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Are WIC
services free?
Yes! All WIC services are free to women,
infants, and children, who have a nutrition risk and meet the income
guidelines.
What
does WIC consider as income?
Income
eligibility is automatic when an applicant receives MA (Medical
Assistance), TANF (Temporary Aid to Needy Families) and SNAP (Food
Stamps); however, applicants must provide income documentation.
Foster children under age five are eligible. Income is counted for
everyone living in the household.
What about
fathers?
Fathers of children under age five are
encouraged to enroll their children in the WIC program. Just like
any other parent or guardian, fathers can bring their children to
appointments, attend nutrition classes, and cash food vouchers for
their children. Active participation by fathers is a great help in
keeping WIC children healthy.
What if I am a
grandparent?
If you are a grandparent who has custody
of grandchildren under age 5, you may apply on their behalf. If you
do not have custody, you may accompany your grandchildren and their
parent to the WIC appointment and you may become a proxy. A proxy is
a person who acts on behalf of the WIC parent/ caretaker to come to
WIC to pick up vouchers and/ or go to the grocery store to redeem
them.
What if I'm a
teen? Do I qualify if I live with my Mom or Dad?
In most
cases, if you are a teen, you must count all of the income of your
household when determining if you are eligible for WIC. Please call
717-843-7942 to find out if you are income eligible.
Where do I go
to get the food?
Food vouchers are issued for each client.
A family with more than one family member participating in WIC will
have more than one set of food vouchers. Both fathers and mothers
can receive and spend the vouchers for their children. These
vouchers are made out for specific WIC foods and can be redeemed at
any participating WIC authorized store. An exception is made if your
child requires a special formula. Then you may receive that formula
directly from a warehouse supply which WIC maintains for this
purpose.
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 is the WIC
infant formula rebate system?
WIC encourages mothers to breastfeed
their infants if possible; however, WIC will provide infant formula
to mothers who are unable to breastfeed. USDA regulations mandate
that all states establish a contract with one formula manufacturer
as a cost saving measure. These contracts provide a rebate for every
can of standard formula purchased by a WIC participant. In turn, the
rebates received are immediately turned back to the program in order
to serve more participants. The Pennsylvania contract is currently
held with Nestle Infant Nutrition.
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