In this report we evaluate methods currently used to estimate eligibility and participation for WIC and examine alternatives to current methods. We outline different methodological options and include recommendations for new approaches to the various components of the estimation methodology. The panel considered several factors for evaluating alternatives:

• The accuracy of the estimates.
• The feasibility of implementing an approach (e.g., the expense and burden of implementing an approach).
• The quality, availability, and timeliness of data used by an approach.
• Correspondence of the method with current WIC rules and their application at the local level. For example, adjunctive eligibility is part of the rules of the program, and methods for estimating eligibility should account for it.

Contents

• THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES
• PANEL TO EVALUATE THE USDA'S METHODOLOGY FOR ESTIMATING ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION FOR THE WIC PROGRAM
• COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL STATISTICS 2002–2003
• Acknowledgments
• Executive Summary
• 1. Introduction
  • PANEL CHARGE
  • TIMELINE OF PANEL WORK
  • PLAN OF THE REPORT
• 2. Overview of WIC and the Current Estimation Methodology
  • PURPOSES OF ESTIMATING ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION
  • WIC ELIGIBILITY
  • SUMMARY
• 3. Accuracy and Sources of Errors
  • ACCURACY OF THE USDA METHODOLOGY
  • SOURCES OF ERROR
  • EVALUATING CURRENT AND ALTERNATIVE METHODS FOR ESTIMATING ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION
  • SUMMARY
• 4. Categorical Eligibility of Infants and Children
  • EXPLANATION FOR THE UNDERCOUNT OF INFANTS
  • ADJUSTMENT PROCEDURE TO IMPROVE THE ACCURACY OF THE COUNTS OF INFANTS AND CHILDREN
  • SIPP-BASED ESTIMATES OF THE NUMBERS OF INFANTS AND CHILDREN
  • SUMMARY
• 5. Income and Adjunctive Eligibility of Infants and Children
  • INCOME AND ADJUNCTIVE ELIGIBILITY RULES
  • IMPACT OF MONTHLY INCOME AND ADJUNCTIVE ELIGIBILITY
  • SUMMARY
• 6. Estimation of the Number of Income-Eligible Pregnant and Postpartum Women
  • PREGNANT WOMEN
  • POSTPARTUM WOMEN
  • SIPP-BASED ESTIMATES OF PREGNANT AND POSTPARTUM WOMEN
  • SUMMARY
• 7. Estimating Eligibility Based on Meeting Nutritional Risk Criteria
  • CRITIQUE OF CURRENT METHOD
  • POSSIBLE METHODS TO ESTIMATE NUTRITIONAL RISK
  • COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS OF ASSESSING THE DIETARY RISK OF WIC APPLICANTS FOR DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY
  • SUMMARY
• 8. Estimating WIC Participation Among Eligible People
  • DATA SOURCES TO ESTIMATE WIC PARTICIPATION AMONG ELIGIBLE PEOPLE
  • WIC PARTICIPATION AMONG ELIGIBLE PEOPLE
  • FACTORS CORRELATED WITH WIC PARTICIPATION
  • SUMMARY
• 9. Options for Estimating Eligibility and Participation
  • ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FOR PREDICTING ELIGIBILITY
  • PREDICTING WIC FULL-FUNDING PARTICIPATION
  • SUMMARY
• 10. Summary
  • ESTIMATING ELIGIBILITY
  • ESTIMATING FULL-FUNDING PARTICIPATION
• References
• APPENDIX A Data Sources and Coverage Issues
• APPENDIX B Nutritional Screening and Budget Estimates
• APPENDIX C Reconciling Different Estimates of Income and Adjunctive Eligibility
• APPENDIX D Biographical Sketches of Panel Members and Staff

NOTICE: The project that is the subject of this report was approved by the Governing Board of the National Research Council, whose members are drawn from the councils of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine. The members of the committee responsible for the report were chosen for their special competences and with regard for appropriate balance.

This study was supported by Contract/Grant No. 53-3198-0-012 between the National Academy of Sciences and the United States Department of Agriculture. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the organizations or agencies that provided support for the project.