WIC eligibility and participation

Marianne P. Bitler, Janet Currie, John Karl Scholz

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

106 Scopus citations

Abstract

We examine WIC eligibility and participation using the Current Population Survey (CPS), the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP), and state-level administrative data. Comparisons suggest significant undercounts in CPS and SIPP, although characteristics of WIC participants are similar to those in administrative data. This suggests that the undercount is approximately random, at least with respect to observables. WIC take-up is lower for children aged one to four, suggesting substantial scope for expanding participation by eligibles. States with stricter WIC-eligibility rules have lower participation, but a striking degree of state-to-state variation in participation rates remains unexplained.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1176-1179
Number of pages4
JournalJournal of Human Resources
Volume38
Issue numberSUPPLEMENT
DOIs
StatePublished - 2003
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Economics and Econometrics
  • Strategy and Management
  • Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management
  • Management of Technology and Innovation

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