Who is Eligible for WIC?
WIC is available to low to moderate income pregnant, breast-feeding and postpartum women; infants; and children up to age 5 who are at nutrition risk. Individuals who work and have health insurance may be eligible. In order to participate, these persons must meet the following criteria at each certification:
- Be a resident of Florida or receive health care in Florida. Undocumented immigrants are eligible to apply as long as they reside in the state.
- Be at nutrition risk. The assessment of nutrition risk is made by a nutritionist or other health professional, usually at the local WIC office, at no cost to the participant. Examples of nutrition risk conditions are:
- Abnormal anthropometric or hematological measurements
- Abnormal weight gain patterns or growth retardation
- Documented nutrition-related medical conditions
- Inadequate dietary intake
- Conditions that predispose a person to inadequate nutrition patterns such as lead poisoning, mental retardation, alcohol or drug abuse, or factors associated with high risk pregnancies
- Be income eligible - The family's income must not exceed 185% of the U.S. Poverty Income Guidelines. A person currently receiving Medicaid, Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC), or Food Stamps automatically meets the income eligibility requirement regardless of actual gross income.
- Pregnant women are certified for their entire pregnancy and up to 6 weeks postpartum. At 6 weeks postpartum, they must reapply as a breast-feeding or postpartum woman.
- Breastfeeding women are certified every 6 months and are eligible until 12 months postpartum.
- Non-breast-feeding postpartum women are certified until 6 months postpartum.
- Infants are certified until their first birthday. At 6 months of age an infant assessment is conducted. At this time the infant's length, weight, and hemoglobin or hematocrit measurements are taken, and a reassessment of the nutrition risk is conducted.
- Children are certified every 6 months until they are 5 years of age. They are no longer eligible after their fifth birthday.
The final determination of WIC eligibility will be made by staff of the local WIC office.
