Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is a supplemental food and nutrition program for  pregnant women, new moms and children under the age of 5. It helps women and children receive financial  assistance in purchasing food , counseling and information on healthy eating , breastfeeding support and information and referrals on health care and other community resources.

Who is eligible for WIC ?

The program supports pregnant women, new moms and children under the age of 5 years old. To qualify , you need to  :

• meet financial requirement
• show proof of state residency
• be considered a nutritional risk

Call your local WIC office to find out if you meet the criteria.

The program  will help pregnant women and  children using the following guidelines.

• Pregnant women : During pregnancy and up to 6 weeks after giving birth or after the pregnancy has ended
• New moms : Up to 6 months after giving birth
• Infants : Up to their first birthdays
• Children : Up to their fifth birthdays

What are the income requirements for WIC ?

To be eligible , your gross income (income before taxes) must be at or below 185 percent of the U.S. poverty income guidelines. To find out about your state’s income guidelines, call your local WIC office.

You may automatically  qualify if you already  participate in programs such as Medicaid, TANF (Temporary assistance for needy families) or other state programs.

What type of help does WIC provide ?

They provide assistance through checks and vouchers that participants use in local grocery stores. Foods that are covered by WIC vouchers include the following :

• eggs
• milk
• cheese
• peanut butter
• infant cereal
• fortified cereal
• canned beans
• dried vegetables

It also provides vouchers that can be used to buy fresh fruits and vegetables from local farmers markets.

They also encourage new moms to breastfeed. Women who breastfeed are given ongoing education and support . They are also given enhanced food packages and may qualify for  a breast pump.

This program also provides vouchers  for certain types of formulas if a woman cannot breastfeed her child.

How can i happy for WIC ?

You need to contact your local WIC office to make an appointment. You may need to take with you

• proof of pregnancy ( if you’re pregnant)
• proof of income
• proof of residency
• valid ID

Call your local WIC office to find out what documentation you need.