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Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
- AN OVERVIEW -
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WIC (Women, Infants and Children) is a food and nutrition program for low-income women and children who are not getting all the nutrients they need. WIC gives free healthy food and nutrition counseling to pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and young children. WIC's goal is to help women and children eat better and stay healthy.
WIC is for pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and children under 5 years of age. You must meet the income limits. You must also have a nutritional need, such as a poor diet, problems during pregnancy, or anemia. There are no citizenship or immigration requirements for WIC.
You will get WIC checks that you can use to buy approved foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables, milk, soymilk, cheese, tofu, eggs, whole grain bread and tortillas, cereal, peanut butter, infant formula, baby food, beans, brown rice, and fruit juices. These foods are meant to supplement your regular diet. You will also get nutrition counseling, health screenings, and referrals to other benefit programs.
To apply for WIC, you should call your local WIC site to set up an appointment. There are over 100 WIC sites throughout Massachusetts. To find a site near you, call Massachusetts WIC toll-free at 1-800-942-1007.
You can use your WIC checks at supermarkets and most other food stores to buy WIC-approved foods. Your checks will list the specific foods you are allowed to buy with them. You must bring your WIC ID with you when you use your checks.
Links to other web sites with information about the WIC program.
WIC section last updated on 10/08/09
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