Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
What is WIC?
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is a federally-funded program that serves pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants and children up to age 5 who live in Summit County and who meet income guidelines.
The program provides a combination of nutrition education, supplemental foods, breastfeeding promotion and support, and referrals to health care.
WIC foods are selected to meet nutrient needs such as calcium, iron, folic acid, vitamins A & C, and protein.
Participants exchange WIC food coupons at approved retail grocery stores.
What does WIC Provide?
Foods for Infants (Birth-12 Months)
The WIC Program strongly encourages and provides support for breastfeeding. For babies who are not fully breastfed, iron-fortified infant formula is available for the first year of life. The state contracts with one formula company to provide formula at a reduced price. Infants may also receive infant cereal and infant fruits and vegetables during the first year.
Infants with specific medical diagnoses may receive a special formula with a prescription from a doctor.
Foods for Women and Children
Pregnant and postpartum women and children (under 5 years of age) participating in WIC receive food coupons for milk, cheese, eggs, cereals, peanut butter or dried beans or peas, and fresh fruits and vegetables.
Special formulas or nutritional supplements are also available to participating women and children who have certain medical conditions.
- WIC nutrition education assists WIC participants with:
- Infant and child nutrition
- Breastfeeding education and support
- Prenatal and post partum nutrition
- Anemia (iron deficiency)
- Other nutrition-related health issues
High-Risk Nutrition Counseling
Registered Dietitians at WIC provide individualized high-risk nutrition counseling for participants with special medical conditions or nutrition-related health issues.
Health Care Referrals
WIC works closely with the healthcare community, receiving referrals from private and public health care providers and providing referrals as needed for health and social services.
WIC refers participants for immunizations, substance abuse counseling and treatment, prenatal care, smoking cessation, lead screening, the Healthy Kids/EI Child program, and more.
WIC encourages persons already receiving medical services to remain under their physicians’ care. WIC also encourages well-child visits and routine health and dental care.
Breastfeeding Promotion and Support
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding for the first year of life. All WIC agencies have trained personnel ready to assist mothers with the basics of breastfeeding.
Many WIC agencies have breastfeeding peer counselor support programs that provide mother-to-mother counseling. In addition, WIC agencies provide educational resources and breast pumps for women meeting certain criteria.
Who Qualifies for WIC
To be on WIC, you must:
- Live in Summit County, Utah. You do not have to be a US citizen.
- Need to meet WIC income guidelines, see list below. Note: a person receiving Medicaid, the Family Employment Program (TANF) or Food Stamps already meets the income eligibility requirements.
- Have a nutritional or medical risk.
- Be in one of the following groups:
- a woman who has just had a baby (or women within six months of a miscarriage)
- an infant
- child less than 5 years of age
Other Common Questions about WIC
Where do I apply for WIC?
You can apply for WIC at the local health department in your county. Click here for a list of WIC clinics in Utah.
What happens at a WIC appointment?
To apply for WIC, you must first make an appointment with the Summit County Health Department. Call your local clinic:
- Coalville – 435-336-3234
- Kamas – 435-783-3161
- Park City – 435-333-1515
Summit County WIC Schedule
- Coalville: 1st Monday & Tuesday of each month
- Kamas: 1st Wednesday, Thursday & Friday of each month
- Park City: Call ahead for clinic dates – 435-333-1515
At your appointment, you will need to bring the following information:
- Proof of current income. You will need to bring current check stubs from all those that are employed in your family. Try to bring pay stubs from the last two checks. You may also bring your Medicaid card, or a letter from Human Services showing how much you receive in Food Stamps or the Family Employment Program.
- Proof of residency (address). This should be a utility bill or a rent/mortgage receipt with a street address printed on it.
- Proof of identity. Bring identity for everyone who will be on the WIC program. You may bring a driver’s license, birth certificate, Medicaid card or call for other forms of ID.
- Immunization record for all children.
Talk to the WIC clinic if you are having problems bringing any of the above information.
At the clinic, you will be asked many questions. Don’t worry, all information shared with the WIC clinic is confidential.
After a short interview process with WIC staff you will receive information that will help you to improve your family’s diet. Ask the nutritionist any questions you might have. She and all the WIC staff are there to help you.
Lastly, you will receive WIC vouchers and an ID packet. Vouchers are like regular checks with a few exceptions. Each voucher has a list of specific foods you can buy at the store. You cannot buy anything that is not listed on your vouchers.
Vouchers also contain a spot for a signature. The signature on the check must match the signature on your ID packet.
How do I use my WIC vouchers?
You may shop at any store that has been approved as an Authorized WIC Vendor.
Many stores that are approved have a sign in the window. You may also ask the store manager or your clinic staff if you are not sure where to shop.
Each voucher you receive will have a list of the foods WIC has prescribed for you. Using your Food Card List, select the least expensive brand of some items listed. For example, if you have “2 gallons milk” on your voucher, you should select the cheapest milk they have on the shelf. If you are shopping for your young child, select the whole milk that costs the least.
As you shop, separate the foods you are buying with your WIC vouchers from any other foods you are buying. Before ringing up your WIC foods, tell the cashier that you will be buying this food with WIC vouchers. If you are using more that one voucher, help the cashier by separating your foods by voucher.
Here are a few other tips to keep in mind when shopping with WIC vouchers:
- Do not use your WIC vouchers before the “First Day to Use” or after the “Last Day to Use.” Look at the dates before going to the store and again before giving the voucher to the cashier at the store.
- Always take your ID packet to the store. The cashier at the store will use your ID packet as a way to match signatures on the voucher.
WIC Program Non-Discrimination Statement
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found here, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
(1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
(2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.