6/26/2023
The United States is known for having a wide variety of programs and entities dedicated to social welfare. Among them is the WIC program to help women and children with nutrition.
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Here we tell you a little more about how it can help you if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or at nutritional risk. We also help you find a WIC office near you, apply for assistance, and find stores that accept WIC near your location to get food.
WIC Offices near you
If you need to find a WIC center near your location, you can use the search engine on the FNS website to find the nearest WIC office for any WIC-related business by entering the state or city where you live.
You can also use this map to find a center that provides WIC coverage near you:
WIC approved stores near you
Once approved for the U.S. government's nutrition program for women, infants and children, you can purchase food at many participating food stores.
To find a store near you that accepts WIC, the appropriate state services often provide store listings and online search engines. Here we have compiled those for a few states:
What is the WIC program?
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children is a government assistance program that is part of the FNS (Food and Nutrition Service) and the USDA. It provides medical and nutritional care for pregnant women (pre- and postpartum) and children up to 5 years of age.
Its mission is to promote family wellness through institutional partnerships.
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children Background
The WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children) began as an amendment to Section 17 of the Children Nutrion Act of 1966 that was made in 1972. Minnesota Senator Hubert Humphrey sponsored what was to be a 2-year pilot program.
In those early days, eligibility was limited to children up to age 4 and left out postpartum women who were not breastfeeding. By the end of 1974, the program was operational in 45 states, and in 1975 it was established as permanent. It was then added to children up to 5 and postpartum women (up to 6 months).
All screened participants had to be at some kind of nutritional risk and not have sufficient resources (something that was later defined). In 1978, nutritional risk and income requirements were established, which were linked to existing parameters for affordable school meals.
During 1989 there was another change in standards, establishing income similar to Medicaid or food stamps now managed through the EBT card, and participation in AFDC, lowering WIC financial eligibility and simplifying the application process.
After support for breastfeeding women came the standardization of criteria on nutritional risk eligibility, which led to the assignment of priority levels.
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In December 2000, the White House issued an executive memorandum authorizing the program to begin making assessments of children's immunization status. This is because WIC has greater access to low-income children, which increased the potential for mass immunization.
The government also included assessments for immunization and referral as part of the program's standard certification. Within WICs, the minimum requirements in these categories are an efficient, accurate and appropriate form of screening and referral. In addition, state and local agencies must coordinate with immunization screening providers.
WIC eligibility requirements
To be eligible for this program, there are 4 selection criteria:
- Income. The gross income required by the program must be 185% below the national guidelines for the poverty line. State income is between 100% and 185% below the federal poverty line, although most states use the maximum. This implies about $45,000 per year for a family within the 48 registered states.
- Category. This involves women who are pregnant and up to 6 months postpartum. Support for those who are breastfeeding goes through the infant's first year. Children must be 5 years old or younger and infants receive protection until the infant's first birthday.
- Residency. You must have a confirmed address in a state where this assistance is available.
- Nutritional risk. This diagnosis is made by a doctor or licensed health care professional (nurse or nutritionist). The nutritional assessment is based on height, weight and development. It also includes hematocrit/hemoglobin level, general history and diet.
How do I apply for assistance through WIC?
To receive this benefit, you must contact a local or state WIC office to schedule an appointment. Applicants are instructed on what to bring to the appointment to determine eligibility.
You can also visit the program's official website or call a toll-free number for information, such as 202-720-2791 for the USDA Food and Nutrition Service.
Time Frame of Care
Medical care within WIC is of short duration, so participants 'graduate' after meeting one or more time frames. The certification period refers to the time within which the participant has eligibility.
Depending on the state, a person who qualifies will have benefits for 6 to 12 months and then will have to reapply.
Priority System or Waiting List
Sometimes the agencies that administer this program do not have enough money for those seeking this assistance. When this happens, these agencies must generate a waiting list to serve those who are most likely to qualify.
WIC agencies then use the Priority System to allocate resources as they become available. The purpose of the Priority System is to ensure that those with the most serious health conditions receive care first.
Español: Oficinas de WIC cerca de mí y tiendas que aceptan WIC