The number of Idaho resident enrolled in a federal program to help low-income mothers and children receive vouchers for certain nutritional foods has dropped.
The total number of Idaho women and children enrolled in the Women, Infant and Children’s program has fallen some 18 percent over the last four years. The decline matches a national trend, as enrollment in the program, run by the United States Department of Agriculture, has also steadily declined over the last eight years.
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare says the program’s popularity is often tied to the strength of the economy, because families have to make below a certain amount to qualify. Also, officials speculate that there were fewer children born who were eligible for the program.
A two-person household in Idaho would have to earn less than $30,000 annually for the mother and children to qualify for the program. Every additional person in the house raises that maximum threshold by slightly less than $8,000. In addition, eligible women have to be pregnant or breastfeeding and eligible children have to be younger than 5.
The shrinking enrollment also means that the women who do participate end up receiving a higher share of the available aid. The average amount of allocated food dollars for certain food options and baby formula in Idaho is $33 per month, which is among the lowest funding amounts per person in the country. The national average is $47. (Post Register)
