WIC
Program
How does WIC work?
If an individual is found to be
eligible for WIC following the certification process, food instruments
will be issued by the WIC nutritionist. Printed on these food instruments
are the foods which the participant may receive at no cost. They are
redeemable at local vendors, a list of which is provided at
certification.
Pregnant women and teens are certified
for 6 weeks past the birth of their infant. During this time they will be
asked to return for group or individual nutrition education and
re-issuance of food instruments every two months.
Infants are certified until their
first birthday. They will be asked to return at 2, 4, 6, and 9 months for
a follow-up visit with the health professional and re-issuance of food
instruments.
After their first birthday, children
are certified for 6 month periods. They will be asked to return every 3
months for individual or group education and re-issuance of food
instruments. Children can participate in WIC until their fifth birthday.
Breast feeding women can participate
in WIC for one year after the birth of their infant as long as they
continue to breast feed. They will be scheduled to attend group or
nutrition education when their infants are scheduled for nutrition
education. Six months after the birth of their infants, breastfeeding
mothers are scheduled to see the health professional to be re-certified
for the remainder of the year.
Women who choose to give their infants
artificial baby milk will be able to participate themselves on WIC for 6
months following the birth of their infants. They will be asked to return
for individual or group education 3 months after the birth of their
infants.
Call 815-244-8855 for
more information.
Eligibility
Requirements
Three factors must be met:
1.
Category
You must be
o
a
pregnant woman
o
breastfeeding (up to one year after giving birth)
o
a new
mother (up to six months after giving birth) or
o
a
parent, guardian or caretaker who has an infant or child younger than 5
years of age.
2.
Income
Guidelines
o
Your
annual household income must be within
WIC Guidelines.
o
You may
have a job and still meet these guidelines.
3.
Medical
or Health Risk
o
A
screening by a WIC Certifying Health Professional must find that you have
a medical or nutritional health risk such as low iron, low weight gain
during pregnancy or a diet that needs improvement.
For your
first visit to a WIC clinic, please bring the following with you:
Identification (examples: driver’s license, photo ID)
Proof
of pregnancy (positive pregnancy test)
Proof
of income (examples: your last two paycheck stubs, income tax form,
Medicaid or Food Stamp ID or KidCare Card)
Proof
of residency (examples: your utility bill or recent mail)
Proof
of birth (birth certificate for your infant or child)
Proof
of immunizations (shot records)
Person
to be certified (you or your child)
WIC does not
require proof of citizenship or alien status
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