NKY Health
WIC
Program
The Northern Kentucky Health Department operates the region’s WIC (Women, Infants & Children) Program, helping improve the health and well-being of more than 7,000 pregnant women, infants, children, and families each year in the area’s four counties. WIC is a federal program that provides nutritious foods, along with nutrition and breastfeeding education, at no cost to eligible women. These services can be obtained at any of the Health Department’s health centers, at certain off-site locations, or by phone.
Benefits of the WIC Program
WIC is a short-term assistance that helps families help themselves. WIC mothers can come to classes or get one-on-one help to learn how to make healthy meals for their family. They get monthly supplies of foods high in protein, iron, vitamin C, and calcium. But WIC brings more to the table than just good food. Moms can also get answers to health and nutrition questions, as well as help making infant feeding choices, and encouragement on breastfeeding, childhood shots, and children’s growth checkups.
Nutritious
Food
Foods you or your children may receive include:
- Milk, cheese and yogurt
- Vitamin C-rich juices
- Iron-rich cereals
- Eggs
- Dried beans or peanut butter
- A baby may receive infant formula, infant meats, fruits and vegetables, and infant cereal
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Whole grains (bread, rice, pasta, or tortillas)
Breastfeeding Support
Breastfeeding Peer Counselors are WIC moms who have successfully breastfed their children, and can offer other new moms breastfeeding information, support and encouragement, including:
• How breastfeeding helps moms and babies.
• How to position and latch the baby for comfortable/effective feeding.
• How to tell if the baby is getting enough to eat.
• Tips to help breastfeeding go smoothly.
The Peer Counselors are available by phone outside of normal business hours to assist moms who may have questions about breastfeeding. The peer counselors are all moms who have breastfed successfully and have participated in WIC. Peer counselors provide support anytime a new mother needs it.
Nutrition
Education
Foods you or your children may receive include:
- Milk, cheese and yogurt
- Vitamin C-rich juices
- Iron-rich cereals
- Eggs
- Dried beans or peanut butter
- A baby may receive infant formula, infant meats, fruits and vegetables, and infant cereal
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Whole grains (bread, rice, pasta, or tortillas)
Getting Started
Eligibility
To be eligible for WIC, you must:
- Be a pregnant, breastfeeding or postpartum womanOR an infant/children up to 5 years old.
- Have a household income at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty level (see the chart below).
- Meet income guidelinesOR have a Kentucky medical card, receive Kentucky Transitional Assistance Program (K-TAP) benefits or food stamps (SNAP), or have a pregnant woman or infant in the family who receives Medicaid or K-TAP.
- Be a resident of Kentucky.
Applying for WIC
You can set up an appointment to apply for WIC through a county health center.
Make sure you bring the following items to your appointment:
- Proof of household income, such as pay stubs, W-2 forms, or current medical card.
- Proof of residence, such as current bill with your address, bank statement, lease agreement, mortgage agreement, or current medical card.
- Proof of identity, such as a driver’s license, birth certificate, social security card, shot record, or current medical card.
Program Integrity
Selling or trading WIC formula, foods of e-WIC cards is program violation that could result in criminal charges and/or disqualification from receiving future benefits.
Mobile App
Kentucky WIC families can use the free WICShopper mobile app to view your benefits and determine if foods are WIC eligible.
Celebrating 50 Years
The WIC Program began in 1974 at the Bell County Health Center in Pineville, KY, and for the last 50 years has been at the center of positive public health outcomes, championing access to healthy food, breastfeeding support, health screenings, and referrals.
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