How to Apply for WIC

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This post is originally authored at the home security blog at FamilyHomeSecurity.com.

There might be circumstances when you aren’t able to financially provide for yourself while pregnant. Or, an unplanned pregnancy could come at a time when your family is already struggling financially. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with applying for financial assistance while pregnant, especially for food assistance programs. During (and after) pregnancy, you will need to make sure that you and your baby remain healthy. Here’s a bit of information which will guide you through the steps of applying for WIC.

What is WIC?

WIC is the commonly used abbreviation for the “Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children“. The WIC program is a federal assistance program, which is run by the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture). The program is designed to provide nutrition and healthcare for pregnant, breastfeeding women as well as infants and children under five years old. Here’s some more information about WIC from the Food & Nutrition Service.

Am I Eligible for WIC?

To be able to receive assistance from WIC, you do need to meet certain guidelines. These guidelines may vary slightly by state, though most of them are very similar. The main requirement is that you are pregnant, breastfeeding or have a child under five years of age. Also, you need to meet income requirements in order to be considered for this program. Your income needs to be between 100% and 185% of the Federal Poverty income guideline. This is a scaled requirement, depending on how many people are living in your household. For example, in 2011 the income requirement to be considered for WIC required a two-person household to make from $300 to $520 per week.

What Should I Do First?

You should first contact the state WIC office in your area, and see if you need to make an appointment. Some WIC offices will allow you to have walk-in appointments, but this varies depending on the state/county. Call your local WIC office, and ask what the requirements in your state are for making an appointment. Here’s a list of state WIC agencies, which is sorted alphabetically.

What Will I Need to Bring?

Most offices will give you a list of documents that you will need to bring with you to your WIC appointment. In most cases, you will need to provide proof of residency in the state where you’re filing for WIC assistance. In most cases, this means bringing a copy of your signed lease, or a utility bill that is less than 60 days old. You will also need to bring your official identification documents, such as your birth certificate and social security card. A photo ID, such as a license or non-driver’s ID will also be required.

If you’ve recently moved to a different state, it’s usually not necessary for you to apply for a new photo ID. However, you will still need to provide proof of residency in the state where you’re applying for assistance.

Where Can I Get More Information?

For more information about WIC, here are a few resources:

• About WIC
• How to Apply for WIC
• WIC State Agency List