You’ve probably heard of WIC (the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children) — but do you know how it works and if you’re eligible?
To qualify for WIC, which provides supplemental foods such as formula, baby food, produce, dairy and pantry staples, you must:
- be a resident of Virginia
- be pregnant, post-partum or have a child under 5
- have household income within WIC guidelines (which allow for higher household income than SNAP or Medicaid).
Eligibility begins at annual income of $21,775 for a household of one and goes up to $75,647 for a household of eight. Pregnant women count as two people. To see if you qualify, review the WIC income chart.
The Virginia WIC program provides foods tailored to the participants’ diets with specific nutrients.
- For children, packages are based on the child’s age and for infants, whether they are fully formula fed or fully breastfed.
- For women, packages are tailored for those who are pregnant, postpartum or fully breastfeeding.
See examples of the food packages for each group for a better idea of what WIC participants receive.
For more information or assistance, call the Richmond WIC office at (804) 482-5500 (ext. 1) or visit at 400 E. Cary St., Richmond, VA 23219.
Milhen Eckhart, a WIC Outreach Nutritionist for the City of Richmond, is bilingual in English and Spanish and is passionate about helping families succeed through health and wellness.
