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What
does WIC consider as income?
Income
sources are considered for everyone living in the household. They
are as follows: Employment wages earned before taxes,
self-employment earnings, dividend or interest income, Social
Security benefits, SSI, public assistance, alimony or child support
payments, unemployment compensation, worker's compensation, net
rental income, and other cash income.
Income eligibility is automatic when
an applicant is eligible for food stamps, receives Medical
Assistance (MA) or Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF), or is a
foster child under age five.
What does
initial certification and recertification mean?
When you first apply for WIC, we must verify
that you meet all the eligibility requirements. We call this initial
certification. When you re-apply for WIC because your certification
period has ended (usually a six month period), we must again verify
that you continue to meet all the eligibility requirements. We call
this a recertification. Certification and recertification is the
process we do to complete your paperwork, decide if you are eligible
to receive WIC and to enroll you on the Program.
Why does WIC
need to weigh and measure my child?
A child's growth during the early years
indicates much about his or her health; therefore, WIC weighs and
measures a child regularly. However, one measurement alone gives us
limited information. In order to detect problems in growth patterns,
several measurements of height and weight over a period of time are
necessary. All children must be recertified for WIC services every
six months, and measurements are required at each recertification to
help track the child's proper growth.
Why does WIC
need to do a blood test and how often is it required?
In order to completely assess a WIC client's
health status; growth, eating habits, medical history and iron
status must be evaluated. Most WIC clients are in stages of rapid
growth, and iron is a critical nutrient during these times. In order
to insure that a person is not at risk of developing iron deficiency
anemia, a simple blood test is done at initial certification for all
women and children over the age of 6 months. A hemoglobin test is
then required at each recertification. The only exception is for
children, who need to be checked around 12 months and then again at
18 months of age. Thereafter, hemoglobin testing is required once a
year, as long as levels are within normal limits. This is in
accordance with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
Iron is particularly important for the developing child because of
the role it plays in improving cognitive performance later on in
life.
Why does WIC
limit formulas to iron fortified?
One of WIC's goals is to reduce rates of
anemia. If a mother chooses not to breastfeed, iron fortified
formulas help prevent anemia. WIC does not provide low iron formulas
because they do not provide enough iron for normal growth and
development. Lack of iron can impact cognitive development and
affect learning later in life. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
and the Centers of Disease Control (CDC) recommend iron-fortified
formula for all formula fed infants for the entire first year of
life.
What do I do
if my baby needs a special infant formula?
WIC provides most special formulas designed
for infants with specific medical conditions such as prematurity,
failure to thrive, allergies or gastrointestinal impairment. Special
formulas are only available through WIC with a valid prescription
signed by a physician, Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner, or
Physician's Assistant. The prescription must include the patient's
name, the name and amount of formula required, and the reason the
formula is needed. Many special formulas can be purchased directly
at grocery stores, but the Pennsylvania WIC Program also operates a
Special Formula Distribution Center that can provide products
typically difficult to obtain.
Does it
matter where I redeem my WIC checks?
In Pennsylvania, 1,371 (as of 12-10-03)
approved authorized stores accept WIC checks and each participant is
assigned to one store of their choice. If for any reason a
participant needs to change their store, they can call their local
WIC office and be assigned to a different store. PA has one approved
store in Maryland and one in Ohio that will accept PA WIC
participant checks.
How does
someone report suspected Program abuse?
All reports of alleged Program abuse will be
investigated and appropriate follow up will occur. Program
information is confidential; therefore, the outcome of the
investigation cannot be disclosed. To report Program abuse, please
contact 1-800-942-9467 and you will be connected
with the local WIC agency serving that county.
Why doesn't
WIC approve yogurt, fruits and vegetables, or other healthy foods
that cost the same as current WIC foods?
The USDA
establishes specific criteria for the foods provided by the WIC
Program nationwide. These foods are geared to provide specific
nutrients most needed by the participants served. However, WIC is a
supplemental nutrition program, and is not intended to provide all
the nutrients needed by growing individuals. Instead, the role of
nutrition education is vital to help guide people to better food
choices and healthier lifestyles.
The other factor to consider is the
difficulty in establishing criteria for some foods, particularly
fresh produce, which would ensure all clients receive the right
quantity of nutrients from each serving. Growing conditions,
climate, storage, handling, and availability of items are factors
that cannot be controlled. The Farmers' Market Nutrition Program was
developed to help WIC participants gain access to fresh fruits and
vegetables. |
