Genesee County Health Department
Better Life Through Better Health
Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
I’m responsible for my family of four and we run
out of food before the end of the month. I am employed, but we still
need help. What is the WIC program? Is it a food stamp program? Am I
eligible?
The Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) is a
federal food and nutrition program that provides access to healthy foods such as milk, juices,
infant formula, cereal, tuna, and carrots to pregnant women
or breastfeeding moms and children aged 5 and under who qualify.
Another benefit of the WIC program is the screening
for other health problems. It also offers nutrition classes that teach
how to eat healthier and links families to other services, such as
immunizations.
Even though the program is called "Women,
Infants and Children," grandparents, foster parents or dads who are
the primary caretaker for an eligible child may participate in WIC.
Those eligible for WIC are women who are pregnant or breastfeeding,
women who have recently had a baby, infants from birth to 12 months and
children from ages 1 to 5. They must also be:
- A resident in the state or county in which they apply.
- Income eligible (at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Income
Guidelines, or enrolled in Medicaid or receive food stamps).
- At nutrition and/or health risk. Some examples of health risks are
low blood iron, too little weight gain, poor diet, chronic disease
and lead poisoning. The WIC clinic can determine who is at risk.
Call the Genesee County Health Department WIC
clinic at 237-4537 for more information.
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