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Changes in WIC, Medicaid, and SNAP Participation by State

The map and charts below illustrate changes in WIC, Medicaid, and SNAP participation between February 2020 and February 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic. These changes are discussed in Eligible Low-Income Children Missing Out on Crucial WIC Benefits During Pandemic.

Select WIC, Medicaid, or SNAP in the first menu box to see a map and charts with data for that program. Select “All Participants” or “Infants and Children Only” in the second menu box to see participation changes across states and across WIC, Medicaid, and SNAP. (Due to limited participation data for children in SNAP, only total SNAP participation data are shown.)

Select a state to compare its change in participation for a given program with other states and to compare changes within the state across WIC, Medicaid, and SNAP. Hover over a state to see the number of participants in the months being compared. Adjust the slider to see participation changes in different months.

Changes in WIC, Medicaid, and SNAP Participation by State

Change in   from February 2020 through  

Notes: Total WIC participation includes U.S. territories and Indian tribal organizations in addition to the 50 states and Washington, D.C. WIC infant and child participation includes children up to age 5. Total Medicaid participation includes the 50 states and D.C. Medicaid child enrollment includes children up to age 18 and, in some states, 21. Total SNAP participation includes Guam and the Virgin Islands in addition to the 50 states and D.C. SNAP data are preliminary, may have reporting anomalies, and are subject to revision. More detailed notes on the data can be found in the Appendix to Eligible Low-Income Children Missing Out on Crucial WIC Benefits During Pandemic.

Source: CBPP analysis of U.S. Department of Agriculture administrative data on WIC participation, https://www.fns.usda.gov/pd/wic-program; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) administrative data on Medicaid participation, https://data.medicaid.gov, and U.S. Department of Agriculture administrative data on SNAP participation, https://www.fns.usda.gov/pd/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap. Accessed September 21, 2021.