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WIC Benefits for Unemployed Families

All fifty states subscribe to this federally funded program which provides nutritious foods, nutrition education, and referrals to health and other social services to participants at no charge. The WIC Program serves low-income pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women, and infants and children up to age 5 who are at nutrition risk. Benefits allowance is based on four factors; Categorical (pregnant or postpartum women, infant (up to a year in age) and children (under 5), Residential (you must apply in the area of your residence), Income and Nutrition Risk. Glancing at the staggering (and steady) rise in unemployment, knowledge of these federal programs may prove to be invaluable.

WIC is not an entitlement program; that is, Congress does not set aside funds to allow every eligible individual to participate in the program. Instead, WIC is a Federal grant program for which Congress authorizes a specific amount of funding each year for program operations. Furthermore, in 1992 Congress in established the Farmer’s Market Nutritional Program to provide fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown fruits and vegetables to WIC participants, and to expand the awareness, use of and sales at farmers’ markets.

If moms or dads out there have recently been unemployed and you are scrambling to cover your bases and keep food on the table while searching for your next job, follow the links below and go to your regional office and find out your eligibility. Let me say again, if dad has been laid off and is collecting unemployment benefits and mom is either pregnant or you have a child under the age of five, you may be eligible for aid. In most cases, you need to bring proper identification for you and your children. You will need to bring your children with you (they will be weighed), and if applicable you will need to bring proof of unemployment. This is the basic requirements in the state of California.

If you are eligible for benefits, you will receive a monthly package of provisional vouchers on behalf of the mother and individual children to buy necessary nutritional foodstuff like cereal, eggs, milk and juice. The WIC program identifies an explicit grouping of food brands it deems healthy (ex. Cheerios, Raisin Bran, Kix, etc.), it’s a short list but it makes sense. It only makes sense they sponsor healthy items.

These programs are in place for all of us, if you ever find yourself unemployed use it.

Sited Links;
Food & Nutrtion Service | WIC Program
Farmer’s Market Nutritional Program