The WIC program also provides breastfeeding support efforts and participant-centered nutritional education.
You can receive WIC benefits if you meet all four of these requirements:
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You must be
- A pregnant women of any age;
- A mother of a baby that is up to 6 months of age;
- A breastfeeding mother of a baby that is up to 12 months of age; OR
- An infant or child up to age 5.
- You must be a resident of New York State, but you do not need to be a U.S. citizen.
- You must meet the income eligibility guidelines OR be receiving benefits from Food Stamps, Medicaid or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.
- Your medical or nutritional needs must be assessed by a WIC health care professional to determine which benefits are available to you.
WIC has shown to improve the health of pregnant women, new mothers and their infants and children. The foods provided through WIC are a good source of essential nutrients that are often missing from the diets of women and young children. WIC participants have healthier pregnancies and fewer premature births.
You can apply for WIC benefits through your local WIC agency. To locate the WIC agency nearest to you, call 1-800-522-5006 or visit www.health.state.ny.us/prevention/nutrition/wic/local_agencies.htm.
For more information, visit www.health.state.ny.us/prevention/nutrition/wic/.