Pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women, infants, and children up to age 5 are eligible. They must meet income guidelines, a state residency requirement, and be individually determined to be at "nutritional risk" by a health professional.
USDA proposed rule to streamline and modernize WIC and offer online shopping to participants. The proposed changes aim to ease stores’ administrative requirements, creates state positions to improve customer experience. Questions and answers regarding the proposed rule can be found on this page.
WIC was established as a permanent program in 1974 to safeguard the health of low-income women, infants, and children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk. This mission is carried out by providing nutritious foods to supplement diets, nutrition education (including breastfeeding promotion and support), and referrals to health and other social services.
With the recent passage of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act to assist with the novel coronavirus public health emergency, WIC received an increase in funding for the program as well as increased ability to provide states with the flexibilities they need to support mothers, infants and children that rely on WIC.
Verification of Certification Webinar Frequently Ask Questions
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Immunizing children against certain diseases is one important way to help them stay healthy. WIC’s mission is to be a partner with other services that are important to childhood and family well-being, such as immunizations. As an adjunct to services that provide immunizations, the WIC program’s role is to find out about a child’s need for immunizations and share that information with parents, including where to get a child immunized.
WIC is the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children. WIC provides nutritious foods (primarily through retail grocery stores), nutrition counseling, and referrals to health care and social services.
This policy memorandum provides guidance for WIC state and local agencies in determining income eligibility for state and federal employees in instances where such employees experience a temporary decrease in earning due to being furloughed or having their pay deferred because of a state budget impasse or the temporary shutdown of the agency were they are employed, without pay.
Recently, the method used to calculate the number of individuals eligible for the WIC program was evaluated and an improved methodology was developed.