Researchers wanted to see if sending text messages could help more families sign up for WIC, a government program that provides food and nutrition help for pregnant women, new mothers, and young children. They tested this idea with over 900 households in Arizona by sending some families text messages encouraging them to enroll. Unfortunately, the text messages didn’t work as hoped—families who received the messages weren’t more likely to sign up than families who didn’t receive them. This suggests that getting people to use food assistance programs requires more than just a quick text message.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether sending text messages to eligible families could encourage them to enroll in WIC, a government food assistance program for women, babies, and young children
  • Who participated: 916 households in Arizona that qualified for WIC but hadn’t signed up yet
  • Key finding: Families who received text messages about WIC enrollment were just as likely (or unlikely) to sign up as families who didn’t receive any messages, meaning the text messages didn’t make a difference
  • What it means for you: If you’re trying to help people access food assistance programs, simply sending text messages probably won’t be enough. More personal or direct outreach methods may be needed, though this study was just a first test of this idea

The Research Details

This was a randomized controlled trial, which is considered one of the strongest ways to test whether something actually works. Researchers divided 916 eligible households in Arizona into two groups randomly—like flipping a coin to decide who gets what. One group received text messages encouraging them to enroll in WIC, while the other group didn’t receive any messages. By comparing what happened in both groups, researchers could see if the text messages actually made a difference.

The study was designed as a ‘pilot,’ which means it was a small test run to see if this approach was worth studying more carefully in the future. The researchers tracked whether families in each group actually enrolled in WIC over a certain time period.

This research approach is important because it helps answer a real-world question: what’s the best way to reach families who need help but haven’t signed up yet? Understanding what works (and what doesn’t) can help government programs use their resources more wisely and help more families get the nutrition support they need

This study has several strengths: it used a randomized design (which reduces bias), it had a decent sample size of 916 households, and it tested a real-world intervention. However, it was a pilot study, meaning it was relatively small and only tested one approach in one state. The results might be different in other places or with different types of outreach messages

What the Results Show

The main finding was straightforward: text messages alone did not increase WIC enrollment. Families who received the text messages enrolled at similar rates to families who didn’t receive them. This was surprising to researchers because text messaging is a low-cost way to reach people, and many public health programs use it. However, the results suggest that signing up for government assistance programs is more complicated than just reminding people that the program exists.

The researchers didn’t find any significant difference between the two groups, which means the text messages weren’t an effective tool for this particular goal. This doesn’t mean text messages are useless for all health programs, but it does suggest they may not be enough by themselves to get people to take action on something as involved as enrolling in a government program.

The study didn’t report detailed information about why families didn’t enroll or what barriers they faced. This is important context that could help explain the results. For example, families might not have enrolled because they didn’t know where to go, didn’t have time to complete the application, didn’t understand the requirements, or faced other practical obstacles that a text message alone couldn’t overcome

Previous research has shown mixed results about using text messages for health and social programs. Some studies found text messages helpful for reminding people about appointments or encouraging healthy behaviors, but those situations are often simpler than enrolling in a government program. This study adds to growing evidence that text messages work best when combined with other support, not as a standalone strategy

This was a pilot study in Arizona, so results might be different in other states or communities. The study only tested one type of text message approach, so different messages or timing might have worked better. The researchers didn’t collect detailed information about why families chose not to enroll, which would have been helpful for understanding the results. Additionally, we don’t know if the families who received texts actually read them or if phone numbers were current

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, text messages alone should not be the main strategy for getting eligible families to enroll in WIC or similar programs. Instead, programs should consider combining text messages with other approaches like phone calls, in-person assistance, help with applications, or community outreach. If text messages are used, they should be part of a larger effort, not the only tool. Confidence level: Moderate (this is one pilot study, so more research would strengthen these conclusions)

Government agencies running food assistance and nutrition programs should pay attention to these findings. Community organizations helping families access benefits should also consider this research. If you’re eligible for WIC or similar programs, this research suggests you might need to reach out directly or ask for help rather than waiting for a text message reminder

This study measured enrollment over a specific time period after the text messages were sent. Families would have needed to see the message, understand it, and complete enrollment within that window. The results suggest that even with time to respond, text messages alone weren’t effective

Want to Apply This Research?

  • If using an app to help with government benefits, track which families you contact and how (text, call, in-person), then monitor enrollment rates for each method. This helps identify which approaches actually work in your community
  • Instead of relying only on text reminders, use the app to connect families with direct assistance—like scheduling a call with an enrollment specialist, providing step-by-step application help, or offering to submit applications on their behalf
  • Track enrollment rates for families who receive different types of outreach (text only, text plus phone call, text plus in-person help, etc.). Over time, you’ll see which combinations work best in your specific community and can adjust your approach accordingly

This research suggests that text messages alone may not be effective for enrolling families in WIC. However, this was a pilot study in one state, and results may vary in different communities. If you’re eligible for WIC or other food assistance programs, contact your local WIC office directly or speak with a community organization that helps with benefits enrollment. This research should not discourage you from applying—it simply suggests that additional support beyond text messages may be helpful. Always consult with local program staff about the best way to enroll in benefits available to you