WIC EBT Feasibility Study and Cost‐Benefit Analysis

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Virginia Department of Health WIC EBT Feasibility Study and Cost-Benefit Analysis • Stop payments • Compliance food instruments The State is also charged for check voucher stock with the cost dependent upon the quantity ordered. These are provided shrink wrapped, with 500 sheets per package and 2,000 sheets per carton. 3.6 WIC PARTICIPANTS For this analysis WIC participants were invited to participate in a web-based survey. As participant costs are not normally captured in a WIC CBA, the main purpose of the survey was to obtain participants’ experiences with perceptions of the paperbased system. The survey was available from May 8, 2008 to June 2, 2008 and 121 completed household responses were received during this period. As seen in the following graph, the respondent households were similar in make-up to the general WIC population in Virginia. 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 10.0% 0.0% WIC Population and Survey Respondents Participant Response: “I love WIC and I know if it wasn't for WIC my daughter would not have the formula she needs. The program is very beneficial and informative.” WIC Population Respondent Households According to respondents, the average number of FIs received in a three-month period was 14.5. This is approximately three more than the average number of FIs per household based on State data, which is 11.2 FIs during a three month period. In addition: • 43.1% of the respondents indicated that they use or have used a Food Stamp EBT card. • 83.2% indicated that it takes longer to use a FI than an EBT, credit, or debit card. • 3.4% indicated that they had never used an EBT, credit or debit card. • 90.8% indicated that the store(s) they shop at for WIC items scan the items bar codes. 56 V 1.2 August 20, 2008 Appendix B: Baseline Analysis
Virginia Department of Health WIC EBT Feasibility Study and Cost-Benefit Analysis • 37.3% indicated that they have had to wait at a clinic because of problems printing a FI. Survey questions and responses related to use of the FI are provided in the following table and further expanded in the section below. Question Percent YES 1 Have you ever felt uncomfortable or embarrassed when using a WIC food voucher? Percent NO 58.8% 41.2% 2 Have you ever had problems using a WIC food voucher? 43.7% 56.3% 3 Do you ever purchase some but not all of the items on your food voucher? 36.6% 64.4% 4 Have you ever forgotten your WIC ID folder at the supermarket? 30.3% 69.7% 5 Have you ever lost your food vouchers? 25.9% 74.1% 6 Have you ever had your food vouchers stolen? 6.0% 94.0% 7 Have you ever lost your food benefits because your food vouchers were lost or stolen? 9.4% 90.6% Question 1. Have you ever felt uncomfortable or embarrassed when using a WIC food voucher? Well over half (58.8 percent) answered yes to this question. Regardless of the efficiencies and cost savings, when Food Stamps transitioned from coupons to EBT cards, one of the major benefits of the program was held to be the ability of Food Stamp recipients to purchase food in a grocery store without the stigma of presenting coupons. Instead, the recipient used a debit card and was perceived by other store clients and by most clerks as being “normal” shoppers. Following is a synopsis of the 68 comments received in response to this question: “Because the people behind you in line obviously know your business when you have the big envelope that you have to show and (when) you (take the) WIC check out then they start judging you as a person.” • Customers and cashiers are frustrated with the time it takes to cash more than one voucher in a transaction. • Employees and shoppers stare when the WIC folder and checks are used; the WIC ID Folder is very large and noticeable. • Cashiers have to call the managers over to approve the checks, holding up the line. • When a cashier calls for help, it is often done through the announcement system or by loudly calling for someone to assist with WIC. This impacts privacy and brings out into the open that the person is receiving assistance. • It takes added time when the total purchase may include Food Stamp (EBT card), cash, and WIC voucher purchase, all of which must be separated. • Participant has to refer the clerk to the allowable food flyer to educate the clerk on a questionable item. 57 V 1.2 August 20, 2008 Appendix B: Baseline Analysis
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WIC EBT Feasibility Study and Cost‐Benefit Analysis

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