What is WIC?
The Women’s, Infants, and Children (WIC) Supplemental Nutrition Program is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and provides supplemental foods and nutrition education. The purpose of the WIC program is to prevent and improve nutrition-related health problems in its target population. This is a free service for those who qualify.
Who is Eligible for WIC?
- Pregnant women
- Breastfeeding women who have had a baby in the last 12 months
- Women who have had a baby in the last 6 months
- Infants
- Children up to 5 years
To be eligible, you or your child must:
- Live in North Carolina
- Live in a household with income at or below WIC guidelines (or be on Medicaid or Food stamps (SNAP)
- Have a health risk factor based on criteria such as:
- -Height and weight
- -Body mass index (BMI)
- -Blood test for low iron
- -Lead test
- -Health history
- -Diet history
- -and other factors evaluated by a Nutritionist
What are the Income Guidelines for the WIC Program?
The WIC Income and Application Guidelines are straightforward. To sign up for WIC services you must visit the WIC office at your county’s health department. Please make sure you have the following information:
- Identification
- Proof of residency
- Provide proof of income
- A current Medicaid Card will cover all of the above requirements*
* A person who currently receives Medicaid, Work First, or Food and Nutrition Services [EBT] (Food Stamps) automatically meets the income eligibility guidelines for WIC.
Please note that WIC income requirements change each year on April 1. To see the most current income guidelines, please click here.
What are the Benefits of the WIC Program?
The WIC program provides basic nutritious foods to eligible pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, as well as infants and children. These foods are rich in protein, iron, calcium, fiber and vitamins. Participants exchange WIC food instruments (which list specific foods and quantities) and cash-value vouchers (for fruits and vegetables) at authorized retail grocery stores and pharmacies. In some cases, special formulas are distributed directly to the participant from the WIC local agency.
Research has shown that with nutrition education and supplemental foods, the diets of WIC participants and families have improved. This has lead to decreased infant mortality, morbidity, and low birth weight and a decrease in the prevalence of anemia (low iron). For more information on how WIC works, please click here.
How To Apply
For more information on how to apply for the WIC Program, please call or email your county’s health department, or click here.
For more information on the WIC Program’s history, eligibility, benefits, and resources please click here.
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USDA Nondiscrimination Statement Updated December 2013
English:
The U.S. Department of Agriculture prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the bases of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employment activities.
If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA ProgramDiscriminationComplaintForm, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or any USDA office, or call (866) 632‐
9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250‐9410, by fax (202) 690‐7442 or email at program.intake@usda.gov.
Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities my contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877‐8339; or (800) 845‐6136 (Spanish).
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Spanish:
El Departamento de Agricultura de los Estados Unidos (por sus siglas en inglés “USDA”) prohíbe
la discriminación contra sus clientes, empleados y solicitantes de empleo por raza, color, origen nacional, edad, discapacidad, sexo, identidad de género, religión, represalias y, según corresponda, convicciones políticas, estado civil, estado familiar o paternal, orientación sexual, o si los ingresos de una persona provienen en su totalidad o en parte de un programa de asistencia pública, o información genética protegida de empleo o de cualquier programa o actividad realizada o financiada por el Departamento. (No todos los criterios prohibidos se aplicarán a todos los programas y/o actividades laborales).
Si desea presentar una queja por discriminación del programa de Derechos Civiles, complete el USDAProgramDiscriminationComplaintForm (formulario de quejas por discriminación del programa del USDA), que puede encontrar en internet en http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, o en cualquier oficina del USDA, o llame al (866) 632‐9992 para solicitar el formulario. También puede escribir una carta con toda la información solicitada en el formulario. Envíenos su formulario de queja completo o carta por correo postal a U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication.
1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250‐9410, por fax al (202) 690‐7442 o por correo electrónico a program.intake@usda.gov.
Las personas sordas, con dificultades auditivas, o con discapacidad del habla pueden contactar al USDA por medio del Federal Relay Service (Servicio federal de transmisión) al (800) 877-8339 o (800) 845-6136 (en español).
El USDA es un proveedor y empleador que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades.
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