Women, Infants and Children's Nutrition Program (WIC)

WIC is a special supplemental food program for pregnant, breastfeeding, and post-partum women, infants, and children under five years of age. WIC helps you and your baby get healthy foods and healthy advice in the first years of life.

Benefits

If you're eligible for WIC, you'll receive at no cost:

• A monthly package of delicious, nutritious foods
• Valuable tips on healthy eating
• Health care referrals
• Breastfeeding support

Getting WIC

WIC Food Package

The WIC food package provides nutritious foods to supplement your regular meals. You can choose some or all of the following, free of charge:

• Eggs
• Beans
• Cheese
• Baby formula
• Peanut butter
• White and chocolate milks
• Hot and cold cereals
• A selection of 100% fruit juices
• Canned tuna for breastfeeding mothers
• Whole wheat bread and tortillas
• Fresh and canned fruits and vegetables
• Baby food fruits and vegetables
• Baby food meats for breastfed infants

Who is Eligible

To be eligible for the program, a woman, infant, or child must meet the income guidelines and be at medical or nutritional risk. Low iron levels in the blood (anemia), underweight, overweight, or poor diet are typical examples. A nurse or nutritionist will determine if an applicant is eligible for the WIC program.

You can check your income against the current guidelines to see if you may qualify.

• View the WIC income table

If you receive TANF, Food Stamps or Medicaid, you automatically meet WIC income guidelines.

Apply in Person

USDA policy requires that applicants must apply in person for WIC benefits at their local WIC clinic. Parents not wanting to bring their newborns in to the WIC clinic have a 60-day period during which the newborn must be seen at the WIC clinic.

What to bring to your WIC appointment

Applicants must bring proof of income, residence, and identification to their WIC appointment.

Examples of proof of income:

• A current pay stub less than 60 days old
• A signed statement from an employer indicating gross income earnings for a specified pay period
• Current W-2 forms
• An income tax return for the most current year
• Proof of Medicaid, TANF, or Food Stamps

Examples of proof of residence:

• Pieces of mail that include the client's current address (e.g. current utility bill, bank statement, etc.)
• A valid driver's license with the current address
• A mortgage/rental agreement

Examples of proof of identification:

• A valid driver license
• A social security card
• A valid U.S. passport
• A current shot record
• A military ID
• A newborn crib card

Forms

For Medical Professionals

• Request for Medical Formula for Infants 972e
• Request for Medical Formula for Women and Children 263e

Find Out More

• Find a county health department
• Breastfeeding and WIC

• About WIC
  Information from the USDA

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

1. mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
   Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
   1400 Independence Avenue, SW
   Washington, D.C. 20250-9410
2. fax: (202) 690-7442; or
3. email: program.intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.