WIC

Mom on kitchen floor with child and bunch of flowers

Mission

Improve the health of North Idaho women, infants, and children by providing the most advanced nutrition information, resources and breastfeeding support within a safe, compassionate and respectful environment that will lead to a lifetime of healthy choices.

Vision

Lifelong healthy habits and optimal nutrition improving health outcomes for Idaho families.

Language Assistance Services

Free Interpreter, Intérprete Gratuito, مترجم مجاني, Mukalimani wa bure, Nishulka Dobhasey

Our Locations

Bonners Ferry

Boundary County Office

7402 Caribou St, Bonners Ferry, ID 83805
(208) 267-5558

Hayden

Kootenai County Office

8500 N. Atlas Rd, Hayden, ID 83835
(208) 415-5130

Kellogg

Shoshone County Office

35 Wildcat Way, Kellogg, ID 83837
(208) 786-7474

Sandpoint

Bonner County Office

2101 W. Pine St., Sandpoint, ID 83864
(208) 263-5159

St Maries

Benewah County Office

137 N 8th St, St Maries, ID 83861
(208) 245-4556

Building healthy families.

We view the health of mothers and children as our collective responsibility. With WIC, mothers and children in our community receive the nutritional support they need to thrive in life.

Families that have one or two working parents will often qualify for WIC nutrition services even if they do not qualify for SNAP or Medicaid benefits.

Already on SNAP or Medicaid? Then you are automatically qualified for WIC!

WIC is an equal opportunity provider.

Eligibility

In order to qualify for WIC you must meet the following eligibility requirements:

  • Be a resident of Idaho
  • Meet income guidelines
  • Pregnant women
  • Breastfeeding women
  • Women who had a baby within the last six months
  • Parents, step-parents, guardians, and foster parents of infants and children up to their 5th birthday

Benefits

WIC clients have access to a variety of benefits and services that promote a healthy future for their families.

  • Nutrition Education based on each family’s needs, provided in a safe one-on-one environment.
  • Nutritional food benefits loaded to your eWIC card to supplement you and your family’s diet. WIC Food List (For women and children ages 1 to 5)
  • Access to Registered Dieticians that offer personalized care plans based on specific nutritional needs.
  • Access to International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC) and Breastfeeding Peer Counselors that offer support and encouragement to prolong your breastfeeding experience.
  • Breastfeeding classes, free of charge, to you and your family members to help you get ready for the arrival of your baby.
  • Referrals to other services and programs in our community.

Breastfeeding

Our breastfeeding program is made up of four Breastfeeding Peer Counselors, who are past or current WIC moms that have successfully breastfed their child/ren. Additionally, we have two Lactation and Nutrition experts that have specialized training in breastfeeding and nutrition for pregnant and breastfeeding moms. Our breastfeeding team has specialized training to help a breastfeeding mom overcome the challenges they may face. These are some of the services that our breastfeeding program and peer counselors provide:

  • Peer Counseling: Peer counselors help cheer on and support pregnant and postpartum women as they choose how to feed their babies. These counselors have experience breastfeeding their own children and understand the questions and joys that come with breastfeeding.
  • Professional breastfeeding support: WIC provides free clinic and phone consultations with trained breastfeeding professionals including International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC’s), Certified Lactation Counselors/Educators, and Registered Dietitians.
  • Supplemental foods for breastfeeding women: Breastfeeding women receive the deluxe WIC food package with a variety of foods.
  • Breastfeeding equipment: When needed, WIC will supply breast pumps and other equipment to help women provide breast milk for their babies.
Son kissing mom with basketball and water bottles in background

WIC News and Events

Frequently Asked Questions

  • 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 $40,182 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.

Hayden

8500 N Atlas Road, Hayden ID 83835
(208) 415-5130
FAX: (208) 415-5131

HOURS:

Mon – 8am-5pm
Tues – 8am-5pm (No appointment needed before 4pm)
Wed – 8am-7pm (No appointment needed before 4pm)
Thurs – 8am-5pm (No appointment needed before 40pm)
Fri – 8am-5pm

Sandpoint

2101 Pine Street, Sandpoint ID 83864
(208) 263-5159

HOURS:

Mon – 8am-5pm
(Closed daily from 12-1pm)

St. Maries

137 N Eighth Street, St. Maries, ID 83861
(208) 245-4556
FAX: (208) 245-3692

HOURS:

Tues – 8am-5pm
Thurs – 8am-5pm
(Closed daily from 12-1pm)

Bonners Ferry

7402 Caribou, Bonners Ferry, ID 83805
(208) 267-5558
FAX: (208) 415-5131

HOURS:

Tues – 8am-5pm
Thurs – 8am-5pm
(Closed daily from 12-1pm)

Kellogg

35 Wildcat Way, Kellogg ID 83837
(208) 786-7474
FAX: 208-786-7019

HOURS:

Mon – 8am-5pm
Wed – 8am-5pm
(Closed daily from 12-1pm)

Post Falls

925 E Polston Ave , Post Falls, ID 83854
(208) 415-5130
FAX: (208) 415-5131

HOURS:

Mon-Fri – 8am-5pm

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.

Non-Discrimination Statement
USDA is an equal opportunity provider. USDA es un proveedor que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades. To read the full statement, click HERE.