WIC

WIC

  

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What is WIC?

"WIC" stands for Women, Infants and Children. WIC is the Special Supplemental Foods Program for Women, Infants and Children. WIC provides nutritious foods as well as nutrition counseling and education for its participants. It is a federally funded program of the United States Department of Agriculture. In New York State, WIC is part of the Department of Health. The Nassau County Department of Health WIC program has Registered Dieticians who provide participant centered nutrition education. Breastfeeding support and education are also available to WIC participants and is provided by Peer Counselors and an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). 


Who is WIC for? 

  • Pregnant women (teens can apply)
  • Children up to 5 years old.WICpic2
  • Mothers of babies up to 6 months old.
  • Breastfeeding mothers of babies up to 12 months old.


You can receive WIC even if:

  • You are not a legal resident, a green card is not needed
  • You are not a US citizen
  • You do not have a social security number
  • You or other household members work
  • You get Food Stamps, public assistance or Medicaid
  • You are a foreign student, (F-1 Visa).


What does WIC Provide?

An EBT Card for WIC foods that you can use at a neighborhood store and pharmacy. 

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The important foods you receive through the WIC Program include:

  • Milk/Yogurt 
  • Cheese
  • Juice
  • Infant Formula
  • Fruits and Vegetables
  • Eggs

  • Cereal/Infant Cereal
  • Beans, Peas or Peanut Butter
  • Whole Grain Bread/Brown Rice/Whole Wheat Pasta 
  • Fortified Whole Wheat Bread

WIC is supplemental and provides certain foods, which are considered essential for good growth and nutrition during the first few years of life. By providing these foods, participants may use their funds to purchase other foods that aren’t available through WIC.


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In addition WIC providesWICpic5womandisplay

  • Nutrition education (provided by a Registered Dietician)
     Learn how to choose healthy foods and how to fix healthy meals
  • Breastfeeding support and assistance (provided by Peer counselors, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant(IBCLC) and Registered Dietician). Breast milk is best.
  • Referral to other services including Prenatal (PCAP) and postpartum care, Well baby and Child Care, Medicaid, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), Head Start, Food Stamps, Substance abuse treatment, and Family planning. 


How can I receive WIC?

In order to participate in the program, you must meet the following eligibility criteria:

  1. You must be a Pregnant, Postpartum or Breastfeeding woman, or an infant or a child under the age of five.
  2. You must live in New York State.
  3. You must qualify financially.

 

Who is eligible?

Please click HERE for the New York State WIC Income Eligibility Guidelines

FAMILY SIZE IS DETERMINED BY: EVERYONE WHO LIVES WITH YOU AND SHARES INCOME AND EXPENSES

  • You are eligible for WIC if you receive Medicaid, Food Stamps or Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF).
  • You must be a New York State resident
  • Families who meet income guidelines will be assessed by a health care professional for medical or nutritional risk.

Want to see if you qualify? Fill out the WIC Prescreening Tool. U.S. citizenship is not required.

 

How long can I receive benefits from WIC?

Breastfeeding mothers may stay on WIC until their infant’s first birthday. A breastfeeding mother's nutritional status and health needs are reviewed 6 months from certification to see if she still meets eligibility criteria.

Mothers who chose not to breastfeed their babies or woman whose pregnancy did not result in a live birth may be eligible up to six months postpartum.

Infants and children may be on WIC until they turn 5 years old. Children's nutrition and health needs and their family's income are reviewed every 6 months to see if they meet eligibility criteria.


What to Bring to Your Appointment

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  • Proof of identity for each person applying. 
  • Proof of where you live. The proof must show your actual street address, not a post office box.
  • Proof of income for each household member who works. Documentation must be for the last 30 days.
  • Proof of your participation in Medicaid, SNAP/Food Stamps or Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF).
  • Immunization records for children.
  • Confirmation of pregnancy - a statement from your health care provider with your baby's due date, sonogram or positive pregnancy test.
  • Any WIC Medical forms given to you by your health care provider.
  • If you are transferring from another state you must provide proof of identity and residency for all transferring participants. You may also be asked to provide proof of income if requested.
  • Call the Nassau County Health Department WIC Administrative Office at 516-227-9453 for more information on acceptable forms of proof of identity, residency, and income or about participation in one of the programs listed above.

Forms You May Need to Bring to Your Appointment 

  1. WIC Medical Referral Form for Women, Infants and Children
  2. Medical Documentation Form for WIC Formula and Approved WIC Foods


What to Expect at Your WIC Appointment



WIC staff promise to:

  1. Listen to your concerns and needs.
  2. Provide nutrition counseling focused on your needs and concerns.
  3. Provide help from experienced staff and peer counselors.
  4. Share information based on science and experience, without influence from formula or other commercial companies.
  5. Assist you in making the best decisions for you and your family.
  6. Respect you and your decisions about feeding your children.
  7. Help you breastfeed, if that is your decision.
  8. Work with your community and hospital to promote and support breastfeeding and encourage healthy lifestyles.

 

All information shared with WIC staff is confidential. Local agency staff will ask you for:

  1. Documents that prove who you are, where you live, participation in assistance programs and the income of each member of your household who works. All documents will be returned.
  2. Your race and ethnicity. This information is for record keeping purposes only and does not affect your eligibility.

WIC staff will conduct a short health screening for all family members applying for WIC. This screening includes a finger stick blood test, height and weight, and a discussion of your health and nutrition concerns.

WIC staff will determine which food packages are right for you and your children. If you choose not to breastfeed, your infant will be provided one of the formulas on the New York State WIC Approved Formulas list. You may need to get a WIC Medical Documentation Form completed by your health care provider if you or your children have special nutritional needs.

Listing of Approved Formulas in the New York State WIC Program Formulary


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You will be able to authorize someone else to bring your children to WIC appointments or pick up your WIC EBT card. It is important to choose someone you trust, such as a spouse or partner or grandparent.



 

Nassau County Department of Health WIC Site Locations 

Nassau County Department of Health WIC Administrative Office

200 County Seat Drive, Mineola, NY 11501
Phone: 516-227-9453

Rosemary Flynn R.D., WIC Director
Varona McCall, R.N., Breastfeeding Coordinator
Rosemary Flynn, R.D., Nutritionist Coordinator

Hempstead WIC

160 North Franklin Street., Hempstead, NY 11550
Phone: 516-571-1942(1WIC) Fax: 516-572-0942
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
8:00 AM - 4:15 PM Tuesday 11:00 AM - 6:45 PM


USDA Nondiscrimination Statement and NYS WIC Complaint Information

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: https://www.health.ny.gov/prevention/nutrition/wic/docs/usda_non-discrimination_statement.pdf and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. 

To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov This institution is an equal opportunity provider. For other complaints or to request a Fair Hearing contact: (1) mail: WIC Program Director NYSDOH, Riverview Center 150 Broadway, 6th Floor Albany, NY 12204; (3) phone: (518) 402-7093; fax (518) 402-7348; or (4) email: NYSWIC@HEALTH.NY.GOV