WIC Participant Handbook for Women, Infants, and Children

The WIC Participant Handbook for Women, Infants, and Children booklet is bachelor in Portable Certificate Format in several translations.

  • WIC Participant Handbook for Women, Infants, and Children - English (PDF, 673KB, 13pg)
  • Manual para participantes para mujeres, bebés y niños - Spanish (PDF, 697KB, 24pg)
  • WIC Participant Handbook for Women, Infants, and Children - Chinese (PDF, 5.41MB, 24pg)
  • WIC Participant Handbook for Women, Infants, and Children - Russian (PDF, 708KB, 24pg)
  • Livret du participant pour les femmes, nourrissons et enfants - French (PDF, 695KB, 24pg)

Welcome to WIC

This booklet tells you:

  • What is WIC?
  • How to use your WIC checks.
  • Your rights and responsibilities as a WIC participant.

Your questions and comments are always welcome.

- The New York Country WIC Program

Cook together. Eat together. Talk together.

Brand mealtime a family unit time.

Eat fruits and veggies... and your kids volition too!

Fresh, frozen or canned... all are good choices.

Make meals and memories together.

  • Encourage your child to try foods.
  • Talk about fun and happy things.
  • Focus on the meal and each other.

Tabular array of Contents

  • What is WIC?
  • Who may use?
  • Where practice I apply?
  • What is certification?
  • What do I need to bring to the WIC office?
  • What happens after I am certified?
  • How long can I get WIC?
  • Breastfeeding support
  • What is diet instruction?
  • What are WIC foods?
    • WIC foods for babies
    • WIC foods for women and children
  • Boosted WIC foods for breastfeeding women
  • A sample WIC check
  • Tips for using your WIC checks
    • Fruits and vegetables checks just
  • Your WIC ID
  • Your rights as a WIC participant
  • Your responsibilities as a WIC participant
  • Removal from the WIC Program
  • Questions and Answers

What is WIC?

WIC stands for Women, Infants and Children.

WIC'southward goal is to improve the wellness and diet of moms and kids. It is well known that pregnancy and early childhood are amongst the nigh important times for growth and evolution.

Who may use?

  • Pregnant women
  • Breastfeeding women
  • Women who have only had a baby including:
    • those who breastfeed their babies
    • those who do not breastfeed their babies
  • Infants and children under the age of five

Where practise I apply?

You can get the name and phone number of the WIC agency near yous by calling 1-800-522-5006 or through the New York State Department of Wellness spider web site.

What is certification?

Certification is the process required in social club to receive benefits.

To qualify for WIC, yous must:

  • Live in New York State; however, U.S. Citizenship or legal residency is non required
  • Run into the income guidelines set by the federal government
  • Have a need for improved nutrition

WIC will:

  • Behave a health cess
  • Provide opportunities to talk over nutrition and health concerns
  • Provide referrals to other medical care and services
  • Provide foods each month that will help you with your food upkeep

What do I need to bring to the WIC office?

When you call the WIC part for a certification appointment, staff will tell you which of the following you demand to bring:

  • Proof of identity for y'all and your child
  • Proof of household income
  • Proof of residency
  • Immunization tape for infants and children

In addition, you lot may be asked to bring:

  • A completed New York Country Section of Health Medical Referral Form from your health care provider (including blood work).
  • If you or your kid is on a special formula, you will demand the "Medical Documentation for WIC Formula & Approved WIC Foods for Infants, Children and Women" course.
  • The forms tin can exist found on the New York State Department of Health web site.

To be enrolled, a child must be present at each certification.

Information technology volition not cost y'all any money to enroll in the WIC Program.

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What happens after I am certified?

  • You and a WIC nutritionist volition work together to talk over how much food yous will get each month. This is called your nutrient bundle.
    After, if you want to make a change in your food package, talk to a WIC nutritionist to brand adjustments.
  • Y'all will go WIC checks to apply at the grocery store each month to purchase the WIC foods in your nutrient package.
  • You lot volition accept opportunities to learn about means you can use your WIC foods.
  • You will receive breastfeeding support and peer counseling.
  • You will learn about many other helpful programs.
  • You lot volition meet with a nutritionist to discuss your nutrition and wellness needs.

How long tin I get WIC?

