WIC
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for: Women, Infants, & Children
WIC provides nutrition education and healthy foods to:
* Women who are pregnant, who are breastfeeding their babies, or who have given birth in the last six months.
* Infants to 12 months of age; and
* Children age 1 to 5 years of age.
HOW DO I APPLY FOR WIC?
Contact your county health department for an appointment. Our staff will:
* Request that you show proof of your identity and residence, (several methods can be used).
* Determine if you meet income guidelines of the program. To qualify you must show proof that:
o You receive KTAP, Food Stamps or Medicaid, or
o A pregnant woman or infant in your household receives Medicaid, or
o A member of your household receives KTAP, or
o Your household income is at or below 185% of poverty:
Household
MonthlyAnnual
MonthlyAnnualSize IncomeIncome
IncomeIncome1 $1,604 $19,240
$1,604 $19,2402 $2,159 $25,900
$2,159 $25,9003 $2,714 $32,560
$2,714 $32,5604 $3,269 $39,220
$3,269 $39,2205 $3,824 $45,880
$3,824 $45,8806 $4,379 $52,540
$4,379 $52,540Effective April 1, 2008-March 31, 2009
Household size includes unborn baby.
Persons who receive medicaid or Food Stamp benefits automatically meet income requirements.
WHAT WILL I RECEIVE?
HEALTHY FOODS – WIC checks will be given to you monthly for the purchase of specific foods. Foods you can receive are:
* Milk and Cheese
* Vitamin C-Rich Juices
* Iron-Rich Cereals
* Eggs
* Dried Beans or Peanut Butter
* Tuna Fish/Carrots (Breastfeeding Mother Package)
* Iron Fortified Infant Formula
NUTRITION EDUCATION – you will receive nutrition information to help you choose nutritious foods to improve your and your family’s health. WIC helps mothers make infant feeding choices such as encouragement to breastfeed and proper introduction of solid foods into the infants diet the first year of life. Dietary guidance and promotion of physical activity is offered to all qualifying individuals.
HEALTH CARE – WIC can help you find regular health care and childhood shots if needed.
WHY IS WIC IMPORTANT?
* Healthy foods help children grow and develop normally.
* Good nutrition helps to protect your who family against health problems.
* WIC helps your community by building strong, healthy families.
CONTACT YOUR COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO SEE IF YOU QUALIFY!The Special 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.
Breastfeeding Information and Help
Pregnant women, new mothers and their family members often have questions about breastfeeding. They need information and help to get started and to continue breastfeeding. Our agency offers counseling through registered nurses and nutritionists. Call your local health department for information.
Websites for more information about breastfeeding:
Kentucky Dept. of Public Health Breastfeeding Webpage
Le Leche League of the USA
