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WIC
Program Background
The WIC Program, formally known as the Special Supplemental
Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children was established
as a pilot program in 1972 and made permanent in 1974. WIC is
administered at the Federal level by the Food and Nutrition
Service (FNS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
WIC in Washington state is administered by the Washington State
Department of Health WIC Program (DOH).
WIC is not an entitlement program -- Congress does not set aside
funds to allow every eligible individual to participate in the
program. Rather, WIC is a Federal grant program for which Congress
authorizes a specific amount of funding each year for program
operations. FNS provides these funds to WIC State agencies (DOH)
to pay for WIC foods, nutrition counseling and education, and
administrative costs.
Congress appropriated $5.205 billion (total after 1% rescission)
for WIC in fiscal year 2006. By comparison, the WIC Program
appropriation was $20.6 million in 1974; $750 million in 1980;
$1.5 billion in 1985; and $2.1 billion in 1990. Washington state
receives approximately $100 million per year in Federal dollars
for the WIC program. Washington also receives $25 million through
Infant Formula Manufacturer Rebate and over $1 million in General
State Funds. Local government and community contributors also
provide funds for the program.
To learn more about Washington State WIC, visit the Washington
State WIC Program Website and download and view the
Annual
Report. |
Population
served
The WIC Program is a short-term intervention food and nutrition
assistance program that serves low-income pregnant, postpartum
and breastfeeding women, and infants and children up to age
5 who are at nutrition risk. Nationally, more than 7.5 million
people receive WIC benefits each month. The Washington WIC Program
serves approximately 165,000 clients each month.
The WIC target population are low-income, nutritionally at risk:
- Pregnant women (through pregnancy and up to 6 weeks after
birth or after pregnancy ends)
- Breastfeeding women (up to infant’s 1st birthday)
- Nonbreastfeeding postpartum women (up to 6 months after
the birth of an infant or after pregnancy ends)
- Infants (up to 1st birthday). WIC serves 45 percent of
all infants born in the United States
- Children up to their 5th birthday.
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WIC
progam benefits
The benefits of participating in WIC include:
- Supplemental, nutritious foods
- Nutrition assessment and education
- Breastfeeding education
- Screening and referrals to other health, welfare and social
services
Foods that are provided through the WIC Program are high in
one or more of the following nutrients: protein, calcium, iron,
and vitamins A and C. Different food packages are provided for
different categories of participants. WIC foods include iron-fortified
infant formula and infant cereal, iron-fortified adult cereal,
vitamin C-rich fruit or vegetable juice, eggs, milk, cheese,
peanut butter, dried beans/peas, tuna fish and carrots. |
Who
is eligible for WIC?
The target population must meet income guidelines, a State residency
requirement, and be individually determined to be at “nutrition
risk” by a health professional. To be eligible on the basis
of income, applicants’ income must fall at or below 185 percent
of the U.S. Poverty Income Guidelines (currently $37,000 for
a family of four). A person who participates or has family members
who participate in certain other benefit programs, such as the
Food Stamp Program, Medicaid, or Temporary Assistance for Needy
Families, automatically meets the income eligibility requirement. |
Celebrating positive health outcomes
WIC saves lives and improves the health of nutritionally at-risk
women, infants and children. The results of studies conducted
by FNS and other non-government entities prove that WIC is one
of the nation’s most successful and cost-effective nutrition
intervention programs.
Health outcomes achieved by WIC include:
- WIC reduces fetal deaths and infant mortality.
- WIC reduces low birthweight rates and increases the duration
of pregnancy.
- WIC improves the growth of nutritionally at-risk infants
and children.
- WIC decreases the incidence of iron deficiency anemia
in children.
- WIC improves the dietary intake of pregnant and postpartum
women and improves weight gain in pregnant women.
- Pregnant women participating in WIC receive prenatal care
earlier.
- Children enrolled in WIC are more likely to have a regular
source of medical care and have more up to date immunizations.
- WIC helps get children ready to start school: children
who receive WIC benefits demonstrate improved intellectual
development.
- WIC significantly improves children’s diets.
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Where
can I go to apply for WIC?
The program is available in all 50 States, 33 Indian Tribal
Organizations, America Samoa, District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto
Rico, and the Virgin Islands. These 88 WIC State agencies administer
the program through 2,200 local agencies and 9,000 clinic sites.
Washington WIC operates in 240 clinic sites through 60 contract
agencies including:
- Indian Health Agencies
- Health departments and health districts
- Private non-profit organizations
- Hospitals
- Community and Migrant Health Centers
To find where WIC services are provided in Washington state
at a location near you, please visit the WithinReach website
or call via their toll-free line at 1-800-322-2588.
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