WIC Eligibility

Who is eligible and who can apply?


  • Pregnant women
  • Women who are breastfeeding a baby under 1 year of age
  • Women who have had a baby in the past six months
  • Parents, step-parents, guardians, and foster parents of infants and children under the age of 5 can apply for their children
If you have a job or if you have private health insurance, you can still apply for WIC. You do not have to be married to apply for WIC. 
           pregnant mom                                             kids playing

 

What about fathers?


Fathers of children under the age of 5 are encouraged to enroll their children in the WIC program. Just like any other parent or guardian, fathers can bring their children to appointments, attend nutrition classes, and receive and redeem benefits for their children. Active participation by fathers is a great help in keeping WIC children healthy.

Eligibility Requirements


  • Meet the income guidelines. Households with incomes at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty income level are eligible. WIC determines income based on gross income. WIC counts all of the members of a household, related or unrelated. WIC counts an unborn baby as a household member. If your or your child are on Medicaid, Food Stamps (SNAP), or TANF, you may already be eligible. 
  • Be at nutritional risk. WIC clients receive an initial health and diet screening at a WIC clinic to determine nutritional risk. WIC uses two main categories of nutritional risk: (1) medically-based risks such as a history of poor pregnancy outcome, underweight status, or iron-deficiency anemia, and (2) diet-based risks such as poor eating habits that can lead to poor nutritional and health status. Clients will be counseled at WIC about these risks and the outcome influenced by nutrition education and nutritious foods provided by WIC.
  • Live in Wichita or Clay County. WIC clients usually receive services in the county where they live. U.S. citizenship is not a requirement for eligibility.
  • Clients must apply in person except in certain limited cases.
Click here for: WIC Pre-screening Tool
Click here for: Current Income Guidelines
 


How to Become a WIC Client


  • Are you a pregnant woman, breastfeeding a baby less than one year of age, a postpartum woman (one who had a baby within the last six months), or have an infant or a child who is less than 5 years old? If yes, set up an appointment fo find out if you qualify for the program.
  • Call (940) 761-7815, or go by the clinic to make an appointment for a pregnant woman, breastfeeding woman, postpartum woman, infant, or child less than 5 years of age.
  • At the time of your appointment, bring documentation of your household's current source of income or wages. This applies to all members of the household. Some examples of documentation include paycheck stubs dated within 30 calendar days of your appointment (example: weekly pay, bring four paycheck stubs), a current tax return, a letter from an employer, a Social Security check, a child-support check, or self-employed accounting records. Applicants and certain family members who receive Medicaid, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, or Food Stamps automatically meet income eligibility by bringing acceptable proof of their participation in one of these programs—they do not have to bring other income documents.
  • At the time of your appointment, bring documentation of where you live with your current physical address, such as a utility or credit-card bill, rent receipt, or business letter.
  • At the time of your appointment, bring one document of identification for each person applying for WIC benefits and the adult responsible for the benefits. Examples of acceptable identification documents are a birth certificate, a driver's license, an immunization card, an employee or school identification card with picture, a Social Security card, or hospital records.
  • During the appointment the applicant will undergo a simple health screen including height and weight measurement, a finger stick to screen for low iron, a medical and health history and a diet recall and history to determine nutritional risk.
  • At the end of his or her appointment, an applicant will receive counseling and referral to appropriate health and human services, if applicable. WIC Program eligibility will also be determined. Food benefits will be provided to those eligible.
  • If you have any questions about the above information, lack some item above, or have a special situation, call or go by the clinic before your appointment so the staff may assist you with your situation. Not bringing in all the documentation at the time of your appointment may delay eligibility determination and benefits. A complete screen must be done before eligibility can be determined.

WIC Referrals


WIC refers clients to a variety of health and social services agencies and programs. WIC staff can help clients find these services. Some examples are:
  • Medicaid
  • Food Stamps (SNAP)
  • Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)
  • Immunizations
  • Child health insurance
  • Family planning
  • Migrant health services
  • Prenatal care
  • Texas Health Steps (EPSDT)
  • Medical and dental services
  • Early Childhood Intervention (ECI)
  • The School Lunch / Breakfast Summer Lunch Program
  • Food Pantries
  • Literacy Services
  • Job Banks
  • Housing Services
  • Parenting Classes
  • Drug and alcohol abuse programs
  • Child care
  • Child support enforcement