The purpose of WIC is to give mothers and children the best possible start by providing the best possible nutrition during critical stages of development.
Desde el Embarazo hasta los Cinco Años: WIC la respalda desde su embarazo hasta que su bebé cumpla los cinco años. ¡Aplique para WIC!
WIC provides nutrition education which supports pregnant and breastfeeding moms and their children. The supplemental foods provided are high in protein, iron, calcium, and vitamins that are critical for proper growth. WIC meets with individuals and their families one-on-one and educates on health topics to promote health, prevent obesity and promote physical activity.
- WIC is 100% funded by federal grants, rebates from infant formula, and cereal companies so Texas state funds are not used for benefits.
- WIC clients spend more than $565 million federal food dollars in Texas grocery stores, which benefits the local economy.
- WIC reduces Medicaid costs in the prevention of preterm babies by an average of $32,325 per year per preterm infant born in America.
- Four and five year olds whose mothers participated in WIC prenatally have better vocabulary test scores than children of mothers who were not on WIC.
- According to a November 2019 study, national trends indicate a decline in obesity among WIC-enrolled young children ages 2-4 years.
Are you eligible for WIC?
- Meet the income guidelines. Households with incomes at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty income level are eligible. WIC determines income based on gross income. WIC counts all of the members of a household, related or unrelated. WIC counts an unborn baby as a household member.
- Be at nutritional risk. WIC clients receive an initial health and diet screening at a WIC clinic to determine nutritional risk. WIC uses two main categories of nutritional risk: (1) medically-based risks such as a history of poor pregnancy outcome, underweight status, or iron-deficiency anemia, and (2) diet-based risks such as poor eating habits that can lead to poor nutritional and health status. Clients will be counseled at WIC about these risks and the outcome influenced by nutrition education and nutritious foods provided by WIC.
- Live in Texas. WIC clients usually receive services in the county where they live. U.S. citizenship is not a requirement for eligibility.
Clients must apply in person except in certain limited cases.
What to bring to your first WIC appointment:
- Identification for yourself and each person applying for WIC.
- Proof of Residence with your name, street address, city, state and zip code.
- Proof of Income for Everyone in the Household.
- Immunization records for infants and children, if available.
- Social Security numbers for everyone in the household, if available.
For more information, visit http://texaswic.org.
Click here to start your application online.
WIC clinics held in Diboll, Huntington and Zavalla! Call (936) 637-7242.