Once certified:

  • Pregnant women can stay on WIC for the length of their pregnancy.
  • Breastfeeding mothers may continue to receive WIC benefits until their baby's first birthday. A breastfeeding female parent's nutrition and health needs are reviewed half dozen to nine months after commitment.
  • Mothers who are not breastfeeding may be eligible for WIC benefits until their babies are 6 months old.
  • Infants and children may continue to receive WIC benefits until they turn five years old. Infant's and children's nutrition and health needs are reviewed every 6 months.
  • If your household income changes, you will be asked to provide income information during your certification. WIC staff may enquire yous to bring income information to each appointment.

Breastfeeding Support

Choosing how to feed your baby is one of the well-nigh of import decisions y'all volition make as a new parent. WIC knows that breastfeeding is of import for mother and infant. Breast milk helps go on babies salubrious. It protects confronting many types of illness like colds, influenza, diarrhea and ear infections.

Breastfeeding...it'south what nosotros exercise.

WIC supports breastfeeding with more nutrient in your food parcel and yous can stay on WIC for a full year. Afterward breastfeeding is well established, breastfed infants receive a larger food package at half-dozen months of age.

Your WIC Plan has peer counselors who are breastfeeding mothers just similar you. They can share with you the joys of maternity and help you lot with breastfeeding.

You tin continue to breastfeed when you return to piece of work or schoolhouse. WIC has a variety of breast pumps bachelor and staff who are experienced in helping mothers.

Visit the web site, world wide web.breastfeedingpartners.org. This site was particularly designed to help mothers who want to know more than well-nigh breastfeeding.

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What is nutrition education at WIC?

Nutrition education is learning about nutrient, salubrious lifestyles and behavior and how it affects your health. We know that you are making great efforts to be the best parent y'all can be. You are giving your child the advantages of the healthiest pregnancy, child development and overall wellness that you can.

Nutrition education at WIC tin exist:

  • With you and a WIC nutritionist
  • In a grouping session

During group sessions, yous tin can aid each other past sharing experiences and information about parenting, nutrition and lifestyle concerns. Information technology is a time to share and connect with others in a pleasant and informal atmosphere.

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What are the WIC foods?

The WIC Acceptable "Foods Card" tells you which foods you lot can purchase with your WIC checks. It is a adept idea to bring the "Foods Carte du jour" with you each time you lot go to the store to use your WIC checks.

WIC foods for infants

Breast milk is the best food for babies. Breastfeeding is of import for babies. Chest milk is all that babies demand for the first 6 months. If chest milk is not available, WIC tin can provide some fe-fortified formula. Yous must buy the course (powder, concentrate or ready-to-use) listed on your checks. Purchase just the brand, container, size and number of containers printed on your checks.

Obviously, dry, boxed infant cereal

  • – Buy only the make and amount printed on your checks.

You may non buy:

  • Cereal with added fruit or formula
  • Organic, added DHA or other extra ingredients

Infant food vegetables and fruits

You may purchase:

  • Whatsoever variety of baby food vegetables and babe food fruits listed on the "Foods Card"
  • Unmarried vegetable or single fruit in 4-oz. jars

Fully breastfed infants will also receive babe nutrient meats.

  • You lot may buy any multifariousness of baby nutrient meats listed on the "Foods Card".
  • Infant nutrient meats in ii.5-oz. containers

WIC foods for women and children

Milk

Milk is loftier in calcium, poly peptide and vitamin D.

You may buy:

  • Nonfat (fat free or skim)
  • Low fat (1%)
  • Whole milk (only for children between the ages of 1 and 2 years of age)
  • Lactose reduced or 100% lactose free, nonfat or low fat

Talk to the nutritionist if you lot want to buy:

  • Evaporated (canned) milk
  • Dry/powdered nonfat milk
  • Tofu
  • Soy beverage

You may Non purchase:

  • Chocolate or flavored milk
  • Buttermilk
  • Milk with added calcium
  • Organic milk
  • Sweetened condensed milk

You must buy milk in units specified on your checks (gallons, half gallons or quarts) OR in the largest container available at the store.

Children between the ages of 1 and 2 years should drink whole milk. Fat free or 1% milk is recommended for everyone over the historic period of 2.

