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Archived News Article: Information may be out of date
February 19, 2020

Everything You Need to Know About WIC

Everything You Need to Know About WIC
Everything You Need to Know About WIC

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides healthcare and nutrition to low-income pregnant women, breastfeeding women, and children under age five.

WIC is a federal government program funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

To find your local WIC office and program in your state, visit the Benefits.gov Food and Nutrition page.

For a list of additional government benefits you may be eligible to receive, check out our Benefit Finder tool. 

Who is eligible for WIC?

WIC determines eligibility using the following four criteria:

  1. Categorical: Program participation is largely reserved for pregnant, breastfeeding, or non-breastfeeding postpartum women; infants; and children under age five. Also considered in this category are parents or guardians that are the sole provider including fathers, grandparents, and foster parents.
  2. Income: Applicants' pre-tax income must fall at or below 185% of the U.S. poverty income guidelines.
  3. Residential: You must be a resident of the state in which you are applying for assistance.
  4. Nutrition risk: A nutritional risk assessment will be conducted by a qualified health professional (physician, nurse, or nutritionist).

Locations you can apply:

Some common locations are available for you to apply for the WIC program. These locations include:

  • Schools
  • Hospitals
  • Mobile clinics
  • County health departments
  • Community centers
  • Public housing sites
  • Migrant health centers and camps
  • Indian health services facilities

Food items provided by WIC:

WIC food is rich in protein, calcium, iron, vitamins A and C, and other important nutrients. These food items often include milk, cheese, breakfast cereal, eggs, whole wheat bread, brown rice, peanut butter, and canned fish and legumes.

Services provided by WIC:

  • Breastfeeding education and support
  • Supplemental nutritious foods (cereal, milk, cheese, eggs, juice, beans, peanut butter and infant formula) at no cost
  • Nutrition education and counseling
  • Money-saving system that can be used to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, baby foods, and other foods the program does not provide
  • Screening referrals to other health, welfare, and social services
  • Vouchers to buy WIC-approved fruits and vegetables from authorized farmers' markets

If you are looking for additional government benefits you may be eligible to receive, try our Benefit Finder tool.

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