WIC

• Pregnant or recently pregnant women.
• Women who are breastfeeding.
• Parents, stepparents, guardians, and foster parents of infants and children under the age of 5 can apply for their children.
• If you have a job or if you have private health insurance, you can still apply for WIC. You do not have to be married to apply for WIC.

You or your child must live in Idaho. To be eligible on the basis of income, applicants’ gross income must fall at or below 185 percent of the U.S. Poverty Income Guidelines (currently $39,461 annually for a family of three).

A person who participates in (or has family members who participate in) certain other benefit programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Medicaid, or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, automatically meets the income eligibility requirement.

There are 6 WIC locations throughout North Idaho to serve you.

WIC foods include infant cereal, iron-fortified adult cereal, vitamin C-rich fruit or vegetable juice, eggs, milk, cheese, peanut butter, dried and canned beans/peas, and canned fish.

Also, soy-based beverages, tofu, fresh fruits and vegetables, baby foods, whole wheat bread, and other whole-grain options were recently added to better meet the nutritional needs of WIC participants.

WIC recognizes and promotes breastfeeding as the optimal source of nutrition for infants. For women who do not fully breastfeed, WIC provides iron-fortified infant formula. Special infant formulas and medical foods may be provided when prescribed by a physician for a specified medical condition.

After making an appointment at a WIC clinic near you, you can expect the following:
WIC staff will review income, residency and identification information with you. Trained WIC staff will also conduct a health screening for all family members applying. This includes a finger stick blood test to check iron status (for older infants, children and women), measuring height and weight, and asking you some questions about your health and diet. At the end of the appointment you will be told if your family is eligible for WIC services.

What to bring to your first appointment?

For Pregnant Women:

1. Adult Identification (e.g. – Driver’s license, passport, social security card)
2. Proof of Pregnancy with Due Date (e.g. – ultrasound, doctor’s note)
3. Proof of Household Income (Only if you are not utilizing Medicaid or SNAP) (e.g. – Paystubs from last 30 days, Recent tax return)
4. Proof of Address (e.g. – Driver’s license, mail, bill, recent rent receipt)

For Infants and Children:
***All children receiving benefits must be present for first appointment***

1. Adult Identification (e.g. – Driver’s license, passport, social security card)
2. Infant/Child Identification (e.g. – Immunization records, birth certificate, infant’s hospital crib card, social security card)
3. Proof of Household Income (Only if you are not utilizing Medicaid or SNAP) (e.g. – Paystubs from last 30 days, Recent tax return)
4. Proof of Address (e.g. – Driver’s license, mail, bill, recent rent receipt)

Fathers of children under the age of 5 are encouraged to enroll their children in the WIC program. Just like any other parent or guardian, fathers can bring their children to appointments, attend nutrition classes, and receive and redeem benefits for their children. Active participation by fathers is a great help in keeping WIC children healthy.