The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is for low income pregnant women, breastfeeding women up to 12 months postpartum, non-breastfeeding women up to 6 months postpartum, and infants and children up to 5 years of age who have a medical/nutritional risk and meet financial eligibility criteria. Funding is provided by the United States Department of Agriculture. WIC is administered by the Georgia Department of Public Health and the Fulton County Board of Health.
WIC provides nutritious foods to supplement diets as well as information on healthy eating and referrals to health care.
SERVICES PROVIDED
- Nutrition counseling
- Breastfeeding support
- Food vouchers are redeemable at participating grocery stores for milk, eggs, cheese, cereal, juices, and other nutritious foods.
Requirements for Fulton County WIC Benefits
Generally, WIC is available to:
- Low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women
- Low-income parent or guardian who is the sole provider of children under age five who are at nutritional risk and who are at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty level
- Live in Fulton County
- Certain applicants can be determined income-eligible for WIC based on their participation in programs such as SNAP, Medicaid, and TANF, formerly known as AFDC (Aid to Families with Dependent Children)
- Applicants must be seen by a health professional such as a physician, nurse, or nutritionist who must determine whether the individual is at nutrition risk. "Nutrition risk" means an individual has a medical-based condition such as anemia or a poor pregnancy outcome or dietary-based conditions such as poor eating habits.
Participants will "graduate" at the end of one or more certification periods. An eligible individual usually receives WIC benefits from 6 months to a year, at which time she/he must reapply.
You can take the WIC Eligibility Assessment to see if you qualify or contact your local WIC office to make an appointment and find out which documents you will need to bring with you. At your appointment, WIC staff will check to see if you and your family qualify. You can find the online application at this link.
Are you Moving or Have You Recently Moved?
WIC participants who move can continue to receive WIC benefits until their certification period expires as long as there is proof the individual received WIC benefits in a previous locality or state. WIC staff at that location will provide you with a special card to present to the WIC office in your new location. When you arrive for your first appointment, be sure to bring that card with you.
