Recorded presentation

Victoria Lazariu-Bauer, PhD and Mary Lou Woelfel, MA. Division of Nutrition, Evaluation and Analysis Unit, New York State Department of Health, 150 Broadway, Riverview Center, Fl 6 West, Albany, NY 12204, 518 4027302, vgl01@health.state.ny.us

Estimation of the size of population eligible for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC) is critical to program funding levels and to targeting resources in areas in need of WIC services. At the federal level, estimates affect the level of funding and the allocation of resources to each state. Similarly, in NYS, estimates are central to allocation of funds to local WIC providers. Estimates of WIC eligibles produced by USDA were lower than the number of people served. Responding to congressional concerns that some persons served may not be eligible, USDA convened an independent panel of experts to review its methodology. The panel’s critique is summarized in Eligibility and Participation for the WIC Program Phase I Report. The report concluded that USDA underestimated the number of eligibles. Based largely on this critique, NYS re-estimated NYS WIC eligibles which resulted in 105 percent more people eligible above the number of people served. The purpose of this paper is to compare and contrast the methodology used in NYS with the methodology described in Phase II Report from the Panel to Evaluate the USDA’s Methodology for Estimating Eligibility and Participation for the WIC Program.

Learning Objectives:

After this presentation, the attendees will be able to (
• identify data sources and adjustment factors required to accurately estimate persons eligible for a large public health food assistance and nutrition program, (
• describe a methodology for estimation of numbers of people eligible for WIC services, (
• list the eligibility requirements for WIC program and the services provided to participants.

Keywords: Poverty, WIC

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation