutrition benefits in 2014, according to new research from the Carsey School of Public Policy at the University of New Hampshire. Among eligible families, receipt of WIC benefits was more likely among families where the head of household was poorer, less educated, non-white, unmarried or unemployed. In addition, participation in WIC was greater in rural than urban areas.

"This analysis shows that families most in need of WIC assistance are more likely to receive it," said Kristin Smith, a family demographer at the Carsey School. "Among those eligible for but not receiving WIC benefits are families living above the official poverty line but below 185 percent of poverty, a group typically considered low income and often eligible for other government programs.

Smith noted there are a number of reasons why those eligible don't participate including social stigma, lack of transportation, complicated paperwork and missed work.
"WIC is an important safety net program that successfully provides nutritious foods, nutrition counseling, breastfeeding support and health care referrals, and it has a proven record of improving health outcomes, cognitive development and educational attainment for children," she said. "Expanding the reach of WIC to all eligible families could benefit families struggling to make ends meet."

The complete report is available at https://carsey.unh.edu/publication/half-wic-families-receive-benefits.

The Carsey School of Public Policy is nationally recognized for its research, policy education, and engagement. The school takes on the pressing issues of the twenty-first century, striving for innovative, responsive, and equitable solutions.

The University of New Hampshire, founded in 1866, is a world-class public research university with the feel of a New England liberal arts college. A land, sea, and space-grant university, UNH is the state's flagship public institution, enrolling 13,000 undergraduate and 2,500 graduate students.