Frequently Asked Questions
Pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women, infants, and children up to age 5 are eligible. They must meet income guidelines, a state residency requirement, and be individually determined to be at "nutritional risk" by a health professional.
We offer support to anyone-working or not- who cares for a child, including; foster parents, grandparents, guardians and single fathers. A person or certain family members who participate in other benefits programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Medicaid, or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families automatically meet the income eligibility requirement. To be eligible on the basis of income, applicants' gross income (i.e. before taxes are withheld) must fall at or below 185 percent of the U.S. Poverty Income Guidelines.
Federal WIC Income Eligibility Guidelines: Gross Income (before taxes)
Effective June 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025
| Household Size
|
Annual
|
Monthly
|
Twice-Monthly
|
Bi-Weekly
|
Weekly
|
| 1
|
$27,861
|
$2,322
|
$1,161
|
$1,072
|
$536
|
| 2
|
37,814
|
3,152
|
1,576
|
1,455
|
728
|
| 3
|
47,767
|
3,981
|
1,991
|
1,838
|
919
|
| 4
|
57,720
|
4,810
|
2,405
|
2,220
|
1,110
|
| 5
|
67,673
|
5,640
|
2,820
|
2,603
|
1,302
|
| 6
|
77,626
|
6,469
|
3,235
|
2,986
|
1,493
|
| 7
|
87,579
|
7,299
|
3,650
|
3,369
|
1,685
|
| 8
|
97,532
|
8,128
|
4,064
|
3,752
|
1,876
|
| For each additional member add
|
+$9,953
|
+$830
|
+$415
|
+$383
|
+$192
|
WIC is an equal opportunity program.
If you believe you have been discriminated against because of race, color, national origin, age, sex or handicap, write immediately to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410. If you believe you have been discriminated against based on creed or political belief, contact New York State Department of Health, Director, Division of Nutrition, Bureau of Supplemental Food programs, 150 Broadway, 6th Floor, Albany, NY 12204-2719 or phone 1-800-522-5006. If you have any WIC complaints contact Suffolk County Dept. of Health Services WIC Program at 853-3014.
Call to schedule an appointment at one of our WIC Locations in Suffolk County.
We’re a network built for moms. We connect them, we educate them and we learn from them. Our community consists of nutritionists, lactation specialists and breastfeeding peer counselors.
Breastfeeding promotion and support is an important part of our WIC Program. We strongly encourage and provide support for breastfeeding, we recognize that breastfeeding is the best method of infant feeding and nurturing.
Our WIC agency has trained, bilingual breastfeeding peer counselors who provide basic breastfeeding information and support for WIC mothers. All of our peer counselors have had personal breastfeeding experience, and are likely a past or current WIC participant.
Currently within our agency, a number of Certified Lactation Counselors (CLCs), are on staff within our WIC clinics to provide valuable support to breastfeeding women.
Breastfeeding education is integrated into prenatal education for all pregnant WIC participants.
Breastfeeding mothers are eligible to participate in WIC longer than non-breastfeeding mothers. Mothers who exclusively breastfeed their infants receive an enhanced food package.
Breastfeeding mothers can receive breast pumps and breast shells to help support the initiation and continuation of breastfeeding.
We’re here to provide the information, tools, and support for moms and caregivers like you. Whether you need a sympathetic ear, free and healthy food, or a referral to outside care and social services, we’re proud to provide you with the tools you need to be the mom you want to be.
As part of the WIC community you can take advantage of any of the services we provide. Including:
Healthy Food
Food is only as good as the nutrients it provides. Through WIC moms get monthly benefits to buy these healthy foods: Foods with calcium for strong bones and teeth:
- Milk
- Cheese
- Soy beverages
Grains with iron for energy, and folic acid for healthy growth:
- Cereal
- Brown rice
- Soft corn or whole wheat tortillas
- Whole grain bread
- Whole wheat pasta
Fruits and vegetables to keep your heart and weight healthy:
- Fruit or vegetable juice
- Fruits and vegetables fresh, frozen, or canned
Foods with protein for strong muscles and healthy skin:
- Dried or canned beans, peas, lentils
- Eggs
- Peanut butter
- Tofu
Iron-fortified foods for infants who need it:
- Baby foods
- Infant formula
- Infant cereal
Additional foods for women who exclusively breastfeed:
- Larger quantities of the foods listed above
- Canned tuna or salmon
Nutrition Education
We support and educate moms to help them breastfeed successfully. We offer moms and caregivers guidance on how to shop for healthy food, how to prepare it and how to entice children to eat it. We provide access to information, including:
- Prenatal nutrition
- Breastfeeding tips
- Eating tips for your child
- Parenting tips
- Healthy recipes
A Community of Support
We’re a network built for moms. We connect them, we educate them and we learn from them. Our community consists of nutritionists, lactation specialists and peers.
Referrals for Health Care
We can connect moms to resources outside of WIC, including healthcare professionals, immunization services, substance abuse counselors, domestic abuse counseling and social services.
The WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program, established in 1992, provides additional coupons to WIC participants that they can use to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at participating farmers' markets.
Two major types of nutritional risk are recognized for WIC eligibility:
- Medically-based risks (designated as "high priority") such as anemia, underweight, maternal age, history of pregnancy complications, or poor pregnancy outcomes.
- Diet-based risks such as inadequate dietary pattern.
Nutritional risk is determined by a health professional such as a physician, nutritionist, or nurse, and is based on Federal guidelines. This health screening is free to program applicants.