Florida Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides Federal grants to States for supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age five who are found to be at nutritional risk.
WIC is a federally funded nutrition program for Women, Infants, and Children. WIC provides the following at no cost: healthy foods, nutrition education and counseling, breastfeeding support, and referrals for health care and community services.
Florida Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is a federal assistance program in the United States that provides nutrition education, nutritious foods, and improved access to health care to low-income women, infants, and children up to the age of five who are at nutritional risk. The program is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and administered at the state level. WIC aims to safeguard the health of low-income women, infants, and children who are at risk for nutrition-related health problems.
Participants receive nutrition education and counseling, nutritious supplemental foods, and referrals to health care and social services. The program focuses on providing specific nutritious foods like milk, cereal, eggs, fruits, vegetables, and other essential items that promote good health during critical stages of growth and development. In Florida, WIC is administered by the Florida Department of Health, and it serves a significant number of women, infants, and children across the state.
Eligibility for the program is based on income, residency, and nutritional risk, and individuals must meet specific criteria to qualify for benefits. The program plays a vital role in promoting the health and well-being of low-income families in Florida, contributing to improved birth outcomes, enhanced growth and development in children, and the overall health of participating women.
Florida WIC EBT Card
Florida WIC clients use a WIC EBT card to purchase WIC approved foods at authorized WIC grocery stores. If you have a WIC EBT Card and have questions or problems using your card, call WIC EBT Customer Service at 1-866-629-1095. Check your balance before shopping. You can do this by calling WIC EBT Customer Service at 1-866-629-1095 or by going to the WIC EBT website. If there is a WIC EBT Point of Sale (POS) machine at the store, you can also slide your card and enter your PIN to get your balance.
Florida Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Benefits
The Florida Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) offers a range of benefits to eligible participants. These benefits are designed to improve the health and nutrition of pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as infants and children up to the age of five who are at nutritional risk. Some of the key benefits of the WIC program in Florida include:
- Nutritious foods: Participants receive vouchers or electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards that can be used to purchase specific nutritious foods, such as milk, eggs, cheese, cereal, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and baby foods. The types and amounts of foods provided are tailored to meet the individual nutritional needs of each participant.
- Nutrition education and counseling: WIC provides valuable nutrition education and counseling to help participants make healthier food choices and develop good eating habits. This includes guidance on meal planning, breastfeeding support, and information on the importance of a balanced diet for overall health and well-being.
- Breastfeeding support: WIC offers specialized support and resources for breastfeeding mothers, including counseling, guidance, and access to breast pumps and other breastfeeding supplies. The program aims to promote and support breastfeeding as the optimal method of infant feeding.
- Health care referrals: WIC provides referrals to health care services and other social services that participants may need, such as prenatal care, immunizations, and health screenings. By connecting participants with essential health services, the program helps ensure that families receive comprehensive care to support their overall well-being.
- Community support: WIC often collaborates with community organizations, healthcare providers, and local agencies to offer additional support and resources to participants. This collaborative approach helps create a supportive network for families and ensures that they have access to a comprehensive range of services beyond the core benefits of the WIC program.
These benefits are aimed at promoting the health and well-being of eligible participants, particularly those who may be at risk of nutritional deficiencies or other health-related issues due to financial constraints. The WIC program in Florida plays a crucial role in improving the overall health outcomes of women, infants, and children throughout the state.
Who is eligible for Florida Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)?
To be eligible for this benefit program, you must be a resident of Florida and one of the following:
- Pregnant, or
- Breastfeeding, or
- Postpartum, or
- A child 5 years old or younger.
A person who participates or has family members participate in certain other benefit programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid, or TANF, automatically meets the income eligibility requirement. To see if you are eligible for WIC, you may also use the WIC Prescreening Tool. This Prescreening Tool is not an application for WIC. To apply for WIC benefits, you must make an appointment at your local WIC agency.
