Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
Supplemental Food and Nutrition Program
What is WIC? WIC stands for Women, Infants and Children. The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). It is a health and nutrition program that has demonstrated a positive effect on pregnancy outcomes and child growth and development. It helps to correct or prevent malnutrition in low and moderate income families including pregnant and breastfeeding women, women who recently had a baby, infants and children up to 5 years old. WIC provides supplemental foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support and education and makes referrals to other needed services within our Community.
- Each month, more than 200,000 moms, babies and children less than 5 years of age receive nutritious foods from the Michigan WIC Program.
- WIC foods are worth between $30-$112 or more per participant each month.
- One out of every two babies born in Michigan receive WIC benefits.
- The earlier a pregnant woman receives nutritional benefits from WIC, the more likely she is to seek prenatal care and deliver a normal weight infant.
- For every dollar spent by this program, more than three dollars in health care costs are saved.
- Local communities are supported with more than $1 million yearly when WIC foods are purchased at local grocery stores.
To learn more or schedule an appointment, please call 1-800-504-2650, extension 1826. For the local phone number and location of WIC agencies in your county, see Office Locations.
Breastfeeding Education and Support: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding through the first year of life. WIC has specially trained staff that will educate and support mothers with their breastfeeding goals. To learn more about how WIC supports breastfeeding moms and babies, click here.
Supplemental Foods: WIC clients receive electronic benefits (EBT) on the Michigan WIC Bridge Card which provides nutritious foods to help supplement and improve their diet. Women and children may receive low fat milk, cheese, low fat yogurt, eggs, juices rich in Vitamin C, cereals, canned or dried beans or peanut butter, fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grain bread, and infant foods and formula for babies.
Nutrition Education: Nutrition education is offered to all WIC clients or their caregivers. WIC participants can learn more about good nutrition and weight gain during pregnancy, how to feed an infant or toddler, anemia or iron deficiency and childhood growth and development and other nutrition related health issues. In addition, Registered Dietitians (RD) can provide individualized high risk nutrition counseling for participants with special medical conditions or nutrition-related health issues.
Health Care Referrals: WIC helps to ensure that families benefit from other appropriate health and social services in the community. The WIC Program will screen for other health problems and make referrals as needed. Examples of these referrals include Medicaid, Food Stamps (SNAP), immunizations, family planning and other community programs.
Who is Eligible for WIC?
Those eligible to receive WIC are the following individuals:
- Pregnant and breastfeeding women
- Women who recently had a baby
- Infants from birth to 12 months
- Children who are 1 to 5 years
- Resident of Michigan including those residing in group home, shelter, or other instructions
- Be Income Eligible at or below 185% of federal Poverty Income Guidelines
- Any Family receiving Medicaid or Food Stamps (SNAP)
What Does WIC Cost?
WIC services are FREE to applicants and clients.
Is WIC Effective?
Yes! WIC is a proven effective health care program. Evaluations of WIC show that:
- WIC encourages pregnant women to see their physicians earlier and receive timely prenatal care.
- WIC improves pregnancy outcomes by providing or referring to support services necessary for full term pregnancies.
- WIC participation improves the diet of pregnant women and improves the length of pregnancy and infant birth weight.
- WIC participation reduces infant mortality by reducing the incidence of low birth weight infants (under 5 ½ pounds). Low birth weight infants are at greater risk for breathing problems, brain injuries, and physical abnormalities.
- WIC significantly reduces anemia among preschool children.
- WIC children are better immunized and more likely to have a regular source of health care.
How Can I Find Out More About WIC?
Call District Health Department No. 4 at 1-800-221-0294, for more information or to schedule an appointment. See Office Locations for clinic nearest to you.
To check eligibility and schedule an appointment on-line, visit the WIC Client Connect website here.
Please bring with you to your appointment:
- Proof of residency
- Proof of Identity
- Proof of income
- Person that is being enrolled in WIC
- Proof of pregnancy (if indicated)
Office hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 am – 4:00 PM. If these hours are difficult for you, please ask the WIC staff about our late clinic. You must have an appointment to receive WIC benefits and services.
DHD4 offers interpretation services through a language line.
Introducing WIC Client Connect!
WIC at your fingertips! Use this new website to access your benefit information and other important information about your WIC account. Click here to create you Client Connect account.
For individuals new to WIC:
- Learn about WIC
- See if you are eligible for WIC
- Find WIC clinics or grocery stores near you
Current WIC Clients can:
- Ask for an appointment
- Find out when your next appointment is
- Find your benefit balance
WIC Project FRESH-Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program
The Farmers’ Market Nutrition
Program (FMNP) is known in Michigan as Project FRESH and administrated by the WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) program. WIC Project FRESH helps to provide healthy and nutritious produce to Michigan WIC participants, while fostering economic development by promoting our state’s diverse agricultural products. The program provides low-income, nutritionally-at-risk WIC participants with eligible, locally grown, fresh, unprepared fruits and vegetables from authorized farmers, farmers’ markets and roadside stands throughout Michigan.
How Do WIC Project FRESH Coupons Work?
Enrolled WIC participants, excluding infants, may be eligible to receive a $25 booklet containing five, $5 coupons to be used June 1st through October 31st in the year the booklet is issued. It is the responsibility of the WIC local agency staff to identify eligible participants and issue coupons at either the local WIC agencies, farmers’ markets, or roadside stands.
What May Be Purchased With WIC Project FRESH Coupons?
WIC Project FRESH coupons can only be used to buy eligible, locally grown, fresh, unprepared fruits and vegetables from authorized farmers, farmers’ markets and roadside stands. WIC participants are encouraged to use all their coupons during the season to help meet their special nutritional needs. They are especially encouraged to buy broccoli, carrots, potatoes, squash, peaches, apples and tomatoes. A variety of produce rich in vitamins A, C, and folic acid are emphasized.
How Do WIC Participants Know Which Farmers’ Markets Are Authorized?
To assist clients, all authorized farmers, farmers’ markets, and roadside stands, will have a laminated yellow poster stating: “Project FRESH Coupons Accepted Here” posted at their stands. In FY 2016, 1,394 Michigan farmers, 138 Michigan farmers’ markets, and 164 roadside stands were authorized to accept WIC Project FRESH coupons. WIC Project FRESH served more than 27,000 clients through 48 local health agencies in 77 counties in Michigan.
How Do Farmers Become Involved In The WIC Project FRESH Program?
Farmers, Farmers’ Markets, and Roadside stands interested in the WIC Project FRESH Program should contact Lissa Smith BEFORE APRIL 1st of each year at (517) 335-8901 or at SmithL77@michigan.gov.
How Do Clients Get WIC Project FRESH Coupon Booklets?
WIC clients wanting more information on WIC Project FRESH coupons must contact their local WIC Clinic.
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 online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, 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 (3) Email: firstname.lastname@example.org.