nutrition and wic services

Kansas Department of Health and Environment The Kansas Wic Program
WIC Stands for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children. It's a USDA federally-funded program that provides supplemental foods and nutrition education to income eligible pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants, and children up to five years old.
WIC ELIGIBILITY INCLUDES
Income
Household income less than 185% of the poverty level. Income eligibility varies depending on the number of people in your household. Examples of gross annual income are: Household of 2 - $20,813 Household of 4 - $31,543 Automatic income eligibity for participants in the Food Stamp Program, Temporary Assistance for Families, and Medicaid Program.
Residency
Must live in Kansas.
Categorical
Must be a pregnant, breastfeeding, or postpartum woman, infant, or child up to five years old.
Nutritional Risk
Must demonstrate nutritional risk as determined by a health professional.
AUTHORIZED WIC FOODS INCLUDE
For Infants
Iron-fortified Infant Formula, Infant Cereal, or Juice
For women and children
Milk or Cheese, Cereal, Eggs, Juice, Dry Beans or Peanut Butter.

Special food packages are available for the homeless, children or women with special health needs, and women who exclusively breastfeed.

How Do I Qualify for WIC?
The first step was getting a WIC appointment. In order to qualify, you must:
  1. Be pregnant, breastfeeding, or have recently had a baby, or be a child under five years of age
  2. Meet the income guidelines of the program
  3. Live in Kansas
  4. Be found to have a nutrition need by a WIC health professional
What Do I Need To Bring To The Appointment?
On the appointment day, be sure to bring the papers you were given with this sheet. Completely fill out the papers before you come. If you need help in filling out the papers, let the WIC clinic know.

Also Bring
  1. each person who wishes to be on WIC (infant, child or woman)
  2. proof of income (check stub) for all people living in your house. If your family gets assistance from any SRS program, please bring proof of this eligibility.
  3. proof of residency (an envelope that was mailed to you, rent receipts, utility bills)
  4. proof of identity (photo driver's license, birth certificate, immunization records) for all applicants.
Can Someone Else Bring My Child For The Appointment?
Yes, but WIC needs the signature of a parent or legal guardian to do the health check. Call the WIC office to make arrangements.
When Will I Know If I Get WIC Benefits?
You will find out if you qualify for WIC the day you come for the appointment. At the appointment, a WIC staff member will review all the papers you have brought and ask some questions about the applicant's health and diet. A test will be done to check blood iron levels. Height and weight will also be checked. The WIC staff will also answer any questions you may have about nutrition for you, your infant, or child. If you qualify for WIC, you will get vouchers for food the same day as the appointment. The WIC staff will show you how to use the vouchers at the store and what foods can be purchased.
WIC Can Help You:

  1. Stretch the money you earn
  2. Get nutritious food for you and your family
  3. Give your children a head start on good health
Who Does WIC Help?
WIC helps families who have special needs for healthy foods. You or your family members may qualify if:
  1. You are pregnant
  2. You are breastfeeding a child under one year of age
  3. Have had a baby in the last six months
  4. Have an infant or a child under five years of age
How Does WIC Help?
WIC is a food and nutrition program that helps families. At no cost, WIC Provides:
  1. healthy food for members of the family on WIC
  2. nutrition advice to help you choose the right foods
  3. ideas on how to stretch your food dollar
  4. referrals to services your family might use like immunizations and well child check-ups.
What Kinds Of Foods Does WIC Offer?
When someone qualifies for WIC, they get vouchers that can be used at WIC grocery stores. Each voucher has certain kinds of foods that are needed for good health.

Wic can also provide
Milk, Cheese, Infant Formula, Cereal, Infant Cereal, Tuna, Juice, Dried Beans, Eggs, Peanut Butter, Carrots These foods are good sources of important nutrients such as protein, iron, calcium and vitamin C. WIC does not supply all the foods your family will need. The money you save by using WIC vouchers can be used to add even more healthy foods to your family meals.