State programs for low-income families intensify coordination to expand access to essential health, nutrition and support services to families in need
The growing collaboration between the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is helping more low-income families with young children access the services they need to stay healthy.
This joint effort, documented by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) in a report updated during 2023-2024, underscores the importance of enrolling a greater proportion of Medicaid and SNAP participants in WIC to support healthier pregnancies, improve birth outcomes, and promote infant cognitive development.
WIC provides nutritious foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to health and social services to low-income pregnant and postpartum women, infants, and children under age 5. Despite the fact that only 51.2% of eligible individuals were enrolled in WIC in 2021, research shows that the program significantly improves the health and developmental outcomes of its participants.
Although Medicaid and SNAP enrollees are automatically eligible for WIC, many do not participate. CBPP data reveal that more than half of Medicaid and SNAP enrollees who are eligible for WIC do not participate in the program. Only 16.9% of eligible pregnant individuals and 41.1% of children ages 1-4 enrolled in Medicaid participate in WIC. In SNAP, these percentages are similar, with 12.9% of pregnant women and 42.6% of eligible children participating in WIC.
The integration of these programs seeks to reduce racial disparities and improve the overall health and well-being of low-income families. State WIC agencies are actively working to increase collaboration with Medicaid and SNAP, simplifying eligibility and promoting enrollment in WIC to maximize the benefits of these essential programs.