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State health department announces new income guidelines for WIC program

State health department announces new income guidelines for WIC
program

New income guidelines for participation in the nutrition
program for Women, Infants and Children have been adopted by the Missouri
Department of Health and Senior Services.

The program, commonly known as WIC, seeks to improve the
health of low- and moderate-income families by providing access to nutritious
foods and helping to develop healthy habits. The program is provided at no cost
to eligible mothers, babies and children.

WIC also provides information about healthy eating, nutrition
and breast-feeding and refers participants to other health-related
services.

The program is limited to families with incomes of up to 185
percent of the federal poverty level, which is adjusted annually based on the
cost of the living. Families must also meet other eligibility guidelines to
participate.

The income limits are based on family size. To be eligible
for the WIC program, the family’s maximum income cannot exceed the following
amounts:

Family
Size                              Income

1                                                  
$20,036                           

           
2                                       $26,955                             
       

           
3                                       $33,874                 

           
4                                       $40,793                             
     

           
5                                       $47,712                             

           
6                                       $54,631

           
7                                       $61,550

           
8                                       $68,469

           
9                                       $75,388

           
10                                     $82,307

Missouri residents can
find out if they qualify for the program by making an appointment at a local WIC
office. Local offices throughout Missouri can be found at www.dhss.mo.gov/wic/locations.html or in the phone book under county
services.

 

During the appointment,
applicants need to provide family income information and proof of residency and
identity. They also need to answer questions about past and current health, have
their height and weight taken, have a finger-stick blood test done (except for
babies up to 9 months old), and talk with a health professional about nutrition
education and health needs. If eligible, families will receive vouchers to buy
specified food items at authorized grocery stores.

 

The program, formally known as the Special Supplemental
Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, is funded by the U.S.
Department of Agriculture.

 

For more information, contact a local WIC provider or visit
the state health department’s WIC Web site at www.dhss.mo.gov/wic/index.html.


WIC is an equal opportunity program and services are
provided on a nondiscriminatory basis.