What Is the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program?

The federal government has legislated a variety of financial assistance programs over the years, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) was first authorized by Section 17 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966. However, it only began in 1974 after a two-year pilot program. It funnels federal grants to the states that are used to provide food, healthcare referrals, and nutritional education to low-income pregnant and postpartum women, breastfeeding women, and nutritionally at-risk infants and children up to age 5.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) administers WIC. The program had about 344,000 participants in 1975 and grew rapidly. WIC now serves about half the infants born in the United States. However, enrollment has declined in recent years, both in caseloads and share of eligible families served. Modernization is needed to make the program more accessible to eligible families and to make participation possible for mothers who return to work.

The USDA also runs nutrition programs for older children from low-income families. These include federally assisted free or low-cost breakfast and lunch programs in schools and residential childcare facilities. 

Benefits of Good Nutrition

Four decades of research have found that pregnant women who participate in WIC give birth to healthier babies who are more likely to survive infancy. WIC mothers have better infant feeding practices and diet. They buy and eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products. Children of participating mothers were immunized at higher rates. They had better mental development at two years of age and performed better on reading assessments later in life.

Typical Benefits Provided by WIC

WIC mothers receive free food items, much of it farm surplus, including beans, cereal, cheese, eggs, infant formula, juice, milk, and peanut butter. They also receive vouchers to buy WIC-approved fruits and vegetables from farmers’ markets. Services provided include breastfeeding education and support, nutrition education and counseling, and referrals to other health, welfare, and social services. 

Applying for WIC

Automatic Enrollment

• Medicaid 
• The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as “food stamps”
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF, formerly known as AFDC, or Aid to Families with Dependent Children)

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants do not have to be on another assistance program to receive WIC benefits. To be eligible, the person must be one of the following:

• Pregnant
• Postpartum (up to six months after the end of the pregnancy)
• Breastfeeding (up to infant’s first birthday)

Income eligibility is 100% to 185% of the federal poverty income guidelines, and it varies among states. Applicants must be seen by a health professional, who will determine whether the individual is at nutritional risk. In many cases, this is done in the WIC clinic at no cost to the applicant. 

Apply in Your Home State

A list of state WIC program offices, phone numbers, and websites is available from the USDA. Applications may also be available at county health departments, hospitals, schools, mobile clinics, community centers, public housing sites, migrant health centers and camps, and Native American health services facilities.