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HHS Logo Eagle IconU.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Many Children in HHS Safety Net Programs Are Eligible for Nutrition Assistance But Are Not Enrolled

Publication Date
Authors
Suzanne Macartney, Robin Ghertner

Nutrition assistance programs have been shown to increase children’s health and well-being and decrease the risk of child maltreatment. At the same time, food insecurity rose in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. This report analyzes the number of children served by HHS safety net programs who were eligible but not enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), in 2018.

  • Among children ages zero to four served by HHS safety net programs, 87 percent were eligible for Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), in 2018.
  • Thirty-nine percent of young children served by HHS safety net programs – 3.2 million – were eligible for WIC but not receiving the benefit.
  • Fifty-five percent of children age 0 to 17 who participated in HHS safety net programs were eligible for SNAP.
  • Nine percent of children served by HHS safety net programs – 2.7 million – were eligible for SNAP but did not get the benefit.
  • HHS programs could explore how to facilitate families’ knowledge and receipt of WIC and SNAP benefits to ensure they receive nutrition assistance.

Related Products:

Files
HHS Programs, WIC and SNAP (pdf, 1.25 MB)
Topics
Access to Services & Benefits | Social Determinants of Health | Child Care | Child Support | Early Care & Education | Maternal & Child Health | Access to Services and Benefits & Services Integration | Social Safety Net | Welfare, Welfare Reform, & TANF
Product Type
ASPE Data Point
Populations
Children
Location- & Geography-Based Data
National Data
Program
Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) | Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) | Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) | Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) | Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) | Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)