What is WIC?

WIC was established as a permanent program in 1974 to safeguard the health of low-income women, infants, and children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk. This mission is carried out by providing nutritious foods to supplement diets, nutrition education (including breastfeeding promotion and support), and referrals to health and other social services. Find out more: https://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/about-wic-wic-glance

Where is WIC available?

The program is available in all 50 states, 34 Indian Tribal Organizations, American Samoa, District of Columbia, Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. While funded through grants from the Federal Government, WIC is administered by 90 state agencies, with services provided at a variety of clinic locations including, but not limited to, county health departments, hospitals, schools, and Indian Health Service facilities.

What food benefits do WIC participants receive?

The foods provided through the WIC Program are designed to supplement participants’ diets with specific nutrients. WIC authorized foods include infant cereal, baby foods, iron-fortified adult cereal, fruits and vegetables, vitamin C-rich fruit or vegetable juice, eggs, milk, cheese, yogurt, soy-based beverages, tofu, peanut butter, dried and canned beans/peas, canned fish, whole wheat bread and other whole-grain options. For infants of women who do not fully breastfeed, WIC provides iron-fortified infant formula. Special infant formulas and medical foods may also be provided if medically indicated. Learn more about food benefits here: https://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/wic-food-packages

Program benefits include more than food.

WIC benefits are not limited only to food. Participants have access to a number of resources, including health screening, nutrition and breastfeeding counseling, immunization screening and referral, substance abuse referral, and more. Find out more: https://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/wic-benefits-and-services

Am I eligible?

Pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, infants, and children up to age 5 who meet certain requirements are eligible. These requirements include income eligibility and state residency. Additionally, the applicant must be individually determined to be at “nutrition risk” by a health professional or a trained health official. To find out if you might be income eligible for WIC benefits go to: https://wic.fns.usda.gov/wps/pages/preScreenTool.xhtml

What is “nutrition risk” and why is it important?

Two major types of nutrition risk are recognized for WIC eligibility: medically-based risks such as anemia, underweight, history of pregnancy complications, or poor pregnancy outcomes; and dietary risks, such as inappropriate nutrition/feeding practices or failure to meet the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Women, infants, and children at nutrition risk have much greater risk of experiencing health problems. Learn more about nutrition risk: https://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/wic-eligibility-requirements

I’m eligible, what do I do next?

Those who are interested in applying for benefits should contact their state agency to request information on where to schedule an appointment. Applicants will be advised on what to bring to the appointment in order to verify eligibility.

EBT makes it easier to use food benefits.

In most WIC state agencies, participants receive paper checks or vouchers to purchase food, while a few distribute food through centralized warehouses or deliver the foods to participants’ homes. However, all WIC state agencies have been mandated to implement WIC electronic benefit transfer (EBT) statewide by October 1, 2020. EBT uses a magnetic stripe or smart card, similar to a credit card, that participants use in the check-out lane to redeem their food benefits. EBT provides a safer, easier, and more efficient grocery experience and provides greater flexibility in the way WIC participants can shop. Find out more and check if your state supports EBT: https://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/wic-electronic-benefits-transfer-ebt

Focus on breastfeeding.

Even though breast milk is the most nutritious and complete source of food for infants, nationally less than 30% of infants are breastfed at 1 year of age. A major goal of the WIC Program is to improve the nutritional status of infants; therefore, WIC mothers are encouraged to breastfeed their infants, unless medically contraindicated. Pregnant women and new WIC mothers are provided breastfeeding educational materials and support through counseling and guidance. Explore the benefits of breastfeeding and find helpful resources here: https://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/breastfeeding-promotion-and-support-wic

WIC Facts
  • If you participate in another assistance program you may be automatically income-eligible for WIC.
  • Breastfeeding mothers are eligible to participate in WIC longer than non-breastfeeding mothers.
  • More than half of the infants in the U.S. participate in WIC.
  • WIC participants support the local economy through their purchases.
  • WIC works with farmers markets to help increase participant access to provide fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables.

Find out more here: https://www.fns.usda.gov/fmnp/wic-farmers-market-nutrition-program-fmnp

Where can I learn more?

Information on FNS programs is available at www.fns.usda.gov/fns/

02/14/2019