The Effects of Waiving WIC Physical Presence Requirements on Program Caseloads

W. Clay Fannin, Colleen Heflin, Leonard M. Lopoo

Social Service Review, July 2021

Colleen Heflin

Leonard M. Lopoo

Center for Policy Research

Maxwell X Lab

Public Administration, Ph.D.

Food Security

Nutrition

U.S. Health Policy

United States

Social Service Review

Colleen Heflin

Leonard M. Lopoo

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) requires applicants to visit local offices for in-person appointments. The face-to-face nature of WIC has been praised for fostering personal engagement between workers and participants, but some scholars argue that in-person requirements contribute to WIC’s low take-up rate (51 percent in 2017). Because of public health concerns during COVID-19, the federal government allowed local WIC agencies to waive in-person requirements.

Using linked primary waiver data and administrative WIC data, we implement a difference-in-differences design, comparing WIC caseloads in waiver and nonwaiver counties. We estimate that waivers increased WIC caseloads by about 11 percent, although we fail to detect effects for counties that did not offer modernized document submission options and did not allow applicants to self-attest eligibility or that only offered curbside—rather than fully remote—certification options.

Results suggest that relaxing in-person requirements can improve WIC take-up.