Why Do WIC Participants Fail to Pick Up Their Checks? An Urban Study in the Wake of Welfare Reform

Abstract

This study explored whether work or immigration concerns affect women's participation in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). The sample included women who had withdrawn from the WIC program and current WIC clients from 1 center in New York City. Logistic regression analyses were used to predict noncollection of checks; demographic characteristics, program participation, and problems with the WIC program were independent variables. Strong predictors of noncollection of checks were job conflicts, transportation or illness problems, and WIC receipt by the woman herself (rather than by her children). Employment conflicts were related to failure to pick up WIC checks; immigration concerns were not. As a means of enhancing WIC participation, flexibility is recommended in terms of center hours, locations, and staffing and program check distribution policies.