WIC means healthy food at NO COST to people who qualify
If you are pregnant, nursing, or caring for children under the age of five, you may qualify to receive the benefits of WIC! The income requirements are surprising and many people qualify and don’t know it. Even working families can qualify to receive WIC benefits. If you need help stretching your grocery budget, you can start your application now, online.
What is WIC?
WIC stands for Women, Infants and Children. WIC’s goal is to improve the health and nutrition of income eligible families. It is well known that pregnancy and early childhood are among the most important times for growth and development and New York State WIC is here to help.
What does WIC provide?
WIC provides Breastfeeding, education and support services:
- Mom to mom breastfeeding support from peer counselors
- Breastfeeding education, counseling and support by trained breastfeeding staff
- Breast pumps available to moms that need them
- Special foods for breastfeeding moms for 6 months or longer
WIC provides monthly benefits for nutritious foods:
- Milk, cheese, cereal, vegetables, fruits, 100% juice, whole grain products, formula, eggs, baby food and more!
WIC provides Referrals to other services:
- Lactation specialist
- Well baby and child care
- Medicaid
- Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)/Food Stamps
- Family planning
- Head Start
Nutrition. Knowledge. Support.
That’s what makes WIC moms WICstrong.
The NYS Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) provides breastfeeding support, nutrition counseling, health education, health care referrals, referrals to other services, and nutritious foods to approximately 370,000 women, infants and children each month through 90 local providers (hospitals, local health departments and community based organizations) at 400 service sites.
The fundamental purpose of the program is to ensure the health and well-being of income eligible families with young children. WIC provides individually tailored food prescriptions issued to each participant for specific types and brands of foods that meet strict nutrition requirements.
These food benefits, valued at over $300 million annually, can be redeemed at approximately 2,800 authorized retail food vendors across the state.
