Federal Resource – Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
WIC is a federally funded nutrition program for Women, Infants, and Children that helps families by providing financial assistance to purchase healthy supplemental foods from WIC-authorized vendors
- Agency
- USDA Food and Nutrition Service
- Type
- Federal Program
- Phone
- Application Period
- Income Limit
WIC is a federally funded nutrition program for Women, Infants, and Children that helps families by providing financial assistance to purchase healthy supplemental foods from WIC-authorized vendors. WIC also provides nutrition education, breastfeeding information, and support as well as assists in finding healthcare and other community services.
WIC is a federally funded nutrition program for Women, Infants, and Children that helps families by providing financial assistance to purchase healthy supplemental foods from WIC-authorized vendors. WIC also provides nutrition education, breastfeeding information, and support as well as assists in finding healthcare and other community services.
Images & PDFs
FFY 2019 Colorado WIC Program Retailer Handbook
A handbook designed for retailers, providing guidelines and information about participating in the WIC program in Colorado, including details on benefits and transactions.
View Full ImageSpecial Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women Infants and Children (WIC) State Plan: Section II
A detailed state plan document submitted by the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, providing information on the WIC program's benefits, eligibility, and operations.
View Full ImageWIC Eligibility Web Presence Data Dashboard
A data dashboard that evaluates the online presence of WIC eligibility information across different states, including accessibility and clarity metrics.
View Full ImageWIC PreScreening Tool
A web-based prescreening tool for the WIC program, aimed at guiding women, infants, and children in evaluating eligibility. It provides a positive and supportive framework for accessing nutrition assistance.
View Full ImageImpact Reports
Economic Impact of WIC in Rural Communities
11/10/2020 | Coverage: national
This study examines how WIC programs contribute to local economies by supporting families with essential nutrition during times of financial strain.
Source: National WIC Association
Coverage Area: national
WIC: Beyond a Handout - A Path to Financial Stability
3/20/2019 | Coverage: national
This academic paper discusses the perception of WIC as merely a handout and provides evidence of its role in helping families achieve financial independence.
Source: University of Public Health
Coverage Area: national
WIC's Role in Alleviating Food Insecurity in Alaska
8/15/2021 | Coverage: state
This report outlines the crucial role that the WIC program plays in combating food insecurity among low-income families in Alaska, particularly as living costs rise.
Source: Alaska Department of Health and Social Services
Coverage Area: state
Program Timeline
WIC Reauthorization
3/26/2014WIC was reauthorized, with a focus on enhancing program efficiency and increasing funding, especially in rural areas like Alaska.
Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act
12/13/2010This act aimed to improve child nutrition standards across federal food programs, including WIC, emphasizing healthier food options.
Implementation of Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT)
4/1/1996The WIC program began transitioning to an electronic benefits transfer system, modernizing how benefits were distributed and redeemed.
Expansion of Eligibility Criteria
1/1/1981Eligibility criteria for WIC were expanded to include a wider range of income levels, allowing more families in Alaska to qualify for assistance.
Establishment of WIC Program
6/30/1972The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program was established to provide nutrition assistance and health care referrals to low-income pregnant women, new mothers, and young children.
FAQ
The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program is a federal assistance program designed to provide nutrition education, healthy food, and health care referrals to low-income pregnant women, new mothers, and their children up to age five. WIC aims to improve the health and nutritional status of these populations by offering services that promote breastfeeding, provide supplemental food, and encourage healthy dietary habits.
Reference: https://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/about-wic
Eligibility for the WIC program in Alaska includes being a pregnant woman, postpartum woman, breastfeeding mother, or a caregiver of a child under the age of five. Additionally, applicants must meet income guidelines, which typically require that their household income is at or below 185% of the federal poverty level. Residency in Alaska is also a requirement, and applicants may need to provide proof of their income and nutritional risk assessments.
To determine your eligibility for WIC in Alaska, please consider the following checklist:
- You must be a woman who is pregnant, postpartum, or breastfeeding.
- Your child must be under five years of age.
- You must meet income eligibility requirements.
- You must be a resident of Alaska.
If you meet all these criteria, you may qualify for WIC services.
Reference: https://health.alaska.gov/dph/WIC/Pages/default.aspx
