WIC Remains Open During Federal Government Shutdown
WIC state and local agencies have enough reserve funding to remain open during the shutdown as long as it ends soon. WIC checks can still be used at any authorized grocery store and vendors will still receive payment. Should the continuation of the federal government shutdown threaten WIC operations, clients will be given advance notice of the impact. Questions? Call 509.324.1620
Program Overview
Quality nutrition services are the centerpiece of the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) nutrition program at Spokane Regional Health District. The program also offers breastfeeding education, free healthy foods, and help accessing other health care for low- and moderate-income women and children with, or at risk of developing, nutrition-related health problems.
Local services are part of a federal program with an extraordinary record of preventing children’s health problems and improving their health, growth and development. In Spokane County, WIC’s committed, results-oriented, and entrepreneurial staff stretch resources to serve all eligible women and children while ensuring program effectiveness and integrity. WIC children enter school ready to learn and show better cognitive performance.
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 a person has a job or if he or she has private health insurance, they can still apply for WIC. A person does not have to be married to apply for WIC.
For more eligibility requirements, see below.
- Family member or child must be a Washington state resident
- To be eligible on the basis of income, applicants’ income must fall at or below 185 percent of the U.S. Poverty Income Guidelines (currently $45,510 for a family of four).
Income Guidelines for WIC
| Household or family size* | Maximum annual income to qualify | Maximum monthly income to qualify | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | $30,451 | $2,538 | |
| 3 | $38,443 | $3,204 | |
| 4 | $46,435 | $3,870 | |
| 5 | $54,427 | $4,536 | |
| 6 | $62,419 | $5,202 | |
| 7 | $70,411 | $5,868 |
*A household is defined as a group of related or non-related individuals, who usually, although not necessarily, are living together and share income.
**Gross income is income before taxes and deductions.
A person who participates or has family members who participate in certain other benefit programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Medicaid, or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, automatically meets the income eligibility requirement.
Ready to Enroll?
The program is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and operated by
the Washington State Department of Health (DOH).
USDA May 2016
7.5million total WIC participants to date
WIC Benefits
- Personalized nutrition education for you and your family through individual and group sessions.
- Freedom to redeem vouchers at most area retail grocers to obtain nutritious and wholesome foods.
- Access to certified registered dietitians for services such as individualized care plans for chronic diseases, including diabetes management.
- Access to certified lactation consultants for targeted breastfeeding support to reach breastfeeding goals.
- Weekly breastfeeding support groups for pregnant and breastfeeding moms led by breastfeeding peer counselors.
- No-cost breastfeeding classes to prep families and anyone else in their social network for the arrival of baby and the adventure of breastfeeding.
- Continued support through the all stages of pregnancy, infancy, and early childhood.
Spokane family currently participating in the Spokane WIC program
“Almost half of all babies in Washington state are on WIC. ”
WIC is a place where families get healthy food and a lot more. WIC is for pregnant women, new and breastfeeding moms, and children under 5. WIC made a difference for over 304,000 women, infants and children in Washington in 2014.
What is WIC
WIC News
WIC Food & Formula Changes Effective October 3, 2016
Beginning October 3, 2016 Washington State WIC will update approved formulas and foods. WIC Clients & Retailers will receive a new shopping guide with the latest food changes. WIC Approved formulas will
change and WIC Prescription Forms will be updated and added to this website. If you have questions, please call your WIC Office. We are happy to answer questions!
WIC Has New Business Hours
On September 6, 2016 All Spokane Regional Health District Office hours will change to: 8am - 5pm, closed 12pm - 1pm. These changes apply to the Northeast Community Center in Hillyard, East Central Community Center on 5th & Stone, Valley Office on Pines & Broadway, North Office on Lidgerwood by Holy Family, and the Downtown WIC office on College by the courthouse. Please call your WIC office if you have questions - we are happy to help!
Washington Target Stores Accept WIC
32 Target stores in Washington State are now authorized for WIC and will begin accepting WIC checks effective Saturday, June 14, 2014! While this is exciting news, several WIC stores in WA do not have a full line of fresh groceries and therefore are not authorized. Look for the yellow "WIC ACCEPTED HERE" signs in authorized Target Stores across the state. The Target store located at 9770 N. Newport Hwy is the only authorized store in Spokane.
New Medical Community Resources
In order to better illustrate the types of food packages WIC clients receive when enrolled in the WIC program, the Communications team at Spokane Regional Health District developed several printable documents that include vibrant and user-friendly visuals of food packages for pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding moms, infants, and children. The medical community requested this resource as a tool to guide conversations with their patients who may be eligible to enroll in WIC services, especially those soon-to-be-mothers who may be considering breastfeeding as their first infant feeding choice.
In addition to the many benefits a mother provides her baby through breastfeeding, WIC moms who exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months and continue through to at least a year are eligible to receive food packages for that entire year. Exclusively breastfed infants are also eligible to receive an increased amount of baby food, including baby food meats, at 6 months of age (the age at which WIC supports introducing infants to solid foods).
WIC supports any infant feeding choice a mother makes, and we strive to provide assistance and education through each stage of pregnancy, infancy, and the toddler years.
Non-Discrimination Statement
In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sec, 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.
Washington WIC does not discriminate.
Stay Close, Sleep Apart
This campaign is intended to educate and increase awareness in community on safe infant sleep practices, resulting in behavior change that contributes to less infant mortality.
Women, Infants & Children (WIC) Program for Health Care Providers
Partnerships with medical providers are critical to the success of the WIC program.
Access to Baby & Child Dentistry Program
Matches Medicaid-eligible children, ages 0-6, to a dentist for fluoride, exams, parent education and restorative care.