Ensuring the nutritional foundation of your children is one of the most important responsibilities you can face as a parent. When you face economic difficulties and your budget does not go far enough, obtaining financial assistance for your family’s food and nutrition needs is important. This page provides instructions on how to apply for WIC in Ohio.

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children commonly referred to as WIC (Women, Infants and Children), is a national food assistance program administered by each state that provides supplemental food, training classes and nutritional assistance to low-income pregnant women, nursing mothers and children under 5. The state of Ohio actively participates in the WIC program and provides assistance to an average of 292,937 residents each month.http://ww.odh.ohio.gov/ASSETS/35FD395217DD4938A87ABAC2F9238765/wicfacts.PDF Obtaining WIC assistance is about meeting the needs of babies, mothers and young children so they can have a strong foundation that will allow them to lead healthy, productive lives.

To apply for WIC in Ohio, you must meet eligibility requirements. Basic requirements:

1. Ohio Resident
2. Income within 185% of the federal poverty income guidelines
3. Be Pregnant or Nursing, or be less than 6 months postpartum for non-breastfeeding mothers, and less than 1 year for breastfeeding mothers
4. Children under 5
5. Health professional determines you or your children are medically or nutritionally as risk

Income eligibility criteria depends on the family size and income:

• 1 Family Member: Annual Salary less than $20,036, $1,670 monthly, $386 weekly
• 2 Family Members: Annual Salary less than $26,955, $2,247 monthly, $519 weekly
• 3 Family Members: Annual Salary less than $33,874, $2,823 montly, $652 weekly
• 4 Family Members: Annual Salary less than $40,793, $3,400 monthly, $785 weeklyhttp://www.odh.ohio.gov/odhPrograms/ns/wicn/weligible.aspx

Visit your local http://www.odh.ohio.gov/ASSETS/046B9B8112104A73A2ADFB940857E1E4/wicclinicdir.PDF Ohio health department to apply for WIC. Bring the following items with you:

1. Income Proof (pay stubs, or bank direct deposit proof for all members of your family)
2. Residency proof (Rent receipt, mortgage statement, utility bill)
3. Identity Proof (birth certificate, driver’s license, photo ID, passport, Social Security card, VOC card, voter registration card)
4. Proof of Pregnancy (Doctor’s note)http://www.knoxcounty.org/health/wic.php
5. Immunization Records for children
6. All eligible children and their identity proof

You will be required to fill out some simple paperwork and a WIC agent will verify your eligibility. Measurements for height, weight and a simple blood check will be performed on all women and children eligible for WIC assistance. You will also meet with a nutritionist who will discuss your current diet and ways to improve your eating habits.

To speed up the application process, download a http://jfs.ohio.gov/OHP/consumers/Application.stm Combined Programs Application and mail it to your local health clinic. This will help pre-approve you for WIC assistance and any other governmental assistance programs for which you qualify. You will still be required to complete the final application documents in person, but the process will be faster.

Pick up your WIC vouchers. Typically, you will need to pick up new vouchers every month, although the frequency varies between health departments. At each meeting, be prepared to have a short interview, present updated documentation and submit to quick medical reviews.

You will be given a guide for WIC approved foods and supplements. The WIC vouchers will only work for approved items, so consider taking the guide with you when you go shopping for groceries.