What is WIC?
WIC is a nutrition education program. WIC provides nutritious foods which promote good health for pregnant women, women who just had a baby, breastfeeding moms, infants, and children up to age 5.

Who is eligible?
Pregnant and breastfeeding women; women who recently had a baby; infants birth through 12 months; children 1 to 5 years; who are:

• Present at the clinic appointment, and provide proof of identity;
• Residents of the State of Ohio;
• Determined by health professionals to be at medical/nutritional risk; and
• Meets income guidelines - 185% of Federal Poverty Income Guidelines.

Ohio WIC Program Income Guidelines
In order to be eligible for WIC, the gross countable income of the economic unit, of which the applicant/participant is a member, must be less than or equal to the Ohio WIC program income guidelines for economic unit size provided in the following chart. WIC income guidelines are updated each year.

Revised 4/09

What Does WIC Provide?

• Nutrition education and support
• Breastfeeding Education and support
• Referral for health care
• Immunization screening and referral
• Voter Registration
• Supplemental foods like:
• Milk
  - Cereal
  - Whole grains
  - Juice
  - Fruits
  - Vegetables
  - Eggs
  - Peanut butter
  - Beans
  - Infant formula
  - Infant cereal
  - Baby food
  - Tuna/Salmon (If you are breastfeeding)
  - Cheese (If you are breastfeeding)

Benefits of Being Enrolled in the WIC Program:

• You receive nutrition education for yourself and your children, including great recipes.
• You get nutritious foods at no cost.
• WIC helps save money.  You can use the saved money to purchase other foods that   WIC does not provide.
• WIC helps babies and children grow up healthy!

How Do I Apply?
All it takes is a visit to your local WIC clinic to see if you qualify.  Call the WIC office at
(740) 383-5533 to schedule an appointment to meet with a WIC staff member.

What Do I Bring to My First Visit?

• Proof of income (current pay stubs, approval letter for Healthy Start, Ohio Works First, Food Stamps, or current Medicaid card)
• Proof of address (utility or credit bill, or Ohio driver’s license)
• Proof of identity for you and any other applicants (birth certificate, driver’s license, Medicaid card, crib card, shot record)
• All family members applying for WIC services
• If pregnant, a doctor’s statement showing due date
• Children’s shot records

Text4Baby

Have you ever faced questions and wished you had answers being new to motherhood? Maybe you're expecting and have questions!

There are many education websites available and advice available through WIC, however, now you can now visit Text4Baby!

Text4Baby

Please visit the Text4Baby website today and click on learn more, faq's, and more and sign up today!

Breastfeeding Support
The Ohio WIC program promotes breastfeeding as normal and natural infant feeding.  Ohio WIC also teaches mothers how to breastfeed and overcome problems.  Marion County WIC has Certified Lactation Counselors(CLC) and breastfeeding peer helpers for additional support.

Why?
All major health professional associations including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend breastmilk over artificial baby food.

Resources can be found by clicking Breastfeeding

*   The mission of the WIC program is to improve the health status and prevent health problems among Ohio's at-risk women, infants, and children.
WIC Related Links

Ohio WIC Program
http://www.odh.ohio.gov/odhPrograms/ns/wicn/wic1.aspx

WIC Nutrition on the net
www.wichealth.org

WIC Works
http://www.nal.usda.gov/wicworks/index.html

American Dietetic Association
http://www.eatright.org/

To find an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant in your area go to www.ohio-olca.org 

In accordance with federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability.
To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TTY).  USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.