WIC Eligibles and Coverage 1994-2007: Estimates of the Population of Women, Infants, and Children Eligible for WIC Benefits

WIC provides food, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and health care and social service referrals to nutritionally at-risk low-income pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and children through age 4. This report updates estimates of those meeting the criteria for WIC benefits from 1994 through 2007. In 2007, 14.2 million individuals were eligible for WIC benefits in an average month, slightly less than the amount in 2006. The program served 8.4 million, or 59 percent, in 2007.