A Crash Course On WIC Food Benefits

If so, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) can save the day. But before you get overwhelmed at researching this program, read this quick guide to learn how it works.

Is WIC A New Program?

No, as WIC has been around since 1974.

Who Is In Charge Of WIC?

The federal government is in charge of WIC funding, but states are in charge of administering it through schools, hospitals, county health departments, and Indian health service facilities.

Who Can WIC Help?

As you can tell by its full name listed above, WIC was created to help these specific groups get the nutrition they need:

• Pregnant, postpartum, or breastfeeding women.
• Infants
• Children five and under.

Can you qualify for WIC simply by having such people in your household? No, as you also must prove that you’re at a nutrition risk to be eligible.

What Does “Nutrition Risk” Mean?

Nutrition risk is a WIC eligibility requirement that measures your level of need for the program’s benefits. You can show this in two ways. The first is a dietary risk, which means that you and your children have a deficient diet that falls short of nutritional guidelines. The second is a medically-based risk, which means that you or your children are underweight, anemic, or could suffer from pregnancy complications.

Does WIC Have Income Requirements?

Yes, as you cannot make over a certain income and receive WIC benefits. Beyond that and the other requirements listed above, you’ll also need to live in the state where you apply for benefits. Luckily, WIC works in all 50 states, plus Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., Guam, Virgin Islands, 34 Indian Tribal Organizations, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

How Can You Find Out If You Qualify For WIC?

If all of these eligibility requirements seem like too much to digest and leave you unsure of where you stand, you can use this PreScreening Tool to see if you could qualify for WIC before investing time in the application process.

It’s important to note that simply using that PreScreening Tool won’t get you WIC benefits, even if you think you qualify. To apply for WIC, you’ll have to take the local route and find your agency here. Contact them so you can set up an appointment and begin your application.

Can You Get WIC If You Already Receive Government Assistance?

Some people don’t apply for WIC because they feel other assistance will automatically disqualify them. However, that’s not the case, as receiving other forms of assistance can help you qualify for WIC.

What Does WIC Offer?

Should you qualify for WIC benefits, you can look forward to getting nutritional foods for you and your children in multiple ways, either via delivery, distribution site, or by purchasing them with an EBT card at participating stores.

As for what you can get with WIC benefits, it covers essentials like fruits, vegetables, dairy, cereal, baby food, bread, formula, and the like.