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3.04.2024

Program Spotlight: WIC

What is WIC?

WIC is the USDA Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children and provides nutrition and breastfeeding services and supplemental foods to pregnant women, new mothers, infants and children up to their 5th birthday. WIC offers a wide array of nutrition education, personalized breastfeeding support, and referrals to other public health programs.

WIC gives you resources, knowledge and tools to help you and support your family. It’s free for moms, dads, grandparents, foster parents and all Nevada families who qualify. WIC providers work hard to get the right personalized support for you and your family.

What does WIC Provide?

There are four key parts to the WIC program:

1. Healthy Foods. WIC foods include fruits and vegetables, whole grains, eggs, milk, cheese, yogurt, peanut butter/beans, cereal, juice, infant foods and formula.
2. Breastfeeding Support. WIC provides breastfeeding education, support, and breast pumps to qualifying participants to help meet their breastfeeding goals.
3. Nutrition Education. WIC provides nutrition information, tools and solutions for parenting, nutrition and a healthy lifestyle.
4. Health Care Referrals. WIC gives personalized referrals to health services and other community resources.

WIC partners with other federal agencies, advocacy groups, non-profit organizations, technology companies, farmers, food manufacturers, vendors, and many more stakeholders. 

Partnerships are critical to promoting and supporting the mission of the WIC program, and are part of the strong, ongoing commitment to providing benefits to WIC participants and their families. 

WIC Nevada Eligibility

WIC supports children from birth until their 5th birthday and moms from pregnancy, birth and after delivery who need health or nutrition support. To quality, you must:

• Live in Nevada.
• Make a certain amount of money (see the WIC Income Guidelines below).
• Need help with health or nutrition.
• Have one of these apply to you:
• You are pregnant now or had a baby in the past 6 months.
• You are breastfeeding a baby under 1 year of age.
• You care for a baby or child younger than 5 years of age.

WIC welcomes all caregivers/legal guardians! If you are a dad, grandparent, foster parent, or any caregiver/legal guardian of a child under 5 years of age who meets the above criteria, you may apply for WIC on behalf of your child.

You do not have to be a U.S. citizen to participate in the Nevada WIC Program.

WIC Income Guidelines

To qualify for WIC benefits, your total combined household income, before taxes, cannot exceed the following income guidelines.

WIC counts an unborn baby as a household member, so add one to the household if pregnant.

NOTE: Applicants who participate in the Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) automatically meet the income eligibility by bringing proof of their current participation in one of these programs – other income documents are not needed.

How to Apply and What You’ll Need

In Nevada, many community-based organizations offer the WIC program. To find a WIC clinic near you, visit nevadawic.org

At the time of your appointment, each applicant will need to have their:

1. Identification
2. Proof of Residency, and
3. Proof of Income

Prepare to bring the following for your WIC Certification appointment:

PROOF OF IDENTIFICATION

Must be current/valid original document (no photocopies)

Infants/Children

• Immunization Record
• Hospital Birth Record
• Birth Certificate
• Medicaid Card

Women or Adult (parent, guardian, or proxy)

• Photo ID (Identification card, drivers license, passport)
• Work or School ID
• Birth Certificate
• Medicaid Card

PROOF OF RESIDENCY

One proof of residency may be used to certify the entire family. Parent/guardian’s proof of residence applies to the infant/child (name does not have to appear on the document used).

• Current utility bill
• Rent or mortgage documents
• Statement from landlord
• State of Nevada driver’s license or state I.D. with current physical address
• P.O. Box addresses are not acceptable for proof of residence

PROOF OF INCOME

Bring documentation for all income received by the household members or provide documentation of current eligibility for Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, or FDPIR.

• Current pay statement (wages, commissions, or fees)
• Income tax return
• If you do not receive income, you may complete an affidavit stating that you do not receive income.

Income is defined as all gross income before deductions are made for income taxes, social security taxes, insurance premiums, child support, car payments, etc. All income from the prior 30 days will normally be considered.

For more information, including where to find a WIC clinic near you, visit nevadawic.org. 

Source: Nevada WIC