The Woman, Infants, and Children (WIC) Food and Nutrition Service is a supplemental nutrition program run by the Department of State Health Services that provides nutrition education and counseling, nutritious foods, referrals to health and human services, breastfeeding support, and immunizations (at some clinics) to women, infants, and children. A WIC recipient will receive an EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) card that can be used to purchase only WIC-approved items. Benefits are issued at each appointment (about every three months) along with a list of WIC-approved foods. It is a short term program. An eligible individual usually receives WIC benefits from 6 months to a year, at which time she/he must reapply.

U.S. citizenship is not required to apply for WIC.

Benefits

Studies show that WIC plays an important role in improving birth outcomes, containing health-care costs and impacting children’s diets positively. WIC clients also have improved rates of childhood immunizations and a regular source of health care. Food benefits are issued for each client and both fathers and mothers can receive and spend the benefits for their children.

  • Supplemental nutritious foods: Monthly benefits are provided to buy nutritious foods at grocery stores. 
  • Vouchers for clients to shop at farmers’ markets to buy fresh vegetables and fruits. are provided by some WIC clinics.
  • Nutrition education and counseling at WIC clinics(Topics include how to get the most out of food dollars, picky eaters, eating healthfully during pregnancy for mom and baby, tips for pregnant teens, and many more)
    • WIC Web classes are also offered
  • Breastfeeding Support: Clients receive encouragement and instruction in breastfeeding. Women receive free breast pumps. 
  • Screenings and referrals to other health, welfare and social services
    • Medicaid
    • Food Stamps
    • Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)
    • Child health insurance
    • Family planning
    • Migrant health services
    • Prenatal care
    • Texas Health Steps (EPSDT)
    • Medical and dental services
    • Early Childhood Intervention (ECI)
    • The School Lunch / Breakfast Summer Lunch Program
    • Food Pantries
    • Literacy Services
    • Job Banks
    • Housing Services
    • Parenting Classes
    • Drug and alcohol abuse programs
    • Child care
    • Child support enforcement
  • Immunizations free of charge to WIC clients.

Eligibility

Categorical Requirement
The WIC Program is designed to serve certain categories of women, infants, and children. The following are categorically eligible for WIC.

Women:
  • pregnant (during pregnancy and up to 6 weeks after the birth of an infant or the end of the pregnancy)
  • postpartum (up to six months after the birth of the infant or the end of the pregnancy)
  • breast feeding (up to the infant’s first birthday)
Infants and Children:
  • Up to the child’s fifth birthday

Residential Requirement

Applicants must live in the state in which they apply. They are not required to live in the state or local service area for a certain amount of time. 

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Income Requirement 

Income Eligibility Guidelines 2011-2012

Households with incomes at or below 185% of the federal poverty income level are eligible. Applicants can also be determined automatically income-eligible based on participation in certain programs.
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Nutrition Risk Requirement

A health professional such as a physician, nurse, or nutritionist must determine whether an individual is at nutrition risk, meaning that an individual has medical-based or dietary-based conditions (Ex: anemia (low blood levels), underweight, history of poor pregnancy outcome, or a poor diet). In many cases, this can be done in the WIC clinic at no additional cost.
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Applying

Application Process

To apply to be a WIC participant, patients will need to call or stop by their State or local agency to set up an appointment. When they call to set up an appointment, someone will tell them the location nearest to them and what they need to bring with them. Each person applying to WIC must go to the clinic for the appointment.

  • Call the Toll Free Number for Texas: 1 (800) WIC-FORU or 1-800-942-3678 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Find the Closest WIC Clinic

Documentation List 

These documents need to be taken for the application process. If a patient has any questions about what to bring, lacks some item below, or has a special situation, he/she must call or go by the clinic before their appointment. Not bringing in all the documentation at the time of their appointment may delay eligibility determination and benefits because a complete screen must be done before determined eligible.

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    1. Proof of Income (Bring all sources available)

         Reference Guidelines (refer to section “What are the income guidelines?)
  • Paycheck stub
  • Current tax return
  • Letter from an employer
  • Social Security check
  • Child-support check
  • Self-employed accounting records
  • If receiving financial support outside of household, a letter from person/social service with their name and type of support given.
    2. Proof of Current Benefits (Bring in all that apply)
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Applicants and certain family members who receive Medicaid, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, or Food Stamps automatically meet income eligibility by bringing acceptable proof of their participation in one of these programs—they do not have to bring other income documents.
  • Program ID Card            
  • Notice of Program Eligibility

    3. Proof of Identity of Woman (Bring in one)

  • Photo Identification (Driver’s License or Passport)
  • Work/School ID Card
  • Social Security Card
  • Voter Registration
  • Woman’s Birth Certificate
  • Tribal ID Card
  • Military ID
  • Hospital ID Bracelet
  • Medical Records

 **If they are on WIC, they must also bring their Texas WIC Program I.D. or the WIC Lone Star Card.**    


    4. Proof of Identity for child/infant (Bring in One)

  • Child’s Birth Certificate
  • Immunization Records
  • Hospital ID Bracelet
  • Medical Records
  • Adoption Papers

    5. Proof of residency (Bring in one)

  • Current Utility Bill (phone, gas, water, etc.)
  • Rent or mortgage receipt/lease agreement
  • Voter Registration with current address
  • Written statement from reliable third party        
  • U.S. citizenship is NOT a requirement for eligibility.

    6. Proof of pregnancy (Bring in One)

  • Estimated Date of Conception (EDC) statement
  • Expected Date of Delivery (EDD) statement
  • Positive pregnancy test statement from health care facility
  • Sonogram

    7. Immunization Records for infants and children, if available.

 

    8. Useful Links

Application Homepage: http://texaswic.dshs.state.tx.us/wiclessons/english/splash/

         Short Guide to WIC (Good to print and hand to patients):
http://texaswic.dshs.state.tx.us/wiclessons/english/about/Eligibility-Requirements.pdf

         FAQ: http://texaswic.dshs.state.tx.us/wiclessons/english/faq/