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Soy beverage

  • Soy beverage is a good source of soy protein.
  • Soy beverage is available for individuals who qualify.
  • You may buy whatsoever soy drinkable listed on the "Foods Card".

Tofu

Tofu is a good source of soy protein.

You may buy any calcium prepare tofu listed on the "Foods Card".

Cheese

Cheese is high in calcium and protein.

You may buy whatsoever of the cheeses listed on the "Foods Carte", including lower fatty types.

From the dairy case, you may buy blocks or slices of:

  • Pasteurized processed American
  • Cheddar
  • Colby
  • Monterey Jack
  • Mozzarella

From the deli, yous may purchase only American cheese.

Check the cyberspace weight on each package. Yous cannot purchase more than the amount printed on your checks.

You may Non buy:

  • Cheese product, cheese food*, cheese spread*
  • Flavored or blended cheese
  • Imported cheese
  • Shredded, cubed, grated, string or stick cheese
  • Individually wrapped slices
  • Organic cheese

* if an item is cheese food, cheese product or cheese spread, it will say then on the label.

Eggs

Eggs are high in protein and iron.

You lot may purchase medium or large-shell eggs. They can exist white or brown.

You may NOT buy:

  • Extra big or jumbo eggs
  • High cost specialty eggs (including: organic, reduced cholesterol, cage-free/range-free or Omega-3)

Juice

WIC 100% juice has no added sugar and is a good source of vitamin C.

You may buy any juice listed on the "Foods Card" in the size listed on your WIC checks.

You may NOT purchase:

  • Juice drinks, "ades" (like lemonade), nectars, punches or juice beverages
  • Howdy-C®, juice cocktails, twisters or coolers
  • Products that are not 100% juice

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Cereal

WIC cereals are loftier in atomic number 26, and vitamin B and low in sugar. Many of them are whole grain.

You may purchase any of the cereals listed on the "Foods Card." Check the weight on each box. Buy combinations of boxes that total (or come close to) the number of ounces on your WIC checks. You cannot become over the total ounces on your checks. You must buy cereal in the package size range listed on the "Foods Carte du jour".

You may Non purchase:

  • Unmarried serving boxes of cold cereal
  • Single serving packets of hot cereal (unless listed as immune on the "Foods Card")

Peanut Butter

Peanut butter is high in poly peptide and iron.

Yous must buy peanut butter in the 18-oz. jar size. You lot can get chunky or smooth; it may be reduced fat and may be salted or unsalted.

You may Non buy:

  • Peanut spread
  • Peanut butter that is mixed with jelly, marshmallow, chocolate or beloved
  • Peanut butter with added vitamins and minerals
  • Freshly ground or whipped

Beans, Peas and Lentils

Beans, peas and lentils are good sources of protein, iron and cobweb.

You may buy:

  • Dry out or canned patently peas, lentils or mature dry beans
  • The form (dry or canned) listed on your checks

You may Not buy:

  • Canned beans containing added saccharide, fat, meat or oil
  • Canned peas, green beans, snap beans, orange beans, wax beans, baked beans or pork and beans

Whole Grain Staff of life

  • Whole grain staff of life is a good source of fiber and B vitamins.
  • You may purchase any bread listed on the "Foods Card".

Whole Grain Tortillas

  • Tortillas are a practiced source of fiber and B vitamins.
  • You may buy any tortilla listed on the "Foods Card".

Chocolate-brown Rice

Brown rice is a skillful source of fiber and B vitamins.

You lot may buy:

  • Any patently brown rice (in box or bag)
  • Instant, quick or regular cooking brown rice

Vegetables and Fruits (using your WIC checks for vegetables and fruits)

Bring your "Foods Carte du jour" with you lot when y'all shop.

Vegetables

Vegetables are loftier in vitamins, minerals and fiber. You may purchase fresh, frozen or canned vegetables.

Fruits

Fruits are high in vitamins, minerals and fiber. Y'all may buy fresh, frozen or canned fruit.

Refer to the "Foods Menu" for information about approved products and those that are not allowed.

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Boosted WIC foods for breastfeeding women

The following foods are simply for breastfeeding women who exercise not receive baby formula from WIC for their babies:

Canned Fish

Fish is a good source of protein.

