WIC Program for African Americans

It is vital that pregnant women and children get enough food to eat on a daily basis. This is the only way that they will get the nutrients they need to grow and thrive. Yet there are many people who are considered nutritionally at risk. They may not get enough food, which could become an issue over time. The WIC program for African Americans and others is one that aims to help with this situation.

WIC stands for Women, Infants, & Children. It is a program that is funded by the federal government. They aim to help ensure that women and children get enough nutrition. The goal of the program is to make sure that those who are nutritionally at risk will be able to get healthy foods. Those who are approved for this program will receive healthy food, which will ensure that they get the nutrients their bodies need.

The more you know about the WIC program, the better position you will be in to know if it is right for your situation. It is a free program to apply for and it is not difficult to go through the application process. If you feel you need some help obtaining food it is a good idea to go ahead and apply for the program.

What WIC Provides

Those who are approved for WIC can expect to help have their nutrition needs met. The program will help people by providing healthy foods, but that’s not all. They do offer other helpful things as well, including breastfeeding information, nutrition education, counseling services, and referrals. WIC can help ensure that your nutrition needs are being met on several levels. Not only do they provide free food, but they will also teach you about the importance of healthy foods and why the body needs them.

The referrals that the WIC program will provide will further help mothers get assistance that can help ensure their basic needs are being met. These include referrals to social services program and other welfare programs that can provide access to additional food, clothing, shelter, cash benefits, healthcare, and more. If you qualify for WIC then there is a good chance you will qualify for additional programs.

Some of the foods that WIC provides includes:

• Juices
• Milk
• Breakfast cereal
• Eggs
• Fruits and vegetables
• Fish and meat
• Beans and other legumes
• Peanut butter
• They also provide foods specifically for babies, including formula, infant cereal, baby foods

WIC Program Qualifications

While anyone in the country can apply for the WIC program, you do have to meet specific conditions to be approved for it. The program is really not open to anyone, because it aims to meet the needs of a specific segment of the population.

To qualify for WIC you have to meet the following conditions:

• Be pregnant or have a child that is age five and under.
• Have a low income.
• Be considered nutritionally at risk.

To apply for WIC you have to go to one of their clinics for an evaluation. This is not a bad process, so don’t assume that it is negative. You will visit their clinic and they will discuss your situation with you, have you fill out the paperwork and they will get your health information to determine if you are considered nutritionally at risk.

Those who are approved for the program will begin receiving the free food. You will also be able to apply for other programs they have, and take advantage of the counseling and other services that they offer to help women who are pregnant and have young children.

To apply for WIC program, you will need to visit the closest WIC office near you. This may be near your county health department or your social services department. It may also be near your social services offices. To get more information and find a WIC clinic near you, click here.

Additional Food Assistance Programs

Pregnant women and those who have small children may need more help than only WIC. The good news is that there are additional programs you can turn to if you need help obtaining food. You can apply for as many of these programs as you would like to, because there is no limit. Also, you will never have to worry about paying back any of the assistance you receive from the programs. You can get the assistance you need to ensure your basic needs are being met, and not focus on any debt associated with it.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – This program is known across the country as food stamps. The program will provide those who qualify with free food each month. If you are approved you will receive a convenient way to pay for your groceries each month. To qualify for SNAP, you have to have a low income and be a citizen or legal non-citizen. The amount of money you will get each month is determined by how many dependents are in the home. Unlike WIC, there is no time limit to how long you can receive help through SNAP. As long as you meet the qualifications you can get the free food. To get more information about the program and apply, click here.

Food Pantries – Local churches often have food pantries. These are good resources for those who need help with obtaining food. They will allow you to get free food on a regular basis, which may be weekly or monthly. They typically do not check your financial status. They provide the free food to anyone in the community who needs the help. Check with the churches in your area to see if they have a food pantry or if they will be doing any community food drops. They may also be able to give you a referral to other local food programs that you can contact for assistance. The more churches you reach out to, the more likely you are to get a lot of help.

Have a question? Email us here anything that troubles you.