WHAT IS WIC?
The Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC) provides food and nutrition information to help keep pregnant and breastfeeding women, infants and children under five years of age healthy and strong.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR WIC?
- You live in Wisconsin
- You are pregnant, breastfeeding or a new mother
- You have an infant or children under 5 years of age
- You or your children have a health or nutrition need
- You have a household income (before tax deductions) that is less than or equal to WIC income guidelines. Many working families qualify. A pregnant woman counts as two family members.
You are income eligible for WIC if you currently receive Kinship Care, W-2, Food Stamps, Badger Care, or Medicaid, including healthy Start. You may be income eligible for WIC if Food Stamp eligibility has been canceled.
The WIC Program uses the same income criteria as free and reduced price school lunches. Fathers, guardians or foster parents may apply for WIC for their children.
HOW TO APPLY FOR WIC
Call the WIC program nearest you. Check your local phone directory for the public health or WIC office in your area. Or call 1-800-722-2295 for assistance in locating a WIC program.
At your appointment, a WIC nutritionist will review your or your child's health history. You will also discuss what you and your children eat.
If you are eligible, you will receive nutrition information and counseling, learn about other services, and receive checks to buy foods such as:
These foods help keep pregnant and breastfeeding women, infants, and children healthy and strong.
HOW WIC WORKS
The WIC staff cares about you and your children. They will provide:
- Information on how to use WIC foods to improve health
- Checks to buy foods that help keep you and your children healthy and strong
- Help getting immunizations for your children
- Discussions on food shopping, recipes, taking care of babies and how to breastfeed
- Information on healthy eating during pregnancy and breastfeeding and tips on feeding your child
- Referrals to doctors, dentists, and programs like Food Stamps, Medicaid, healthy Start, Head Start, and Badger Care
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