what exactly is WIC and when and where can i apply? what do i get from it?

Question

has anyone ever gotten it? personal stories would be helpful...

Answer 1

I was 17 when I got pregnant. I knew I couldn't afford baby formula so my friend told me about wic. they will give you certain foods while you are pregnant and then once you have the baby they will either give you formula or if you breast feed they will give you certain food to keep you healthy. They will go by how much income you bring in. But honestly my husband makes $20.00 an hour and they said we qualified for this baby. my third. But we don't want to use them when so many other people need it more than us.

Answer 2

Too busy to read the other responses so I hope I am not repeating anything.....

WIC=Women Infant Children Program....It is designed to help pregnant women, infants and children with nutritional counseling/supplement.

You can apply for it once you have found out that you are pregnant or if you have a child that is under age 5. If you have an income, you will have to show proof of your income because they determine eligibility based on your income only, and how many people are in your household. As a pregnant woman, they count that as two.

It's a great program....don't let anyone tell you that you don't qualify....unless they work at the WIC office. Look in your phone book call the Department of Social Services and ask for the WIC number...actually there is a phone number for info....just look for your state and call....


http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/Contacts/tollfreenumbers.htm

Answer 3

I have wic. I dont remember exactly what it stands for. But its like a step down from food stamps. Its just for pregnant women and babies. They provide a pregnant women with milk, eggs, cheese, juice, and cereal. When your baby is born they will give you formula if you need it. It is very helpful. If you have medicaid or medical insurance through the government I know you automatically qualify. So you might want to talk to your case worker if you have one. Your doctor may even know where you can go to sign up for wic. When the baby comes its a real life saver because you never run out of milk. And if you do you can go to the wic office and they will give you more.

Answer 4

WIC is a supplemental nutrition program for Women, Infants, and Children. It provides you with checks for a certain amount of food per month for you and baby until 6 months post-partum if you are not nursing and longer if you are. It'll include formula, juices, infant cereal, regular cereal, baby food, eggs, lentils, peanut butter, milk... and you'll also be provided with recipes to incorporate these items into your diet in new ways. Here in Wisconsin, they also provide you with Farmers' Market checks in the summer so you can get fresh, locally-grown produce. Maybe your office will too.

Ask your doctor about WIC information. Apply for it sooner rather than later, since it can take a while to get an appointment and pregnant women are eligible. Don't wait till baby is born to start the program.

I was on WIC with my first child and it was a huge blessing. I tried nursing and we couldn't do it, so we had to switch to formula. Talk about expensive! We wouldn't have been able to make ends meet without WIC. Beyond the financial relief, they were invaluable resources for questions I had about nutrition, portion sizes for baby, etc. And they celebrated every milestone with baby and me.

Most every grocery store accepts WIC checks and most have helpful "WIC-Approved" labels on shelves underneath products you can purchase with your checks. Of course, you'll be given a whole list of things that qualify when you get your folder, so it's nearly impossible to get it wrong.

It's a great program. Congratulations for looking into it, and good luck with your pregnancy!

Answer 5

It stands for Women Infants and Children. You have to be within a certain income bracket, but they give you checks to pay for things that you need at the grocery store. I was on it when my little girl was a baby. I got her formula, cereal and juice free. You need to go to your Health Department to apply. Or they might be able to tell you if you qualify over the phone. And, a lot of times if you don't qualify for Food Stamps or Medicaid, you can still qualify for WIC. The resources are there, so go for it! The worse thing that could happen is they say no.

Good Luck! =)

Answer 6

Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children - better known as the WIC Program - serves to safeguard the health of low-income women, infants, & children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk by providing nutritious foods to supplement diets, information on healthy eating, and referrals to health care.

you call to make an appointment here is a list of all the phone # http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/Contacts/tollfreenumbers.htm

you get a wic check that you use in a store it can buy Milk,cheese,peanut butter,eggs,beens, after the babys born it also includes formula.

Answer 7

WIC stands for Women, Infant & Children. Its a program to help low income mothers get the nutrition they need while pregnant and also to be able to give the right nutrition to their children. It helps out with the cost of Formula and essential foods like milk, cheese, bread, etc.
My sister had WIC and it was a blessing. I would check with your local Child Services Center and they may be able to tell you how to get WIC or where to apply.
Good Luck.

Answer 8

WIC give you the necessary things needed to eat when pregnant and the supply baby formula when the baby is born. You can inquire about WIC through your hospital. You receive WIC for yourself up until the baby is six months and then you just get for the baby. You will get baby formula, baby cereal and juice for the baby until he or she is one. Then they give you whole milk, cheese, eggs, juice, cereal and peanut butter. If the hospital dosent tell you anything call your local welfare office they should know a location for a WIC office near you. And no WIC is not public assistance

Answer 9

WIC is a program designed for women and children, who meet certain income guidelines. For women, during and after your pregnancy, WIC provides a variety dairy products, protein, cereal and juice. For infants WIC provides formula and as they grow WIC provides juice, cereal and dairy products as well.

I receive WIC for both of my children and myself. It is a wonderful program as it not only helps with food, but WIC also maintains weight checks on both the mother and child, iron, and offers information about feeding your child and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

You can find the phone number in your phone book. They will need copies of your household information and employment in order to put you on the program.

Its definately worth being on because they are always able to answer any questions you might have about pregnancy and afterwards (as long as it diet related).

Answer 10

Most of the time WIC is given out at the health department for whichever city you live in. You need to take proof of address income and you'll have your hemoglobin checked too. You get things like milk, eggs, cereal, beans or peanut butter, and and juice and cheese. It saves a lot of money definitely go get it.