Created by experts, Kids Eat in Color is the leading resource for families seeking evidence-based information and strategies on child nutrition and feeding.
Author:
Charlotte Scott
Coauthors:
Jennifer Anderson, MSPH, RDN
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Inside: What is WIC? Learn about the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) in the U.S., including what foods are included and how to see if you qualify.
Nine million children face hunger today. (1) The WIC nutrition program was created to improve the health of women, infants and young children in the U.S.
Learn more about what WIC is, how to participate, what foods are included, and how you can play a role in supporting one of the largest food assistance programs in the United States.
WIC supports many women and children and has been associated with better infant weight, better infant cognition, less childhood mental health issues, less childhood grade repetition and more. (2,3)
Each month, participants are given cash or electronic vouchers to purchase WIC-approved items for free. These approved items are referred to as a WIC package.
Items selected for the WIC package are chosen to meet the nutritional needs of the individual. A typical package varies by the state along with the individual and their family needs.
How do you qualify for WIC?
To qualify for WIC, you must provide proof of the following:
Proof of income
Proof of identity
Proof of address
Proof of being pregnant, breastfeeding or having an infant or child younger than 5.
Things to keep in mind when applying
Kids do age out at 5 years old.
In some cases, having a referral for WIC services or additional assistance programs such as SNAP and or TANF, can automatically qualify you for WIC.
What’s the difference between WIC, TANF and SNAP?
WIC, TANF and SNAP are all programs funded by the government and all serve different purposes throughout the states. Here is a breakdown of the differences between them.
WIC (The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children)
The WIC program is designed for low-income women, infants and children younger than 5.
It allows people to purchase foods within dietary guidelines.
WIC provides peer breastfeeding support.
WIC packages combined with nutrition education are the main ways WIC impacts its participants.
SNAP (The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)
SNAP is a program for households with an income at or below 130% of the poverty line.
It provides food resources for families to buy foods they choose.
Note: WIC and SNAP can be used at the same time.
TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)
TANF provides states and territories with flexibility in operating programs
Provides monthly cash assistance payments that can be used for items outside of food
TANF helps low-income families with children achieve economic self-sufficiency.
What foods are included in WIC?
In general, WIC focuses on improving specific health outcomes that are important to pregnant and breastfeeding women, infants and children (i.e iron, potassium and protein).
Here are some examples of what foods WIC packages may include.
Sources of protein: tofu, mature legumes, canned fish, and most dairy to support pregnancy and post-partum healing
Sources of vitamin C: fruits and vegetables to help with iron absorption
Sources of iron, minerals and B vitamins: whole grains and breakfast infant cereal for infant development
Infant food (meat, fruits and vegetables)
What nutritional education does WIC offer?
WIC impacts most of its participants by combining WIC packages and nutrition education services.
Here are just some of the additional services WIC also provides:
Health screenings
Nutrition and breastfeeding counseling
Immunization screening and referral
Substance abuse referral
These services can be done through an appointment at a local WIC center. A WIC visit will be similar to a pediatricians office, where there is a waiting room, front desk, and several meeting rooms.
When meeting with a nutritionist, you will have the opportunity to sit with them and ask questions or discuss nutritional concerns.
Can I still use WIC if I have dietary restrictions?
If needed, WIC also accommodates medical induced dietary restrictions like celiac disease or severe food allergies. You can accomplish this by utilizing an appointment to turn in one of the two below.
Get a letter from your pediatrician/doctor verifying diagnosis.
Have your pediatrician/doctor fill out a WIC medical documentation form.
Where can WIC benefits be used?
Most major stores accept WIC nationwide. Here are a few stores that accept WIC vouchers.
Walmart
Whole Foods
Walgreens
CVS
Rite Aid
Target
Please note: Depending on your state, some farmers markets also accept WIC vouchers. Ask your WIC clinic for details on which locations qualify near you.
How can I support WIC?
You can advocate for and support WIC in many ways. Here are some ideas to get you started.
If you qualify for WIC, use your benefits. When more people use their benefits, more funding is likely to be given to support more individuals in the state.
Do your research on WIC packages in your state.
A new WIC package is being released. If making public comments is your go-to, it is important to stay up to date on upcoming revisions and current WIC packages. This can help make public comments more impactful.
Created by experts, Kids Eat in Color is the leading resource for families seeking evidence-based information and strategies on child nutrition and feeding.
Charlotte Scott is a Western Carolina University Alumni with a B.Sc in Nutrition and Dietetics and a Minor in Spanish. She is currently a Child Nutrition Fellow for Kids Eat In Color and a dietetic intern at Be Well Solutions Dietetic Internship. Charlotte is passionate about community service, nutrition counseling, and public health in the hope of opening her own center for families and children at financial risk. Volunteering is dear to her heart, and her curious nature intrigues a passion for expanding her knowledge in various fields.
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Inside: What is WIC? Learn about the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) in the U.S., including what foods are included and how to see if you qualify.
Nine million children face hunger today. (1) The WIC nutrition program was created to improve the health of women, infants and young children in the U.S.
Learn more about what WIC is, how to participate, what foods are included, and how you can play a role in supporting one of the largest food assistance programs in the United States.
In this article, we will answer:
What is WIC?
How do you qualify for WIC?
What’s the difference between WIC, SNAP and TANF?
What foods are included in WIC?
What nutritional education does WIC offer?
Can I still use WIC if I have dietary restrictions?
Where are WIC benefits accepted?
How can you support WIC?
What is WIC?
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) was built to help provide supplemental foods and nutrition counseling and services to:
WIC supports many women and children and has been associated with better infant weight, better infant cognition, less childhood mental health issues, less childhood grade repetition and more. (2,3)
Each month, participants are given cash or electronic vouchers to purchase WIC-approved items for free. These approved items are referred to as a WIC package.
Items selected for the WIC package are chosen to meet the nutritional needs of the individual. A typical package varies by the state along with the individual and their family needs.
How do you qualify for WIC?
To qualify for WIC, you must provide proof of the following:
Things to keep in mind when applying
What’s the difference between WIC, TANF and SNAP?
WIC, TANF and SNAP are all programs funded by the government and all serve different purposes throughout the states. Here is a breakdown of the differences between them.
WIC (The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children)
SNAP (The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)
TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)
What foods are included in WIC?
In general, WIC focuses on improving specific health outcomes that are important to pregnant and breastfeeding women, infants and children (i.e iron, potassium and protein).
Here are some examples of what foods WIC packages may include.
What nutritional education does WIC offer?
WIC impacts most of its participants by combining WIC packages and nutrition education services.
Here are just some of the additional services WIC also provides:
These services can be done through an appointment at a local WIC center. A WIC visit will be similar to a pediatricians office, where there is a waiting room, front desk, and several meeting rooms.
When meeting with a nutritionist, you will have the opportunity to sit with them and ask questions or discuss nutritional concerns.
Can I still use WIC if I have dietary restrictions?
If needed, WIC also accommodates medical induced dietary restrictions like celiac disease or severe food allergies. You can accomplish this by utilizing an appointment to turn in one of the two below.
Where can WIC benefits be used?
Most major stores accept WIC nationwide. Here are a few stores that accept WIC vouchers.
Please note: Depending on your state, some farmers markets also accept WIC vouchers. Ask your WIC clinic for details on which locations qualify near you.
How can I support WIC?
You can advocate for and support WIC in many ways. Here are some ideas to get you started.
A new WIC package is being released. If making public comments is your go-to, it is important to stay up to date on upcoming revisions and current WIC packages. This can help make public comments more impactful.
Child feeding resources from Kids Eat in Color
References