WIC - Women, Infants & Children

WIC benefits make it easier for you to shop for healthy food, and can be used at participating grocery stores and farmers markets within New York State.

The WIC benefits cover foods 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
• Tofu
• Tortillas
• Whole Grain Bread
• Whole Wheat Pasta
• Yogurt

Due to the formula shortage, the NYS WIC formulary has alternate options for a limited time.  Depending on the formula you receive, you may be able to temporarily purchase a combination of formula brands and alternate container sizes.  If you can't find your assigned formula in the stores, the following resources are available:

See a list of WIC-approved baby formulas in New York State.

Learn more about foods and formula from New York State's WIC Vendors.

Please review the household size and income per pay periods to help determine if you're eligible for WIC benefits:

Effective 2023 - 2024
Pregnant individuals count as two people

One person household:
Annual: $26,973
Monthly: $2,248
Twice-monthly: $1,124
Bi-weekly: $1,038
Weekly: $519

Two person household:
Annual: $36,482
Monthly: $3,041
Twice-monthly: $1,521
Bi-weekly: $1,404
Weekly: $702

Three person household:
Annual: $45,991
Monthly: $3,833
Twice-monthly: $1,917
Bi-weekly: $1,769
Weekly: $885

Four person household:
Annual: $55,500
Monthly: $4,625
Twice-monthly: $2,313
Bi-weekly: $2,135
Weekly: $1,068

Five person household:
Annual: $65,009
Monthly: $5,418
Twice-monthly: $2,709
Bi-weekly: $2,501
Weekly: $1,251

Six person household:
Annual: $74,518
Monthly: $6,210
Twice-monthly: $3,105
Bi-weekly: $2,867
Weekly: $1,434

Seven person household:
Annual: $84,027
Monthly: $7,003
Twice-monthly: $3,502
Bi-weekly: $3,232
Weekly: $1,616

Eight person household:
Annual: $93,536
Monthly: $7,795
Twice-monthly: $3,898
Bi-weekly: $3,598
Weekly: $1,799

For each additional person:
Annual: +$9,509
Monthly: +$793
Twice-monthly: +$397
Bi-weekly: +$366
Weekly: +$183

In the Capital Region, WIC has many convenient locations in Albany, Ravena, Berne, Knox, and Westerlo. The WIC office has evening appointments available. To find out if you are eligible for WIC and to begin enrollment, please call the WIC office at 518-432-4033.

We offer breastfeeding discussion groups for anyone thinking about or planning to breastfeed. Bring your partner, family, or friends - anyone in your support system! It's free to attend.

Share questions and learn facts about breastfeeding and all of its great benefits.

Discussion topics include:

• Is breastfeeding for me?
• Breastfeeding when pregnant
• Breastfeeding in the hospital
• Postpartum breastfeeding
• How long should I breastfeed?
• Breastfeeding at work/school
• Breastfeeding and relationships

Signing up for a group is simple!  Ask a WIC staff member at your next appointment, or call the office at 518-432-4033.

Upcoming Dates (In-person only)

• Wednesday May 22, 2024 at 1:00 p.m.
• Monday June 17, 2024 at 12:30 p.m.
• Friday July 12, 2024 at 11:30 a.m.

*Future dates to be determined

April 2024

Move More Month:

National Walking Day 2024 is Wednesday April 3! It is recommended for adults to get 150 minutes of physical activity each week, and for children to get at least 60 minutes each day. Short activity sessions can be added up over the week to help you reach your goals!

Walking is a great way to meet these goals because it can be done just about anywhere, and it does not require a gym membership or any special equipment.

Short sessions of brief walking have been shown to improve sleep, improve memory, and reduce anxiety symptoms!

If walking isn't your thing, don't worry! Combining physical activity with your day-to-day household activities can also help you meet your exercise goals.

Learn more about getting active around the house from the American Heart Association

Breastfeeding Corner:

Breastfeeding Basics for Dads:

As a dad, you may feel left out of feeding if your partner breastfeeds your new baby. But, your partner and your baby need your help! Breastfeeding is a team effort, and you play an important role!

• Help take care of your baby. You can soothe, bathe, change, dress, cuddle, or burp your baby. You can also keep your partner company during feedings and make sure they have plenty to eat or drink.
• Learn and watch for baby's hunger cues so you can bring baby to your partner to nurse.
• Limit visitors. New moms need plenty of rest! Help limit the number of visitors that come to your home. You can contact the WIC office for help too if you notice mom is too uncomfortable, in pain while nursing, or seems very down.
• Help with chores. Run errands, cook, clean, and do laundry.  If mom needs something while she is breastfeeding, offer to get it for her.  If you have other children, take care of them so your partner can focus on breastfeeding.
• Offer encouragement and help your partner feel good about themselves. Tell them you're proud and they're doing a great job!  Try to do something special to make them smile.
• Defend your choice. Not everyone will understand you and your partner's decision to breastfeed. You can be the first line of defense against negative comments.

Learn more about how dads can offer support from the USDA

If you have questions about breastfeeding, call our office at 518-432-4033 or call our Peer Counselor Jackie at 518-649-3885

WIC Reminders:

Our office is now open!  Please let us know if you would like to complete your next appointment in person. Remote/phone appointments remain available as well.

Cash Value Benefit for Fruits & Vegetables: Currently, eligible participants with a benefit start date of Oct. 1, 2023 through Sept. 30, 2024 will receive an increased cash value benefit (CVB) dollar amount for fruits and vegetables per benefit month, based on their category. Please note, this may change at any time. If you are unsure if you're eligible to receive the CVB, please call the WIC office and ask to speak to one of our nutritionists.

Farmers Market Coupons: Farmers market coupon season starts in June! Stay tuned for more details.

Update Your EMail Addresses:  Soon, WIC will be emailing most handouts instead of sending via mail. Please inform the office if your email address has changed.

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at 800)-877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-
508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling 866-632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD[1]3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
fax: 833-256-1665 or 202-690-7442; or
email: [email protected]

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

For other complaints or to request a Fair Hearing contact:

Mail: WIC Program Director NYSDOH, Riverview Center 150 Broadway, 6th Floor, Albany, N.Y., 12204
Phone: 518-402-7093;
Fax: 518-402-7348; or email: [email protected]