History:
The Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children (more commonly known as WIC) provides nutritious foods, nutrition education, and access to health care to low-income, nutritionally at-risk, pregnant, post-partum, and/or breastfeeding women, as well as infants and children up to age five.  WIC’s nutrient-rich supplemental foods help prevent nutrition-related health problems and also help promote optimal growth and development in children. 

WIC is primarily a federally-funded program and administered in New York State by the Department of Health (DOH). 

Eligibility:
To be eligible for WIC, participants must meet the following four criteria

  • New York State residency (it is not necessary to be a US citizen or permanent resident).
  • Fit into one of the following categories:  pregnant woman, breastfeeding woman, postpartum woman, infant up to one year old, child under age five.
  • Live at or below 185% of federal poverty level.
  • And/or certified by health professional as nutritionally at-risk. 

Participants automatically meet the WIC income eligibility test if they receive food stamp benefits, TANF, or Medicaid. 

Benefits:
Participants receive vouchers for nutritious foods.  They also receive nutrition education, Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) vouchers, breastfeeding promotion, and information on how to live a healthy lifestyle.  Vouchers for nutrient-rich foods such as milk, formula, eggs, peanut butter, fruits/vegetables, and tuna fish can be redeemed at certified stores and vendors.  FMNP provides participants with additional vouchers to be redeemed at certain farmers markets during certain times of the year.  In addition, many local agencies provide breastfeeding information and support by staff and peer counselors. 

In order to better meet the nutritional needs of WIC participants, New York implemented new food packages in January 2009 that include available options such as whole grains and tofu, jarred baby foods, and cash-value checks for vegetables and fruits.  To learn more about the new food packages, visit: http://www.nyhealth.gov/nutrition.

Funding:
WIC is a discretionary program, and therefore the number of participants served is determined by the amount of funding allocated to the program. 

How to Apply:
To locate the nearest WIC local office, contact the DOH’s Growing Up Healthy Hotline at: 1-800-522-5006 or visit: www.nyhealth.gov/nutrition.

For information about WIC:

WIC Child Nutrition Reauthorization powerpoint