WIC During COVID-19: Participation and Benefit Redemption Since the Onset of the Pandemic

WIC is an important resource for families with young children during the COVID-19 pandemic. WIC waivers and enhancements during the pandemic have simultaneously removed access barriers and increased the value of participating in WIC, resulting in overall increases in program participation. In February 2022, WIC reached 6.2 million participants, a 1.2 percent increase from February 2020.

Despite overall modest growth, WIC is still reaching too few eligible people. To widen WIC’s reach, it is important to act on lessons learned during the pandemic by making permanent the enhancements that have strengthened and improved access for families with young children.

Learn more in the Food Research Action Council’s (FRAC) latest report, WIC During COVID-19: Participation and Benefit Redemption Since the Onset of the Pandemic.