WIC

What is WIC?

"WIC" stands for Women, Infants and Children. WIC is the Special Supplemental Foods Program for Women, Infants and Children. WIC provides nutritious foods as well as nutrition counseling and education for its participants. It is a federally funded program of the United States Department of Agriculture. In New York State, WIC is part of the Department of Health.

Who is WIC for?

  • Pregnant women (teens can apply)
  • Children up to 5 years old
  • Mothers of babies up to 6 months old
  • Breastfeeding mothers of babies up to 12 months old

You can receive WIC even if:

  • You are not a legal resident, a green card is not needed
  • You are not a US citizen
  • You do not have a social security number
  • You or other household members work
  • You get Food Stamps, public assistance or Medicaid
  • You are a foreign student, (F-1 Visa).

What does WIC Provide:?

Checks for WIC foods that you can use at a neighborhood store and pharmacy.

The important foods you receive through the WIC Program include:

Milk Eggs
Cheese Cereal/Infant Cereal
Juice Beans, Peas or Peanut Butter
Infant formula Whole Grain Bread/Brown Rice
Fruits Vegetables

WIC is supplemental because it provides certain foods, which are considered essential for good growth and nutrition during the first few years of life. By providing these foods, participants may use money they have saved to purchase other foods such as bread, fruits, vegetables and meat.

  • Nutrition education
    Learn how to choose healthy foods and how to fix healthy meals
  • Breastfeeding support and assistance
    Breast milk is best
  • Referral to other services
    Prenatal (PCAP) and postpartum care
    Well baby and Child Care
    Medicaid
    Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)
    Head Start
    Food Stamps
    Substance abuse treatment
    Family planning

How can I receive WIC??

In order to participate in the program you must meet eligibility criteria.

  1. You must be a Pregnant, Postpartum or Breastfeeding woman, or an infant or a child under the age of five.
  2. You must live in New York State.
  3. You must qualify financially

How long can I receive benefits from WIC?

Pregnant women can stay on WIC until 6 weeks after their babies are born.

Breastfeeding mothers may stay on WIC until their baby's first birthday. A breastfeeding mother's nutritional status, health needs and income are reviewed 6 months from certification to see if she still meets the eligibility criteria. Mothers who choose not to breastfeed their babies or women whose pregnancy did not result in a live birth may be eligible up to six months postpartum. Infants and children may be on WIC until they turn 5 years old. Children's nutrition and health needs and their family's income are reviewed every 6 months to see if they still meet the eligibility criteria.

Who is eligible

New York State WIC Income Eligibility Guidelines
GROSS INCOME-Effective May 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015

Family Size (HOUSEHOLD)
Annual
Monthly
Weekly

1

21,590

1,800

416

2

29,101

2,426

560

3

36,612

3,051

705

4

44,123

3,677

849

5

51,634

4,303

993

6

59,145

4,929

1,138

7

66,656

5,555

1,282

8

74,167

6,181

1,427

FOR EACH ADDITIONAL FAMILY MEMBER ADD:

+7,511

+626

+145

FAMILY SIZE IS DETERMINED BY: EVERYONE WHO LIVES WITH YOU AND SHARES INCOME AND EXPENSES

  • You are eligible for WIC if you receive Medicaid, Food Stamps or Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF).
  • You must be a New York State resident
  • Families who meet income guidelines will be assessed by a health care professional for medical or nutritional risk.

Where are the Nassau County WIC site locations?

HEMPSTEAD WIC
160 North Franklin Avenue., Hempstead, NY 11550
Phone: 516-572-0920 Fax: 516-572-0942
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
8:30 AM - 4:15 PM
Tuesday 11:30 AM - 7:15 PM

FREEPORT WIC
Freeport-Roosevelt Family Health Center
380 Nassau Road-3rd floor, Roosevelt, NY 11575
Phone: 516-571-8606 Fax: 516-571-8671
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
8:30 AM - 4:15PM
Tuesday 11:30 AM - 7:15 PM

NEW CASSEL/WESTBURY WIC
New Cassel-Westbury Family Health Center
682 Union Ave., Westbury, NY 11590
Phone: 516-571-9535 Fax: 516-571-9384
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
8:30 AM - 4:15 PM
Tuesday: 11:30 PM - 7:15 PM

ELMONT WIC
Elmont Health Family Center
161 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont, NY 11003
Phone: 516-571-8228(9) Fax: 516-571-8286
Monday and Friday
8:30 AM - 4:15 PM
Closed Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday

GLEN COVE WIC
Planned Parenthood Nassau County
Glen Cove Center at 110 School Street
Glen Cove, New York 11542
Phone: 516-571-8029 Fax: 516-571-8027
Wednesday and Thursday
8:30 AM - 4:15 PM
Closed Monday, Tuesday and Friday

Please note:
The Freeport, Hempstead & Westbury - WIC offices are open for service during lunch hours.

Recorded messages may be left at all other times.

Nassau County Department of Health
WIC Administrative Offices

200 County Seat Drive, Mineola, NY 11501

phone: 516-227-9453

Andrea Gatewood, R.N. WIC Director
Susan McKenna, RD WIC Coordinator
Verona McCall, R.N. WIC Coordinator