12 Facts About WIC Food Benefits That You Should Know

Here are 12 facts about the program that you should know.

1. WIC helps these specific groups boost their nutrition, who otherwise may not be able to due to living in a low-income household:

• Women who are in the pregnant, postpartum, or breastfeeding stages
• Infants
• Children up to five years of age

While WIC is reserved explicitly for those three main categories, applicants must also be considered a “nutrition risk” to qualify for benefits.

2. Nutrition risk is determined by a health official.

This descriptor that’s essential to be eligible for WIC benefits breaks down into two categories:

Medically-based risks – Due to anemia, underweight, pregnancy complications, poor pregnancy outcomes.
Dietary risks – Due to insufficient nutrition practices or falling below current nutritional guidelines.

3. You must meet income requirements to qualify for WIC.

If you make more than a certain amount, your household may not be eligible to receive WIC benefits.

4. You must meet state residency requirements.

You’ll need to live in the state where you apply for WIC benefits.

5. WIC is offered in all 50 states.

It’s also available in these areas:

• Washington D.C.
• Guam
• Puerto Rico
• Virgin Islands
• Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
• American Samoa
• 34 Indian Tribal Organizations

6. The federal government funds WIC.

But states administer it via different locales, such as:

• County health departments
• Hospitals
• Schools
• Indian Health Service facilities

7. WIC has been around for a while.

If it’s new to you, know that WIC is not new to the United States, as it began in 1974.

8. There’s a tool to determine your WIC eligibility.

You can test whether you may be eligible for WIC using the program’s PreScreening Tool found here.

9. You can apply for WIC locally.

The PreScreening Tool above comes in handy to help get the ball rolling in your quest for WIC benefits. To make it official, however, apply through your local WIC agency. You will need to make an appointment, and they will tell you what to bring so you’re prepared.

10. Participation in other assistance programs is a good thing.

If you receive some other form of government benefits, it can help you qualify for WIC instead of making you ineligible. This is good news if you were worried about already receiving government assistance negatively impacting your WIC eligibility.

11. WIC benefits are offered in two primary forms.

You can either receive WIC foods to your door or at a distribution site, such as a warehouse. You can also get an EBT card to use when purchasing your WIC groceries at participating stores.

12. WIC focuses on nutritious foods.

Here are some examples of what you’ll be able to receive or buy via your WIC benefits:

• Eggs
• Milk
• Cheese
• Yogurt
• Peanut butter
• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Infant cereal
• Baby foods
• Canned fish
• Whole wheat bread
• Juice
• Infant formula
• Medical foods