It can be difficult to pay your bills every month if you are short of cash. It can be stressful to get enough food. To help meet the nutritional needs of people across the country, government programs have been created. Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is one of the programs which helps about half of all babies in the United States to get food. Veterans who are struggling financially can get help from the WIC program.
Government Food Assistance
The food stamp program, also known as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), is well-known in the United States. However, there are other programs that help people obtain food. WIC may be a less well-known program, but millions of Americans still benefit from it. The program is also more focused on the segment of population it serves. To receive WIC benefits you must meet several eligibility requirements.
WIC eligibility requirements include having a low income, being considered at nutritional risk, or being pregnant, or having a young child under five years old. You should be eligible for WIC if you meet these requirements. WIC recipients receive a monthly grant to purchase healthy food. The WIC program also offers free referrals to healthcare and nutritional information. WIC also offers immunizations and breastfeeding counseling. It can provide health screenings, referrals for substance abuse, and much more.
What WIC Provides
WIC does not provide you with all the food your family needs each month. It is a supplemental program, which means that it provides food on top of what you get outside the program. Both WIC and SNAP can be applied for and you will receive both benefits every month. WIC offers specific food items to those who meet the requirements on a regular basis. It is important to meet nutritional needs by providing healthy food. WIC grants are not as flexible as SNAP benefits.
You must use your WIC grant to purchase specific items of food at the grocery store. You can easily identify which WIC-approved programs you see in your local supermarket by walking through it. You can find the price tag on the shelf. The WIC items will be marked on the tag in many grocery stores so that people who purchase items using the grant know what they can buy. WIC-approved foods include infant cereals and baby food, as well as eggs, milk and cheese, yogurt and beans and peas. You can only get these foods through the WIC Program. All of these foods are pre-approved and will help you meet your nutritional requirements.
Applying for WIC
You must visit the WIC office in your area to apply. WIC offices are located all over the country. You will be given a health assessment to determine if you are a nutritional threat. A low income, citizenship or legal immigration are also requirements for eligibility. When you apply, you will need to provide proof of your identity and income.
Veterans in financial difficulty should apply for assistance from the government. These programs were created to ensure that veterans’ needs are met. WIC for veterans helps the government meet the nutritional needs for young children, pregnant women, and infants. To apply, click here.
