WIC

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For other meanings of 'WIC' see WIC (disambiguation).

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (known as WIC) is a Federal assistance program of the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for healthcare and nutrition of low-income pregnant women, breastfeeding women, and infants and children under the age of five. {See Child nutrition programs) The eligibility requirement is a family income below 185% of the U.S. Poverty Income Guidelines. If a person participates in other benefit programs, or has family members who participate in the Food Stamp Program, Medicaid, or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, they automatically meet the eligibility requirements. This program is unrelated to the USDA's "Food Stamp" program.

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children was created by a 1972 bill Senator Hubert Humphrey (D) of Minnesota introduced. It is a federally funded program established by Congress in September 1972 under Public Law 92-433, section 17 to the Child Nutrition Act of 1966. [1] It was made permanent in 1975. Currently, WIC serves 45% of all infants born in the US. [2]

WIC participants often receive a monthly check or voucher - or more recently an EBT card. The USDA implemented new rules in 2006 that required foods to be more price-competitive. This has resulted in the closure of many "WIC Only Stores". Formerly, these stores charged the maximum permitted under the program, charging up to 16% more than regular stores for the same food. [3]. However, the WIC program is one of most successful government programs. A national study done by Mathematica in 1994 showed WIC benefit cost ratios ranging from $1.77 to $3.13 saved for each $1 spent on WIC. [4]

Contents

[edit] The WIC Check/Voucher & EBT Card

The WIC check/voucher is a specially designed check that is compatible with retail point-of-sale check readers and printers. The front of the check displays the recipient’s name and recipient number, a begin use- and an end-use date, a list of allowable items to be purchased with the check/voucher, including the quantity and/or maximum weight of the allowed items listed. The WIC recipient can choose if they want only some or all of the items listed on the check. The check also has an area for the cashier to enter the sale total, and an area for the recipient to sign the check/voucher at the time of use.

Alternately, many States (notably Texas) have moved away from a paper system of checks and vouchers. The conversion of the WIC program to EBT cards has automated a great deal of the process and provides better care for the children and mothers currently using WIC. The cards are similar to consumer credit/debit cards but are exclusively used for purchasing WIC-approved items.

[edit] Items Not Provided By WIC

The food items not provided by WIC includes: Beer, wine, whiskey, liquor, cigarettes, and cigars. The USDA provides a constant feedback loop to improve the items provided by WIC, and nutritional value and costs are carefully evaluated to maximize program effectivity.

[edit] The Responsibilities Of The WIC Recipient

The usual responsibilities of a WIC recipient are:

-Being responsible for the WIC check/voucher and the recipient's WIC identification card. In many cases, a WIC check/voucher cannot be replaced if the check is damaged or lost.

-Using the WIC check/voucher within the specified date range.

-Selecting only the specified items on the check/voucher. The items also must also be WIC-allowed items. For instance, a WIC check/voucher holder purchasing a gallon of milk must select the lowest cost product, usually store brand and not the premium brand.

-Must not exceed a certain sale amount (this is not used for all WIC checks/vouchers, depending on local/state regulations).

-Complying with retail personnel during a WIC transaction.

[edit] External links

[edit] References

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