You may buy:

  • Light tuna, pinkish salmon or sardines
  • Fish packed in oil or water
  • Fish may contain bones and skin.

Container sizes are listed on the "Foods Menu".

Y'all may NOT purchase:

  • Albacore tuna
  • Blueback salmon or ruddy salmon
  • Canned fish containing added ingredients or fish packed in pouches or individual serving containers

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A Sample WIC Check

  • Buy ALL of the foods in the amounts shown in the big box on the left side of the check.
  • This cheque is practiced ONLY when used within the dates shown in the boxes at the upper right of the cheque.
  • The Pay Exactly corporeality must be less than or equal to the "Not to Exceed" corporeality shown in the box at the middle right of the check.
  • Be sure that the "Pay Exactly" amount is entered BEFORE signing the check [boxes below "Not to Exceed"]
  • You must sign the cheque [the line after the X at the bottom right of the check] and show your WIC I.D. at the checkout at the fourth dimension of purchase.

Picture of a WIC check

Tips for using your WIC checks

Run into above for a sample WIC check.

  1. Utilize your checks at a WIC-authorized vendor (grocery store or pharmacy). Pharmacies may accept checks just for babe formula.
  2. All the foods listed on your checks must be purchased. Purchase just the blazon, size and corporeality of food listed on your WIC checks. The "Foods Bill of fare" may be used every bit a guide for shopping.
  3. The WIC foods chosen must non cost more than the "Not to Exceed" amount of the WIC bank check. If the cost is more than, select a less expensive make to reduce the total toll of the buy. Boosted funds cannot be added.
  4. Some farmers are authorized to accept WIC vegetable and fruit checks (only for fresh produce). WIC staff will provide a listing of stores and farmers in the expanse that take WIC checks. WIC stores and farmers have signs to point that they accept WIC checks.
  5. For vegetable and fruit checks simply, cull fresh, frozen or canned vegetables and fruits in the amounts you wish to buy.
  6. For WIC vegetable and fruit checks only, you may choose to add cash (or some other form of payment accustomed past the store) to pay the amount over the "Not to Exceed" value of the cheque.
    No change is given if the vegetable and fruit buy is less than the "Not to Exceed" value of the check.
  7. At the checkout counter, WIC purchases must exist carve up from other purchases. When using more than one WIC check, group the foods for each check together.
  8. The exact corporeality of the purchase must be written on the cheque in the "Pay Exactly" box before signing. The amount in the "Pay Exactly" box must not be more than than the "Not to Exceed" value of the check, fifty-fifty if yous add together your own funds when using a WIC vegetable and fruit check.
  9. WIC checks must be used inside the "Not Good Earlier" and "Non Good Subsequently" dates listed on the check.
  10. Cash, credit or pelting checks cannot be issued for foods listed on your WIC checks. WIC foods cannot be returned to the store for credit, cash or exchange.
  11. The use of coupons and store shopping cards to reduce the cost of foods purchased with WIC checks is encouraged.
  12. Report any lost or stolen checks to the WIC staff as soon as possible. Lost or stolen checks cannot be replaced.
  13. Checks reported lost or stolen must not be used if after establish. WIC staff may be able to supervene upon some of the checks that have non expired. Unused WIC checks must be returned to WIC staff.

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Your WIC Identification Card (WIC I.D.)

  • Each family is issued a WIC I.D. card.
  • This I.D. carte du jour must be presented to WIC staff at appointments and to the cashier whenever WIC checks are used. No other form of identification may exist shown or requested at the store.
  • The WIC participant must sign the I.D. card. When the participant is a babe or a kid, the parent or caretaker will sign the I.D. card. All WIC participants can authorize two proxies to sign the I.D. card. Proxies are other family unit members or friends who tin pick up your checks from the WIC office or grocery store for yous.
  • The signature of the person using the checks MUST be on the I.D. card and also on file in the WIC part. The signature must be on the I.D. carte du jour before shopping with your WIC checks.
  • If your WIC I.D. carte du jour is lost, stolen or destroyed, contact your WIC role. Y'all must show identification, and the WIC office will issue a replacement I.D.

