What is WIC?
The Women, Infants and Children program, called WIC, provides benefits to purchase certain foods and nutrition education for pregnant women, women who just had a baby, breastfeeding women , and children up to age 5 (including foster children and children raised by their father as well as other children).
You qualify for WIC if
- You are pregnant now or within the last six months
- And/or you have a child under the age of five years
(Migrant farm workers, dads, foster parents, grandparents, and other caregivers who are in one or more of the categories listed above are welcome to apply.)
If you receive Medi-Cal, CalWORKS, or CalFresh (Food Stamps), you could meet the income eligibility for WIC. U.S. citizenship is not a requirement for receiving WIC. The non-cash benefits provided by WIC do not affect immigration status.
If you are pregnant, bring verification when you apply. Also, you or your child must be medically identified as in need of better nutrition. It is helpful, but not required, to bring current medical information when you apply.
If you are treated unfairly in any way, you can complain to the supervisor at the WIC site or hand in a short note or letter requesting a hearing. Include the date, your name and address and an explanation of your complaint. Keep a copy of your letter.
For further eligibility information, visit: https://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/wic-eligibility-requirements