Who is Eligible?
The WIC Program serves pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women, infants and children through age 5 who are at nutritional risk and who meet the Program's income guidelines.
Women are eligible until six months after delivery and up to a year after delivery if they are breastfeeding.
Income Eligibility
Applicants must be low-income residents of New Jersey. The maximum income limit for WIC participation is 185% of the federal poverty level. For example, the maximum limit in 2005 for a family of 4 is $35,798. Individuals currently receiving benefits from Medicaid, Food Stamps or TANF are also determined to be income eligible.
Program Benefits
Nutrition Education and Breastfeeding Promotion/Support - WIC participants receive both individual and peer/group counseling sessions by nutritionists, nurses, lactation professionals, peer counselors or other trained personnel. In addition, breastfeeding is encouraged as the preferred method of infant feeding.
Supplemental Foods - WIC provides certain supplemental foods that supply key nutrients often lacking in the diets of WIC participants. Women and children receive supplemental amounts of fortified milk, cheese, eggs, cereals high in iron, peanut butter or dried beans or peas and fruit juices high in vitamin C.
Exclusively breastfeeding women also receive tuna fish and carrots. Infants who are not breastfed receive iron-fortified formula. Infants may also receive iron-fortified infant cereal and fruit juices high in vitamin C. In cases when an infant requires a specialized formula for a medical problem, it may be provided with a prescription from a doctor.
More Information
WIC services are provided at more than 200 locations in New Jersey. For more information, call 1-800-328-3838, or visit the WIC Program Information page from the Family Health Services Web site. |
