Food Assistance: A Variety of Practices May Lower the Costs of WIC
RCED-97-225
Published: Sep 17, 1997. Publicly Released: Sep 17, 1997.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed cost containment initiatives states are using to control the cost of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), focusing on the practices that the states use to: (1) contain costs by controlling the foods approved for use in the WIC program and by more closely selecting and regulating participating vendors; and (2) ensure that WIC applicants' incomes meet the program's eligibility requirements.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Agriculture | To encourage further implementation of WIC cost containment initiatives, the Secretary of Agriculture should direct the Administrator of the Food and Consumer Service (FCS) to work with the states to identify and implement strategies, including policy and regulatory and legislative revisions, to reduce or eliminate the obstacles that may discourage such initiatives. These strategies could include modifying policies and procedures that allow the states to use cost containment savings for the program's support services and establishing regulatory guidelines for selecting vendors to participate in the program. |
Closed – Implemented
FNS has issued a policy memorandum requiring States to ensure that participants provide evidence of residency and identification at certification and when they receive food or food instruments.
|
| Department of Agriculture | The Secretary of Agriculture should direct the Administrator, FCS, to take the necessary steps to ensure that the state agencies are requiring participants to provide evidence that they reside in the states where they receive WIC benefits and to provide identification when their eligibility is certified and when they receive food or food vouchers. |
Closed – Implemented
USDA's Food and Nutrition Service issued an Interim Rule in the Federal Register on January 21, 2000, amending WIC regulations that requires WIC applicants, among other things, to present proof of residency as part of the state agency's system to prevent dual participation, and to physically present themselves at certification.
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Topics
Cost controlEligibility determinationsFood programs for childrenProcurement practicesSource selectionState-administered programsMedicaidWomen infants and children programChild nutritionFood