RoxanneFinding work to replace lost income due to COVID-19 looks to be more complicated than ever. With more shutdowns on the way and additional waves of the outbreak, many are wondering how they will be able to feed their families once their bank accounts run dry.
One form of food assistance can come via SNAP, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Another can come via WIC, or the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children.
While SNAP (aka food stamps) seems a bit more widespread in its use, WIC is on the more selective side. Does this mean it’s harder to qualify for? Not necessarily, if you fall into certain categories for eligibility, which we’ll discuss now.
WIC’s Eligibility Requirements
WIC breaks its eligibility into four sections. To qualify for WIC food benefits, you’ll have to meet all four.
Before you think there’s no way you’ll be eligible with such stringent requirements, you’ll see that they aren’t that bad. Even better, you can find out if you qualify so you can begin applying by using this WIC Prescreening tool.
1. Categorical
You can guess which groups of people qualify for WIC just by looking at its name containing women, infants, and children.
For a woman to qualify for WIC, one of the following must apply:
She must be pregnant – To receive benefits during the pregnancy and six weeks after it ends or the baby is born.
She must be in the postpartum stage – To receive benefits up to six months after the pregnancy is over or the baby is born.
She must be breastfeeding – To receive benefits until the infant is one year old.
An infant is eligible for WIC until they are one year old, as are children until they reach five years old.
2. Residential
WIC’s residential requirement is rather straightforward. You don’t have to live in the state or area you are applying in for a certain period to become eligible. You just have to live in the state you are applying to so you can receive benefits there.
In the case that you live where an Indian Tribal Organization is in charge of administering WIC, their own residency requirements will have to be met.
3. Nutrition Risk
WIC breaks down nutrition risks into two main categories:
Medical-based (underweight, anemia)
Dietary-based (poor diet)
To qualify, you will have to suffer from at least one. To meet this requirement, WIC offers no-cost nutrition screenings, or you can use information from your physician. A screening typically involves a blood test for anemia, plus height and weight measurements.
4. Income
Last but not least, is WIC’s income requirement which can be met in one of two ways:
An income standard set by your state (often between 100 to 185 percent of the federal poverty income guidelines).
Automatic eligibility (by receiving or being eligible for other assistance programs like SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid).
You can view a chart of the income eligibility guidelines here.
