As a social worker, I have walked with many women who wanted to continue their unexpected pregnancy but didn't know how they’d afford to feed another person. One useful program that many people overlook is the Special Supplemental Nutrition for Women, Infants, and Children—commonly known as WIC.

This is a temporary benefit offered to women and children to help them through a difficult financial season. Many people have used it for a season and gone on to create a great financial situation for their families.

What is WIC?

WIC is a government assistance program focused on protecting the health of low-income women, infants, and children who may be at nutritional risk. WIC provides temporary special supplemental foods to meet the needs of each participant.

Breastfeeding and Formula Support

Although WIC promotes breastfeeding as an optimal nutrition source for infants, it also provides iron-fortified formula for infants.

Food for Mothers and Children

Some WIC approved foods include infant cereal, adult cereal, fruit or vegetable juice, cheese, milk, eggs, peanut butter, beans, canned fish, baby foods, whole-grain bread, and others.

Nutrition Information

WIC provides nutritious food to families, education on nutrition, breastfeeding support and referrals to health care and social service agencies.

WIC can be confused with food stamps; however, it is a more limited program. WIC only provides food to supplement a family’s diet based on special requirements. Your local WIC office must determine if you are in need of this supplemental nutrition.

Are You Eligible?

You may be wondering, are all women, infants, and children eligible for WIC? The answer is no. The categories that are taken into consideration are residential, income, and nutritional risk.

In order to apply in your state, you must be a resident of that state and show proof of residency. Although you can be employed and still qualify for WIC benefits, you must fall within the income guidelines to qualify. Eligibility based on your income doesn’t guarantee approval for WIC benefits.

You may also be eligible for benefits with WIC if you are participating in other programs including SNAP, Medical, TANF, or other state-administered programs.

A key factor in eligibility for WIC programs is Nutritional Risk. Here’s a list of possible nutritional risk factors that may be considered:

• Anemia
• Prenatal Weight Gain
• Factors with the infant growth, height, weight, or head circumference
• Poor nutrition or poor nutritional practices
• Smoking or Substance Abuse
• History of Foster Care or Domestic Violence
• Chronic Illness or genetic conditions
• History of birth complications/poor pregnancy outcomes

WIC is a short-term program. Benefits last from around 6 months to a year and then the individual would have to reapply.

If you still are wondering if you may be eligible, there is a helpful tool that will help you determine if you may be eligible to receive WIC benefits.

• You can use the pre-screening tool.
• You can also use the benefits finder tool which is a lot more in-depth to check your eligibility for other programs-.

How do I apply?

Screening and Application

After you complete this pre-screening tool, you will learn whether or not you MAY be eligible (this does not guarantee that you will be approved for benefits). It is important to ask your local office about their requirements. Some states allow you to make your WIC appointment and submit your documentation online. The application process may vary from state to state so it is important to locate your local office and contact them to learn what they require.

Appointments with the WIC Office

At your first appointment, you will show your local WIC staff your documentation and answer questions about your family’s health and nutrition. It is likely they will weigh, measure, and check iron levels for you if you are pregnant and your child(ren). After this, they will determine whether or not you meet the requirement to obtain WIC benefits. Just as the application process varies from state to state, your first appointment may look slightly different depending on your state.

Lindsey’s Experience with WIC

We were both college students, living far away from home, working, and pregnant with our first child. We knew we needed financial support to raise this child. A friend told me about WIC, so I applied.

After we were approved, which was a lot of paperwork, and then we went into the office every three months. At every appointment, they would check the height and weight, discuss nutrition and feeding habits, and discuss doctor’s appointments. At the appointment every six months, they would also check iron levels through a finger prick to obtain blood.

The biggest challenge of WIC was when they utilized checks instead of cards. It took a significant amount of time at the store when you had to check out, especially if the cashier didn’t have experience. People would make snide remarks and avoid being around you if they saw you with your WIC binder at the store and were rude because it took a long time.

But without WIC, I wouldn’t have been able to afford the formula for my son when we had to switch from breastfeeding to formula at six months.