Florida Special Supplemental Nutrition Program Income Limits
In order to qualify, you must have an annual household income (before taxes) that is below the following amounts:
| Household Size | Maximum Income Level (Per Year) |
| 1 | $26,973 |
| 2 | $36,482 |
| 3 | $45,991 |
| 4 | $55,500 |
| 5 | $65,009 |
| 6 | $74,518 |
| 7 | $84,027 |
| 8 | $93,536 |
For households with more than eight people, add $9,509 per additional person. Always check with the appropriate managing agency to ensure the most accurate guidelines.
Required Eligibility for Florida Special Supplemental Nutrition Program
To be eligible for the Florida Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), individuals must meet specific requirements related to residency, income, and nutritional risk. The eligibility criteria are designed to ensure that the program benefits those who are most in need of nutritional support. While the specific criteria may be subject to change, as of my last knowledge update in 2022, the general eligibility requirements for the WIC program in Florida are as follows:
Categorical requirement: Applicants must fall into one of the following categories:
- Pregnant women
- Postpartum women (up to 6 months after the birth of an infant or the end of the pregnancy)
- Breastfeeding women (up to the infant's first birthday)
- Infants and children up to the age of five
Residency: Applicants must be residents of the state of Florida. This requirement ensures that the program primarily serves individuals and families within the state.
Income requirement: Eligibility is based on household income, which must be at or below 185% of the U.S. Federal Poverty Income Guidelines. The income eligibility criteria may vary depending on the size of the household.
Nutritional risk assessment: Applicants must undergo a nutritional risk assessment conducted by a health professional at the WIC clinic. This assessment helps determine if an individual has a medical-based or dietary-based condition that can be improved through the WIC program's nutritional support.
Applicants must provide documentation to verify their eligibility, such as proof of identity, residency, and income. They may also need to undergo a health and nutrition screening to assess their specific nutritional needs and determine their eligibility for the program. It's essential to consult the official Florida WIC program website or contact a local WIC clinic for the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding eligibility requirements and application procedures.
Documents Required for Florida Special Supplemental Nutrition Program
While specific document requirements may vary based on individual circumstances and the policies of the Florida Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), the following are some common documents that applicants may be required to provide during the application process:
- Proof of identity: Applicants may need to provide a valid form of identification, such as a driver's license, state ID card, or passport, to verify their identity.
- Proof of residency: Applicants may be required to provide documents that establish their residency in the state of Florida, such as a utility bill, lease agreement, or other official documents with their current address.
- Proof of income: Documentation of income is typically necessary to determine eligibility for the program. This may include recent pay stubs, a letter from an employer, or documentation of participation in other assistance programs, such as Medicaid or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).
- Proof of pregnancy (if applicable): Pregnant women applying for the WIC program may need to provide documentation confirming their pregnancy, such as a doctor's statement or prenatal care record.
- Proof of eligibility for other assistance programs: Applicants receiving benefits from other assistance programs, such as Medicaid, TANF, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), may need to provide documentation to verify their participation in these programs.
- Immunization records (for infants and children): Parents or guardians applying for WIC benefits for infants and children may be required to provide immunization records to confirm that the child is up to date on required vaccinations.
It's important to note that the specific document requirements may vary, and applicants should contact their local WIC clinic or visit the official Florida WIC program website to get a comprehensive list of the documents needed for the application process. Providing all necessary documentation accurately and in a timely manner can help expedite the application and enrollment process for the WIC program.
How do I apply for Florida Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)?
To apply for WIC, contact a local WIC office. Find the local phone number in the list or call 1-800-342-3556 and ask for the phone number of your local WIC office. The local WIC office will give you an appointment to see if you are eligible for WIC. At this visit, your household income and the medical/nutrition status of each applicant will be reviewed.
If you have difficulty understanding English or have a disability, free language assistance or other aids and services are available upon request. If you suspect someone is misusing or abusing WIC program benefits, please call Toll-Free 1-855-283-5135.
How can I contact someone?
For more information, please visit Florida's WIC Program page. For Federal program information, visit USDA's Women, Infants, and Children program page. You may also visit the U.S Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Toll-Free Numbers for WIC State Agencies page for a list of toll free numbers. 1-800-342-3556.