Wic

greenprix98 · **Wic**

Okay, I just have a curious question, would anyone mind sharing with me about the wic program and how it works, I know it varies by state, but what are the benefits, is it an easy program to use, does it really help you, and is it hard to get accepted? And anything else you can tell me, TIA!!

Missystuy · 05-17-2008, 11:14 AM

From what I know about WIC, its not hard to get accepted. The income levels vary by state, but I do know they are fairly high levels for so many people. You go weekly to a case worker (I think thats what they are called) and depending on the ages of your children and how many, you get free items/staples such as milk and peanut butter. they sit down with you and discuss nutrition and helpful things, they advocate breastfeeding and just are to help families get back on thier feet.

A girl I used to know had 4 kids, and got tons of stuff, like milk, cereal, cheese, bread, peanut butter, eggs, and stuff like that. In fact, they gave her SO much stuff, she couldn't eat it all so she would give it away.

lizer3 · 05-17-2008, 11:28 AM

I am on the WIC program it is the only assistance program we quailify for. While pregnant and till the baby is 1 you go monthly after that you go once every two months. While prego and breastfeeding you get milk, cheese, tuna, eggs, peanut butter, dried beans and carrots. After the baby is 1 you don't get tuna and peanut butter. I have a family of 6 and the income level is over 40,000 a year.

HTH Have a great day,

Samantharae · 05-17-2008, 12:16 PM

In missouri children up to the age of 5 receive it (based on income) get 5 gallons of milk, 1 jar of peanut butter, 32 ounces of juice, 1lb of cheese, 2 dozen eggs, and a ton of cereal and beans.

Once they hit two years old they get two percent milk. One year to two years they get whole.. Now for infants, you get juice, baby cereal and formula...

Noahsmommy · 05-17-2008, 12:52 PM

Well I live in indiana and was on wic. Its not hard to qualify. Its income based but if you or your children have hoosier Healthwise you are automatically qualified for wic. Pregnant women get 5 and half gallons of milk 36 ounces of cereal some juice and cheese and eggs and peanut butter and Infants who are on formula get 9 cans of powdered formula (Juice and cereal depending on age) I know different counties have different types of how you make the formula (powdered or constrate) I think if you get the cons. you get 32 cans. But ounces wise the powdered is better. I am not sure what exactly they get after they are one I think it is the same as the pregnant woman. It goes up to age 5.

melsb · 05-17-2008, 01:57 PM

I've also read that some states allow their WIC programs to buy stuff from your local Farmer's Market.

Noahsmommy · 05-17-2008, 02:30 PM

Oh yeah you get 18 dollars in farmers market vouchers as well

Cookie2 · 05-17-2008, 03:26 PM

DD was on WIC for a while. Because she was in foster care and received Medicaid and TANF, she was supposed to qualify automatically but because she was over 2-yrs old, she also needed to qualify based on a medical condition. In her case, her iron count was one point too low and she was in the less-than-5th percentile for height and weight. We didn't need the help with groceries but I certainly needed someone looking at her and figuring out why she wasn't growing!

It was the nurse / caseworker who told me, "Take the kid to McDonalds and get her a hamburger, for goodness sakes!" Up until that point, DD had a wonderful, healthy diet - lots of cheese, peanut butter, whole grains, fruits, veggies, chicken and fish. However, she hated eating red meat. I was astonished that a nurse would recommend starting DD on the McD's habit at such a young age, but that little bit of iron from the red meat did the trick - and fortunately DD rarely eats french fries.

It was also the WIC nurse that helped me get DD evaluated for her heart murmur, which was an innocent condition, but the evaluation helped us find out that she had silent asthma which was inhibiting her growth.

If I remember correctly, the WIC checks paid for milk, juice, cereal, peanut butter and cheese (2lbs a month!) It didn't pay for a lot of her groceries - heck, they should have paid for her multivitamins. There were some months when I didn't bother to spend all the checks (which are returned to the state if you don't use them). Usually I didn't bother using the check for juice since DD was picky about what she'd drink and they don't pay for fresh bottled. When checking out, you should put the WIC food first on the conveyor belt with the check on top. The only hassle was when I selected the wrong thing (usually not the right size container) or the cashier didn't know how to do the transaction correctly.

When I'm grocery shopping, I still look for the little WIC-approved tags on the shelves. It is a little indicator that those foods are a little better for you than others.

AyeOhKay · 05-17-2008, 03:51 PM

This website should answer lots of your questions: WIC

Income guidelines:
Income Eligibility Guidelines 07-08

Food Packages:
WIC Food Package

WIC is a program of the USDA Food and Nutrition Services. There may be some variation from state to state and county to county. I was a contracted employee for Indiana WIC, and these guidelines are consistent with what I observed in our local office.

It is definitely worth the time and effort to get qualified. They are a tremendous source of education and support in nutritional matters as well.

Edited to add: Here is the Indiana program link: http://www.govbenefits.gov/govbenefi...ow_1bid= 2059.

I might add that I have never heard of anyone who felt belittled by WIC staff. All staff that I have worked with are very supportive and non-judgmental.

Happymom · 05-17-2008, 04:36 PM

The income guidlines for pregnant women and children under 2 are quite high. (Meaning it is easy to qualify!) It is harder to qualify for kids ages 2-5. It was a great help for me, especially with formula!!!