Participation in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (or WIC program) fell sharply and rapidly between October 2025 and February 2026, resulting in nearly a quarter of a million fewer individuals receiving the benefit. The loss of this resource increases parents’ stress by destabilizing families’ budgets, worsening short- and long-term outcomes for children. Declines in WIC participation are especially concerning in light of sharp and continuing decreases in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, often called food stamps) participation affecting both adults and children, alongside anticipated challenges to Medicaid participation in many states that will follow in early 2027.
WIC Participation Declines Leave Vulnerable Families More Exposed as Congress Targets Fruit and Vegetable Benefits
- Post author National Center for Children in Poverty
- Project Improving Family Economic Security Through Evidence-Based State Policy Reforms;
- Publication Type Report
- Post date July 24, 2026