WIC Program
The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program provides access to healthy foods for growth and development and promotes food nutrition through education.
WIC Program
What is WIC?
Women, Infants and Children is a nutrition program that provides healthy foods for growth and development, encourages regular health care, and promotes food nutrition through education. WIC checks for food are provided free of charge to pregnant, postpartum or nursing women, infants and children less than five years old who demonstrate a need as determined by WIC guidelines. These checks can be used at participating grocery stores and Farmers Markets within New York State.
Who can participate in WIC?
WIC is for pregnant women, postpartum women, women who are breastfeeding babies up to six months old, and infants and children under the age of five. All kinds of families can participate: married and single parents, working or unemployed. Fathers, grandparents, foster parents, or any legal guardian of a child under five years old can apply for their child.
You can participate in WIC if you are a New York State resident and have a family income less than WIC guidelines. Eligibility may be granted even if you are not a legal resident or U.S. citizen. You do not have to have a social security number to apply for WIC. You are automatically eligible for WIC if you receive Medicaid, Food Stamps, or TANF.
What can I buy with WIC checks?
WIC checks make it easier for you to provide the healthy delicious food that you feel good about giving your family. WIC checks are also easy to use. Just take them with you when you go food shopping and use them to get free healthy food, including:
- Baby food
- Brown rice
- Canned fish
- Cereal
- Cheese
- Dried or canned beans/peas
- Eggs
- Fruit Juice
- Fruits and vegetables
- Infant formula
- Milk
- Peanut butter
- Tortillas
- Whole grain bread
- Tofu
How do I apply for WIC?
WIC has many convenient locations in Albany, Colonie, Ravena, and the hill towns of Berne, Knox, and Westerlo. The WIC offices also have evening appointments available. To find out if you are eligible for WIC and to begin enrollment, or to find out about our locations, please call our office at (518) 432-4033 and ask to speak with a WIC staff member.
Click here for more information, to find out about WIC income guidelines and to view our brochure.
Please contact us for more information
Phone: (518) 432-4033
Fax: (518) 432-3225
Email: PattonK@mail.amc.edu
