"It Was Actually Pretty Easy": COVID-19 Compliance Cost Reductions in the WIC Program

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Services Research
• Nutrition Assistance Programs

Background:

• Access barriers to public assistance benefits are well-documented.
• Compliance costs, including documentation and appointments, deter program participation.
• Quarterly appointments are identified as a specific barrier in the WIC program.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine WIC participant perceptions of compliance cost reduction after implementing remote appointments.
• To assess the impact of remote appointments on accessing and maintaining WIC benefits.
• To inform policy recommendations for improving WIC access and continuity.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study utilizing 44 in-depth interviews with WIC participants.
• Analysis of participant experiences with WIC benefit access and maintenance.
• Examination of the shift to remote appointments during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Main Results:

• WIC participants reported high satisfaction with remote appointments.
• Remote appointments led to a notable reduction in compliance costs for participants.
• Participants experienced improved ease in accessing and maintaining WIC benefits.

Conclusions:

• Reducing compliance costs through remote appointments enhances WIC program accessibility.
• Policy and practice changes favoring remote options can increase WIC benefit continuity.
• Sustained implementation of flexible appointment options is recommended for WIC.