WIC: Women, Infants & Children
WIC is a Federal grant program, not an entitlement program, and it is widely regarded as one of the most successful social programs. Each year, Congress authorizes a specific amount of funding for the program. The USDA Food and Nutrition Service administers the program and allocates funding to the state WIC agencies to pay for WIC foods, nutrition education and administrative costs.
This program provides supplemental food, health care referrals and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding post-partum women as well as infants and children up to age five who are determined to be at nutritional risk. From 1996-2011 the allocated for WIC was sufficient to provide for all eligible applicants. In 2009, 15 million women and children were eligible to participate in the WIC program.
WIC benefits include:
- Personalized nutrition information
- Referral services
- Breastfeeding support
- Health screenings
- Educational workshops
- Checks to buy healthy foods
WIC has a rich history ofencouraging participating mothers to breastfeed their infants in order to improve the nutritional status of the child. View one of WIC's many breastfeeding campaigns: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vyxh8RnuK3U
WIC Approved Foods
- Cereals
- Whole grain bread
- Tortillas
- Brown Rice
- Juice
- Cheese
- Milk & Soy Milk
- Beans
- Fruits & Vegetables (fresh, frozen, and canned)
- Baby Food
WIC Eligibility Criteria
- Categorical: Pregnant, Post-partum or Breastfeeding mothers, and children up to age 5
- Residential: State Residency to receive benefits from that state
- Income: 100-185% of the poverty line
- Nutrition Risk: determined by a health professional, via medical or dietary based criteria
- Example: iron deficiency anemia (medical) or poor diet history (dietary)
WIC Income Guidelines
To be eligible on the basis of income, applicants' gross income (i.e. before taxes are withheld) must fall at or below 185 percent of the U.S. Poverty Income Guidelines. The guidelines for WIC are shown below.
Application to WIC
Detailed information about applying to WIC can be found here.
WIC offices are located throughout the Massachusetts. Potential applicants can call 1-800-WIC-1007 to set up an appointment. Applicants should bring the following to the appointment:
- Proof of current household income for all members of your household (Pay stubs within 30 days, letter from employer, or proof of participation in Medicaid, MassHealth or SNAP)
- Proof of Massachusetts residence (Utility bill, rent or lease agreement, bank statement, bank book/checkbook, ID card/license, or postmarked mail at that address)
- Proof of Identity (Driver's License, birth certificate, MassHealth card, Social Security card)