Picture of a WIC Identification Card

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Your rights as a WIC participant are:

  • To receive nutrition/health education.
  • To receive a nutrient package designed to see your nutritional needs and/or your kid'south nutritional needs.
  • To exist informed of other bachelor health services.
  • To be treated adequately and courteously. If you lot think you lot have not been treated fairly, you may call your local WIC function or the Growing Up Salubrious Hotline at ane-800-522-5006.
  • To enquire for a fair hearing. If y'all retrieve a determination that affects your ability to be on the WIC Program is not fair, y'all may ask for a hearing inside 60 days from the engagement of the notice of unfavorable decision.

Yous may request a hearing in writing or by contacting a staff person at your local WIC role or at the New York State Department of Health.

In order to serve yous most effectively, your responsibilities include:

  • Existence on time and keeping all appointments. If you lot cannot keep an appointment, notify the WIC office as soon as possible.
  • Giving the WIC office accurate information to decide your eligibility for the WIC Programme.
  • Using your WIC checks just at WIC-authorized stores or with WIC authorized farmers.
  • Using your WIC checks to buy just the foods and amounts listed on the checks.
  • Using the checks inside the "Non Good Before" and "Not Good After" dates printed on the checks.
  • Telling the WIC office if you are planning to move, if your phone number changes, if your income changes or if you desire to change to another WIC office.
  • Being courteous to shop cashiers, WIC staff and other WIC participants.

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You can be removed from the programme if:

  • Your income is more than than WIC's income guidelines.
  • Yous or your kid are no longer at nutritional or health risk.
  • You miss your date and do not keep your rescheduled appointment within threescore days.
  • You return foods or baby formula bought with WIC checks to the store for cash, credit or substitution.
  • You sell WIC checks or foods bought with WIC checks.
  • You give the WIC Program simulated information about yourself or your kid when applying for the Program.
  • You participate in more than than one WIC Program at the same time.
  • You participate in both the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) and WIC at the same time.
  • Yous are calumniating or threaten workers or other WIC participants in the WIC Program or in stores.
  • You utilize checks before the "Non Proficient Before" date or after the "Not Skillful After" date.
  • Y'all purchase non-WIC foods or non-food items with your WIC checks.
  • Y'all change information on your WIC checks.
  • You employ checks that were reported as lost or stolen.

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Questions and Answers

Q. What if I do not want all of the foods on a check?

A. If you do not wait to utilise all of the foods, delight enquire a WIC nutritionist to change your food package.

Q. Tin can I use coupons with WIC checks at the grocery store or chemist's shop?

A. Yes! This helps the WIC Plan salve money. With the savings, WIC tin can serve more than women, infants and children. Using coupons may likewise allow you to buy national brands and stay within the "Non to Exceed" amount on your check.

Q. If the store is out of an item, tin I get a raincheck?

A. No! Stores may not give you a raincheck for WIC foods. If a store doesn't have all the WIC foods listed on your check, ask the store manager if the foods are in stock. Y'all may have to become to another store if all foods are not bachelor.

Q. What should I do if I motility out of town?

A. Be sure to tell your WIC office before you movement, if possible. In that location are WIC programs all over the state. WIC can refer y'all to a plan about your new home. Your local agency may exist able to transfer you, and then that you do non lose any of your WIC benefits.

Q. Can I get Food Stamps while I am on WIC?

A. Yep, if you meet the income guidelines for Food Stamps. WIC benefits are not considered income when applying for other programs such as Food Stamps.

Q. When does my baby go food?

A. When your baby is 6 months old, WIC volition brainstorm providing baby food, fruits, vegetables and cereal. For fully breastfed infants 6 – 12 months onetime, baby nutrient meats are added.

Q. What can I exercise if I doubtable fraud or corruption?

A. If yous suspect someone of committing fraud or abuse, you lot may report your concerns anonymously. You tin can contact the cost gratis hotline at i-877-282-6657.

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Your WIC Local Bureau

Get a jump first on better wellness:

  • Breastfeed your new baby as long as possible.
  • Switch to fat gratuitous or one% milk for everyone over 2 years old.
  • Eat whole grain breads and cereals.
  • Eat more than vegetables and fruits.
  • Start juice afterward your child's get-go altogether.
  • Brainstorm infant cereal at 6 months of age or when your baby is ready.

Country of New York
Department of Wellness

This establishment is an equal opportunity provider.

Publication 4008
Ver 11/2010