WIC Program - Women, Infants, Children

The Special Supplemental Nutriton Progam for Women, Infants and Children. (WIC) provides nutritious foods including low-fat or fat-free milk, whole grains, vegetables and fruits, breastfeeding support or formula to low- income pregnant or breastfeeding women, infants and children up to age five.

WIC has been shown to improve the health of pregnant women, new mothers and their infants and children. The foods provided through WIC are a good source of essential nutrients that are often missing from the diets of women and young children. WIC participants have longer healthier pregnancies and fewer premature births.

What's New with WIC?

The WIC Program is providing a new assortment of foods, enhanced breastfeeding support efforts and participant centered nutrition education.

Providing vegetables and fruits to WIC moms and their children is one of the major changes to the new WIC food packages. During the nine-month period that began in January 2009, nearly 3.6 million checks were issued, allowing 129,000 women and 266,000 children to purchase fresh, frozen or canned vegetables and fruits each month. The total value of the WIC vegetable and fruit benefit during this period was almost $ 23.9 million.

Do I qualify for WIC?

You can receive WIC benefits if you meet all four of these requirements:

  1. You must be
    • A pregnant woman of any age;
    • An infant or child up to five years of age;
    • A mother of a baby that is up to six months of age; OR
    • A breastfeeding mother of a baby that is up to 12 months of age.
  2. You must be a resident of New York State, but you do not need to be a U.S. citizen.
  3. You must meet the income eligibility guidelines OR be receiving benefits from Food Stamps, Medicaid or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.
  4. Your medical or nutritional needs must be assessed by a WIC health care professional to determine which benefits are available to you.

How do I apply for WIC benefits?

Call your local agency to make an appointment.

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Equal Opportunity Notice

WIC is an equal-opportunity provider.