WOMEN, INFANTS & CHILDREN (WIC)

WIC Newsletter | Schedule of WIC clinics throughout Saratoga County | Additional Resources

What is WIC?                                                                                                                                                         

WIC is a federally funded supplemental nutrition program for Women, Infants, and Children. 
WIC is for income eligible pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, infants and children up to age five.

WIC provides:

• Breastfeeding and peer counseling support
• Nutrition education focused on your needs
• Ideas for easy physical activities that are fun and healthy
• Convenient hours, locations and services
• Referrals to other health and social services
• Individualized food packages
• Farmers Market Coupons (seasonal) 
• And more!

To make it easier for you to have the paperwork you may need for your WIC appointments, some WIC forms are now posted on the New York State Department of Health website:
http://www.health.state.ny.us/prevention/nutrition/wic/

What foods will I receive on WIC?

WIC foods may include low-fat milk (whole milk for children 12 – 24 months old), cheese, eggs,  iron-fortified hot or cold cereal,  beans, peas and lentils, peanut butter, 100% juice, whole grain bread products, tortillas, brown rice, fresh, frozen or canned fruits and vegetables.  Your WIC checks may be used in authorized stores throughout New York State.  Farmers Market coupons are distributed during the summer months enabling WIC participants to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at local authorized farmers' markets.

Breastfeeding is strongly encouraged.  Breastfeeding support can be provided by our certified lactation counselors and our trained peer counselors if requested or needed.  Call 518-587-8848 if you have questions!

If your baby is not breastfed, WIC provides specific infant formulas.  The current WIC contract formulas are:

• Enfamil Premium Infant Formula,
• Nestle Good Start Soy Formula (until June 30, 2011),
• Enfamil Prosobee Soy Formula (beginning July 1, 2011),
• Enfamil Gentlease Infant Formula and
• Enfamil AR Infant Formula. 

In some cases, infants may require a formula other than the WIC contract milk- or soy-based formulas.  The participant must obtain a ‘WIC Medical Documentation Form’ completed by the physician or health care provider. 

Please note:   If your baby is on a ‘standard’ milk- or soy-based formula, New York State WIC can only provide the New York State WIC contract formulas (see above).  Other brands of the ‘standard’ milk-or soy-based formulas are not provided.

How do I find out if I qualify for WIC?   

Call the WIC office at (518)587-8848. We’ll ask a few questions and if it sounds like you might be eligible for WIC, we will schedule an appointment for you! 

Income guidelines (based on gross income)
A pregnant woman increases the household size by one.

Effective 4/30/2011 – 6/30/2012

What do I bring to my WIC appointment?  

You need to bring the following to each WIC certification appointment:

1. Each family member applying for WIC benefits must be present at the WIC certification appointment.  Height, weight and a simple blood test for hemoglobin will be taken if current medical information is not available or provided.  (Hemoglobin is required for children over 9 months of age and prenatal, post-partum and breastfeeding women applying for WIC).


2. Proof of all household income - Bring proof of ALL income for everyone in the household (before taxes and deductions are taken out).  Income includes:

• Paycheck stubs – we need the most recent 4 weeks for everyone working in your household (if you have direct depost make sure you pick up your stubs for your WIC appointment!)  
  
• LES (military most recent full month)
• Proof of unemployment benefits
• Proof of child support / alimony        
• Self-employed only - may use prior year income tax form                              
  
• Medicaid card(s) for everyone on Medicaid
• Food Stamps – bring the current Food Stamp Action Letter listing names on the Food Stamp case and eligibility period
  
• Foster care payments

3. Proof of Identification for each applicant (ex., driver's license, Social Security card, birth certificate)
4. Proof of residency - recent postmarked envelope, lease agreement, mortgage document, your utility bill, cable bill (no PO Boxes)
5. Immunization records for each child applying for WIC
6. Proof of pregnancy - If you are pregnant you need to bring proof of pregnancy

If you would like more information on the WIC program, please call 587-8848.
We are also available to come and speak with your group about the WIC program.