Hayes Introduces Legislation to Increase WIC Enrollment for Pregnant Women, Moms, Infants, And Young Children In Connecticut

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) introduced the WIC For Kids Act, legislation to eliminate barriers to enrollment in the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). WIC is a cost-effective investment in families that leads to healthier infants, more nutritious diets and better health and support for pregnant and nursing moms. Unfortunately, there are nearly 6 million mothers and children who are eligible for WIC but cannot access benefits. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, only 50.2 percent of eligible Americans participate in WIC. “Millions who are eligible for WIC do not access the program. My legislation, the WIC for Kids Act would help to remove unnecessary barriers, connect more recipients to WIC, and provide the necessary nutrition for early development,” said Congresswoman Jahana Hayes. Specifically, the WIC for Kids Act removes barriers to program enrollment by granting automatic eligibility to WIC for those who: Reside in a household in which a member participates in SNAP Participate in Children’s Health Insurance Program Participate in Head Start or reside in a household in which one or more children are enrolled in Head Start. Reside in a household that participates in Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations Are members of a family of a pregnant woman, postpartum woman, infant, or child that receives medical assistance from Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program. The legislation also allows for adjustments to help align family certification periods and directs states to include information on how kinship families will be served as part of  state plans. The WIC for Kids Act is endorsed by National WIC Association, Alliance to End Hunger, Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), Connecticut Foodshare, Public Advocacy for Kids (PAK), Generations United, Hawai'i Children's Action Network, Mazon: A Jewish Response to Hunger, Parents Anonymous, South Carolina Program for Infant/Toddler Care, StriveTogether, and Wheeler Health. "WIC is one of the most effective federal programs we have, yet almost half of eligible families are not participating. The WIC for Kids Act would make it easier for eligible families to enroll and stay enrolled in WIC by reducing administrative barriers. Allowing families to consolidate appointments and letting WIC use existing eligibility data from other programs are commonsense policy improvements that will improve access to WIC while maintaining strong program integrity,” said Georgia Machell, President and CEO, National WIC Association. “To help make sure moms and children can access the critical nutrition and services that WIC provides, the Alliance to End Hunger supports efforts that make it more efficient for family members to participate. This bill complements flexibilities that will be provided through passage of the bi-partisan MODERN WIC Act/21st Century WIC Act,” said Eric Mitchell, President, Alliance to End Hunger. “FRAC is proud to support the WIC for KIDS Act reintroduced today by Rep. Hayes (D-CT). WIC is one of our nation’s most effective tools for improving the health and well-being of moms, babies, and young children by ensuring they get the nutrition they need to thrive. Yet too many families are missing out because of red tape. This bill would remove unnecessary barriers and ensure more eligible families can access and maintain the support that WIC provides,” said Crystal FitzSimons, president of FRAC. “Connecticut Foodshare is proud to support the WIC for Kids Act to help ensure that all eligible households are able to access the program at a time when it is desperately needed,” said Jason Jakubowski, President & CEO. "Public Advocacy for Kids (PAK) has witnessed firsthand what happens when the WIC recertification process is made too complex and complicated.  Adding income and residency requirements further contributes to often overwhelmed parents to give up in frustration or confusion and choose not to opt-in to much need assistance.  PAK thanks Rep Hayes for her effort to simplify the process of the WIC certification process and increase the number of WIC participants," said Arnold F Fege, President, Public Advocacy for Kids. The legislation is cosponsored by Representatives Barragán, Bell, Brown, Carter (LA), Costa, Courtney, Dean, Gomez, Holmes Norton, Horsford, Jacobs, Keating, Kennedy, Krishnamoorthi, McIver, Moore, Moulton, Pingree, Scanlon, Simon, Thanedar, Thompson (MS), Williams (GA), and Wilson. Full text of the bill can be found here .