MISSION:  To safeguard the health of low to moderate income pregnant and postpartum women, infants, & children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk by providing nutritious foods to supplement diets, information on healthy eating, and referrals to health care.

HOW WIC WORKS

The WIC staff is a caring team of experts who provide:

  • Counseling on how to use WIC foods to improve health

  • Checks to buy foods that help keep you healthy and strong

  • Immunization screening and referrals

  • Discussions on food shopping, recipes, taking care of babies and how to breastfeed

  • Information on good eating during pregnancy, breastfeeding and infant and child feeding

  • Referrals to doctors, health centers and clinics, dentists and programs such as Food Stamps, Transitional Assistance to Families with Dependant Children (TAFDC), Medicaid/MassHealth, Healthy Start, Early Intervention, Children's Medical Security Plan, daycare and fuel assistance.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR WIC?

You are eligible if you:

  • Live in Massachusetts

  • Are a pregnant, postpartum or breastfeeding woman, an infant or child under 5 years of age

  • Have a nutritional need

  • Have a household income that is less than or equal to the income guidelines

  • You are automatically eligible for WIC if you currently receive Transitional Assistance to Families with Dependant Children (TAFDC), Food Stamps or MassHealth.

Fathers, Guardians or Foster Parents may apply for WIC for their children.

HOW TO APPLY FOR WIC:

To set up an appointment, call the WIC program nearest you or call 1-800-942-1007 for assistance.  Local WIC program staff will tell you what to bring to your appointment.  At your appointment, a WIC Nutritionist will review your diet and your health history.  If you are eligible, you will receive nutrition information and counseling, referrals to other services and checks to buy foods such as:

 

  • milk

  • fruit juice

  • cheese

  • infant formula

  • eggs

  • peanut butter

  • tuna fish

  • carrots

  • cereal

  • dried beans & peas

These foods help pregnant and breastfeeding women, babies and children to stay healthy and strong.

For more on WIC, click on the following link to the official WIC website at the US Department of Agriculture: www.fns.usda.gov/wic/