Welcome to WIC

Nutrients in WIC Foods

Nutrient	WIC Food Source	What It Does
Iron (a mineral)	Cereals, dried beans, peas, lentils, eggs	Necessary for making healthy red blood cells
Calcium (a mineral)	Milk, Cheese	Helps build strong teeth and bones and helps muscles work
Vitamin A	Carrots, milk (whole or fortified), cheese, eggs	Neccesary for healthy eyes, skin, and bones
Vitamin C	Citrus fruit juices, juices fortified with Vitamin C	Necessary for healthy gums, tissue, bones, and teeth. Helps the body use iron to make healthy red blood cells & help fight infections.
Vitamin D	Milk, Eggs	Necessary for strong bones and teeth
Folate	Orange juice, eggs, cereals, lentils, dried beans, peas	Assists in making healthy red blood cells
Protein	Milk, cheese, eggs, dried beans, peas, lentils, peanut butter, tuna	Necessary for growth, upkeep, and repair of body cells
Zinc (a mineral)	Dried beans, peas, entils, eggs, milk, cheese, cereals	Needed for cell growth and repair
Vitamin B6	Eggs, tuna	Needed for normal growth

All approved Missouri WIC cereals are fortified with vitamins or minerals.

WIC foods are a prescription for good health. Remember WIC foods are intended only for the person on WIC.

Since WIC is furnishing these nutritious supplemental foods, you can use your money to buy other nutritious foods like fruits, vegetables, meats and fish for you and your children.

What Should I Do to Help the WIC Program Work for Me?

Keep your WIC appointments. If you can't keep an appointment, please call your local WIC office right away. The WIC staff works hard to see you at your appointment time, so please try your best to be on time.
Always take your WIC ID Folder to your WIC appointments and to the store. Take your WIC Approved Food List with you to the store to help your shop.
Buy the right foods and the right amount with your check.
Use your WIC foods for you and your family. They can't be returned to the store for money or given away or sold to someone else.
Be sure to bring the information that the WIC staff needs when they ask for it.
Tell the WIC staff about any changes in your name, address or phone number.
If you are going to move, notify your WIC staff.

Learning About Your WIC Check

The WIC check shows (from left to right):

The food that you may purchase using this check
The purchase price allowed
The actual purchase price when used
The first date you may use this check
The actual date the check is used
The last date you may use this check

Using Your WIC Check

Before you go shopping tear off the checks you will be using.
Be sure to choose only the foods that are on your WIC check.
Separate your WIC foods from other foods you are buying.
Tell the cashier that you are using a WIC check.
Show the cashier your WIC ID Folder.
Sign your checks after the cashier enters the purchase price, don't sign before then.
The cashier will match your signature with one on your ID Folder.
If you get two months of checks, be sure to use the right month first.

What Happens At My WIC Appointments?

You will visit a Health Professional. He or she will give you suggestions and ideas about healthy eating for you and your children. At other times, you may join with other WIC participants for a nutrition or health class.

What Do I Need To Do To Stay On WIC?

During some of your visits, the WIC staff will check to see if you or your child is still eligible. This is called a certification. You will need to bring:

Proof of identification
Proof of your income
Proof of your address

How Long Can I Stay On WIC?

If you meet the income and health or nutrition guidelines, you can stay on WIC:

During pregnancy or breast-feeding until one year after your baby is born. If not breast-feeding, until six months after your baby is born or your pregnancy ended.
For infants and children: Until your child's nutrition problem has improved or until your child reaches his or her fifth birthday, whichever comes first.

Qualifications

Who is WIC for?

Women who are pregnant, breast-feeding or whose pregnancy recently ended.
Infants under 12 months old.
Children under 5 years old.

What can you get from WIC?

Checks to buy foods to keep you healthy.
Nutrition and health education to help you and your children eat well and be healthy.
Personal counseling about nutrition.
Support and help with breast-feeding.
Referrals to other health programs for you and your family.

To get WIC, you need to:

Meet the WIC income guidelines.
Have a need for improved nutrition.

Missouri WIC Income Qualifications

April 1, 2009 - March 31, 2010
Family Size	Annual Income	Monthly Income	Weekly Income
1	$20,665	$1,723	$398
2	$27,991	$2,333	$539
3	$35,317	$2,944	$680
4	$42,643	$3,554	$821
5	$49,969	$4,165	$961
6	$57,295	$4,775	$1,102
7	$64,621	$5,386	$1,243
8	$71,947	$5,996	$1,384
9	$79,273	$6,607	$1,525
10	$86,599	$7,217	$1,666
11	$93,925	$7,828	$1,807
12	$101,251	$8,438	$1,948
13	$108,577	$9,049	$2,089
14	$115,903	$9,659	$2,229
15	$123,229	$10,270	$2,370
16	$130,555	$10,880	$2,511
Each additional family member	Add $7,326	Add $611	Add $141

Pregnant women are counted as two family members.

Income guidelines are based on 185% poverty level.

In accordance with federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.

To file a complaint of discrimination, write
USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC
or call (voice and TDD).

USDA is an equal opportunity provider.

Breastfeeding

A Certified Breastfeeding Educator is available to answer all your breastfeeding questions.

Please call to make an appointment.

Home of Polk County’s “Live Well” Program