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formerly Mount Vernon Neighborhood Health Center

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Home | Supporting You | WIC Program

You may be eligible to receive FREE nutritious food and services through the WIC Program.

You may be eligible to receive free nutritious food and valuable services through the WIC Program.

What is the WIC Program?

WIC is the popular name for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). We are a local New York State administrator for the WIC Program. With WIC, eligible women, infants, and children can receive monthly supplemental food, nutrition education, and referrals to health care and other services.

The WIC Program is an income-based supplemental food program for pregnant, breastfeeding, or postpartum women and caregivers (mothers, fathers, foster parents, or legal guardians) of infants and children under five years of age. Eligible participants must meet WIC income guidelines and be certified by WIC staff to be at nutritional risk. Program participants are reevaluated every 6 months to see if they still qualify.

The maximum income to qualify for WIC is higher than food stamps, Medicaid, or public assistance. Persons who are not eligible for these programs may still qualify for WIC. WIC benefits are not considered income for any reason. They do not affect Food Stamp allowance, Medicaid benefits, or legal residence or citizenship applications.

Services the WIC Program provides

The WIC Program is a valuable resource for pregnant women and young families, offering:

  • Free supplemental nutritious food
  • Nutrition education with tips, recipes, and support
  • Healthy, affordable meal planning using foods provided by WIC
  • Community referrals to housing, child care, medical and dental care, and health insurance
  • Health screening for you and your family
  • Breastfeeding peer counseling
Mother and Son Eating Healthy Foods

How does the WIC Program work?

Eligible parents/legal guardians receive an eWIC Card to purchase WIC acceptable foods (see below) at WIC-approved stores in their neighborhoods. Up to 3 months of WIC food benefits can be placed on an eWIC card, but each monthly allotment must be used within a specified time. WIC food benefits are calculated by WIC Program staff depending on family size, resources, and other factors.

In addition to WIC-approved stores, WIC benefits are also accepted at local farmer’s markets. Your WIC Program representative will provide vouchers that can be used from June 1 to Sept 30 of each year at any farmer’s market within New York State.

WIC food benefits and balances can be checked by creating an account at wicconnect.com when you enroll in the Program. There is also a WIC2GO app to make shopping with eWIC benefits easier. The WIC2GO app can be downloaded on Apple or Android devices.

Types of food WIC covers

For Infants (less than one year)

  • formulas, including prescription formulas for infants with special medical needs
  • iron-fortified baby cereals (four months of age and older)
  • infant food, vegetables, and fruits (six months of age and older)

Foods for Women and Children

  • milk – low fat (1%), non-fat (skim), soy milk for children greater than 2 years
  • milk – whole (children 12-24 months)
  • iron-fortified cereals
  • cheese
  • eggs
  • vegetables
  • fruits
  • whole wheat or brown rice
  • dry beans or peanut butter
  • juices high in Vitamin C
  • tofu
  • tortillas

There is a wide variety of nutritious foods, brand-name items, and even holiday foods that are covered under the WIC Program. In addition to food lists on the WIC2GO app, the New York State’s WIC Food Guide provides a complete listing of qualified food items. An easy-to-carry, printable, and up-to-date WIC Acceptable Foods List is found on the New York State’s Department of Health website.

WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counseling

The WIC Program offers breastfeeding support, encouragement, and skills to make breastfeeding a success. New moms can reach out to a specially-trained Breastfeeding Peer Counselor in person, by text, or over the phone to get the information, resources, and support they need.

WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselors:

  • have personal breastfeeding experience
  • have been trained in basic breastfeeding techniques and counseling skills
  • provide basic breastfeeding information and support for WIC mothers to achieve their own breastfeeding goals
  • contact mothers regularly during pregnancy, the early days of breastfeeding, and until the mother chooses to wean her baby
  • can refer mothers to other community breastfeeding resources, lactation experts, or healthcare professionals

In-Person Counseling: Mothers can drop in at WIC Program Offices at WCHC Mount Vernon and WCHC Greenburgh locations during business hours to speak to Breastfeeding Support Counselors.

Counseling by Phone or Text: WIC mothers can also reach out to their Counselor during business hours with a phone number provided to them.

Eligibility requirements for WIC

To be eligible for WIC, applicants must meet certain residency and income requirements. Applicants must also show a nutritional need. You can receive WIC regardless of your immigration status.

  • Intended Program Recipients: The WIC Program is designed for pregnant, postpartum, or breastfeeding women, infants (up to a child’s first birthday), and children (up to a child’s fifth birthday).
  • Residency: Applicants are required to live in a local service area and apply at a WIC clinic that serves that area. Applicants are not required to live in the state or local service area for a certain amount of time in order to meet the WIC residency requirement.
  • Income-Eligible: Applicants are automatically income-eligible if they receive SNAP benefits, Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (formally known as AFDC), or other state-administered programs. Applicants can also be income-eligible if they make between 100 to no more than 185 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. See USDA WIC Income-Eligibility Guidelines for more information.
  • At nutritional risk: Applicants must be seen by a health professional such as a physician, nurse, or nutritionist who must determine whether the individual is at nutrition risk. When a medical screening is required, WIC staff can do it for free or you may choose to see your doctor. “Nutrition risk” means that an individual has medical-based or dietary-based conditions. Examples of medical-based conditions include anemia (low blood levels), being underweight, or a history of poor pregnancy outcomes. A dietary-based condition includes, for example, a poor diet.

How do I get started?

You should apply for WIC as soon as you know you are pregnant or at any time during your pregnancy. If you have children under the age of 5, you may apply at any time.

Your first step is to fill out the WIC Program Application. When we receive it, we will reach out to discuss your eligibility for the Program. If you meet the eligibility criteria, we will schedule an appointment in person or virtually for you with our WIC Program Assistant at one of our locations. If a medical screening is required, WIC staff can do it for free, or you may choose to see your doctor.

WIC Program staff are currently available at the WCHC Greenburgh and the WCHC Mount Vernon locations. Office visits are by appointment only. Spanish spoken.

START YOUR APPLICATION TODAY!

Have questions about the WIC Program?

For the WCHC Mount Vernon WIC Program, please contact (914) 530-3655. The WCHC Greenburgh WIC Program can be reached at (914) 686-7639. WIC staff can also be reached by email at wic@wchchealth.org.

WIC Program is funded by:

WIC is an equal-opportunity program.

Please note the WIC Participant Rights and Responsibilities. We do not discriminate on race, color, national origin, sex, religious creed, disability, age, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. View the USDA Non-Discrimination Statement.