How to Qualify for WIC

To qualify for the Women, Infant, and Children's (WIC) nutritional program you either need to be a pregnant woman or have a child under the age of five. You must also qualify based on income, residency, and be determined a nutrition risk.

To be eligible based on income your income must be at or below 185 percent of the US Poverty Guidelines based on your family size. You will need to show proof of income for each adult in your household. Usually the last two paychecks of each person will be sufficient proof of income. WIC income guidelines are more lenient than other benefit programs, so if you have already qualified for the Food Stamp Program, Medicaid, or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) then you will automatically qualify for the income requirement.

To be eligible based on residency you will have to provide proof of your address. This is usually accomplished by bringing in a utility bill in your name. You will also have to provide a photo ID of the parent.

To qualify based on being a nutrition risk you either need to be medically at risk or nutritionally at risk. To be medically at risk would include being over weight or under weight, being anemic, or having pregnancy complications. To be nutritionally at risk would be not following a balanced diet. Some states automatically assume that children are a nutrition risk while others will require a form filled out by a health professional.

Once you have qualified for WIC the program differs slightly from state to state. In my area, you will receive coupon packets for a three month period and return to the WIC office every three months. At every other appointment (every six months) you will be reevaluated for the program. At the reevaluation appointment you will need to bring in proof of income, proof of address, photo ID, the child's immunization record, if pregnant, proof of pregnancy, a diet recall form, and in my state the child's Healthy Kids gold card (insurance).

More than one person in a household can qualify for the program. Each person that qualifies will receive benefits from the program. Each person that qualifies receives three vouchers a month.

Infants 0 to 6 months, who are not being breastfed, will receive vouchers for formula. Infants 6 to 12 months will receive vouchers for infant cereal and juice.

Breastfeeding women, whose children receive no vouchers for formula, will receive vouchers for milk, juice, eggs, cheese, cereal, peanut butter, beans, tuna, and carrots.

Pregnant women and children one to five these vouchers milk, juice, eggs, cheese, cereal, and peanut butter or dried beans. The amounts of each can be different from person to person depending on which package you get (some will have more cheese and less milk depending upon your needs).

To apply for the WIC program you will need to contact your State or local agency to set up an appointment. You can find your WIC State agency, their contact numbers, and their website at http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/Co ntacts/statealpha.HTM