TABLE 2.

Illustrative Quotations Stratified by WIC Current and Early-Leaving Participants

	Current Participants	Early-Leaving Participants
Theme 1: F&V benefits are insufficient.
Insufficient F&V	“It gives about 10%. For example, they pay $11 for fruits and vegetables…[but] I spend more than that every time.” (record 19)	“They give you $11 worth of fruits and vegetables, but that was all that I was using…I didn’t think it was worth it.” (record 65)
	“I just asked if we could get more money like allowance for actual fruit or veggies…they gave me 4 more dollars for fruits and...it’s not enough.” (record 7)	“We did buy the veggies, but it’s not [a] big amount…we always bought more than that...we want more veggies.” (record 72)
Theme 2: Food benefits’ inflexibility prevents full redemption.
Benefits’ inflexibility	“They just don’t give you a lot of alternatives…even if it’s for another healthy [food].” (record 19)	“[I want for WIC] to give a little bit more freedom for a different kind of bread…so you can use it.” (record 59)
Allergies	“WIC didn’t want to change his milk because it was a special formula, even with the form from the doctor asking for a new formula.” (record 21)	“I told them that it wasn’t working, that my son was allergic, and…I had to take what they gave me.” (record 71)
Preferences	“But it’s a personal preference. I prefer to have almond milk over Lactaid.” (record 17)	“I just noticed a lot of the benefits that they were offering, I wasn’t really using, so I slowly just stopped using them.” (record 65)
Cultures	“One of the foods that we have missed the most…[was] our Brazilian rice, Tio João…these things, we pay them in cash.” (record 21)	“We’re not from US originally…[and] the way we cook and the meals we are used to are a little different from American.” (record 71)
Theme 3: EBT cards and smartphone apps improve the shopping experience; however, in-store item mislabeling is still linked with embarrassment at checkout.
EBT cards	“I think it’s a lot easier because I was around with my older kids when they had the paper checks. So, I think it’s a lot easier.” (record 13)	“I was more embarrassed that it would take so much time when it was the…checks and…this time around I was like, ‘Oh my God, it’s like a credit card.’” (record 27)
Smartphone shopping apps	“The app keeps track of what is left for the month. It reminds…so [you can] try to use up whatever you have left.” (record 14)	“The app was the best thing ever.” (record 69)
Checkout	“I was having trouble at the register, and I tried like 4 different stores [which is] like a lot of work for the employees as well.” (record 14)	“It was always a problem…and it’s embarrassing…are you going to leave all your stuff and go find the right one?” (record 31)
Theme 4: Both current and early-leaving participants reported positive clinical experiences; however, barriers to care were more often reported by early-leaving participants.
Positive experience	“I don’t have any bad experiences; I’ve had really good ones. I feel like it helps me.” (record 24)	“The service is good, the communication is good, the support is good, the help is good. There are no complaints.” (record 62)
Wait times	“The appointments were quick.” (record 21)	“They ended up taking their walk-ins before their scheduled appointments.” (record 65)
Ability to reschedule	“I am close to the WIC office, and they have availability and everything…it has been easy for me.” (record 10)	“Let’s say if I missed 1 appointment, it will cost me the whole month because I will get the other appointment in 3 weeks.” (record 53)
Recertification	“I don’t think it’s difficult to apply for WIC if you’re qualified.” (record 25)	“I feel like they should’ve been more understanding…[and] given me more time [to gather the required documents].” (record 31)
Theme 5: Caregivers will not accept benefits that they do not need.
Consideration of need	“I use it because I need it. And it helps out a lot.” (record 24)	“I am lucky enough to be blessed enough with having a mom that was able to help me with everything…I wouldn’t want to take away from somebody else if they needed it more than I do.” (record 69)
	“But if I had a better job, if my financial situation was better, I wouldn’t use it because I’m not the kind of person that just wants things for free if you’re not in need.” (record 25)	“I don’t really need it because I get food stamps. When I did run out of milk and stuff like that and the eggs, WIC was that backup.” (record 62)