Using the WIC Program to Make Ends Meet

WIC is a program through the US Department of Agriculture that helps provide food and/or formula for infants, children, and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. The program also provides free nutritional and fitness education. To qualify for the program a family must be at or below 185% of the Federal poverty line. For example, as a family of four if we make less than $41,348 we qualify.

WIC is NOT food stamps. The program is offered through a different department and works much differently than food stamps. WIC provides very specific foods in specific amounts every month to children under five, infants, and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. For example. Right now I am breastfeeding, have a 2 year old, and an 11 month old. I receive checks in my name for milk, cheese, tuna, bread, fresh fruits and vegetables, juice, and beans. A few of the foods can be substituted, for instance I can get peanut butter or 4 cans of beans, whichever we prefer or need at the time. My two year old's checks can get basically all of those same foods, just in smaller quantities. My 11 month old gets jars of baby food. Enough for him to have 1 fruit, 1 vegetable, and 1 meat every day. If I wasn't breastfeeding I would not receive any checks and my 11 month old would get formula.

I have been on WIC since my oldest son was born almost 3 years ago. This program has been so helpful for us. Basics like Milk and cheese are so expensive, and these are the sorts of things that we can buy with our WIC checks. How much free food you get depends on how many people in your family qualify for WIC. With the three of us that are on WIC we probably get around $100 in free grocery essentials every months. Without WIC we really would have a hard time keeping enough food in the house.

Getting on WIC is very easy. Every state is a little different so it is probably best to start by visiting their website here and find your state. Most states have multiple offices, but any one that you call would be able to hook you up with the office closest to you so that you can make an appointment. Your first appointment is a certification appointment. They require that you bring proof of income, some type of proof of birth for your child (if he or she has already been born), and proof of residence (just any piece of mail that you've received with your name and address on it). At the appointment they will weigh and measure you and your child, as well as do a finger prick on you and older children to check for iron. Every few months you have a nutritional education appointment. At these appointments you meet with a nutritionist to receive information and talk about the common obstacles of having a healthy diet on a low income.

The Amazon capsule below shows just how expensive formula alone can be, and this is just one of the many things that the WIC program can help with. If you think you might qualify for WIC beneifits, I highly recommend looking into it.