WIC
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program
For Women, Infants, and Children
WIC helps supply nutritious foods so that pregnant women, new moms and young children eat well, learn about nutrition and stay healthy. WIC helps children reach their full growth potential and WIC children enter school ready to learn and show better cognitive performance.
Annual News Release: The New Madrid County Health Department has announced that a contract to continue to provide WIC services for federal fiscal year 2017 has been signed with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Under the terms of the contract, the New Madrid County Health Department will be able to serve 632 persons eligible for WIC every month.
WIC ELIGIBILITY
WIC applicants must meet eligibility requirements under the following Categorical, Residential, Income and Nutrition Risk criteria……
Who is eligible?
Categorical
- Pregnant women
- Women who are breast feeding a baby under the 1 year of age
- Women who have had a baby or miscarriage in the past six months
- Children under the age of 5
Residential
- Applicants must live in Missouri to receive Missouri WIC. Applicants can choose to receive WIC in the county of their choice.
Income
- Applicants must have gross income at or below the standards in the table below.
- WIC counts all of the members of the household.
- Pregnant women are counted as two family members.
- Some applicants who receive Mo Health Net may automatically meet income eligibility.
- Applicants who receive food stamps or TANF are automatically eligible.
Missouri WIC Income Guidelines
| 1 | $25,142 | $2,096 | $1,048 | $967 | $484 |
| 2 | $33,874 | $2,823 | $1,412 | $1,303 | $652 |
| 3 | $42,606 | $3,551 | $1,776 | $1,639 | $820 |
| 4 | $51,338 | $4,279 | $2,140 | $1,975 | $988 |
| 5 | $60,070 | $5,006 | $2,503 | $2,311 | $1,156 |
| 6 | $68,802 | $5,734 | $2,867 | $2,647 | $1,324 |
| 7 | $77,534 | $6,462 | $3,231 | $2,983 | $1,492 |
| 8 | $86,266 | $7,189 | $3,595 | $3,318 | $1,659 |
| 9 | $94,998 | $7,917 | $3,959 | $3,654 | $1,827 |
| 10 | $103,730 | $8,645 | $4,323 | $3,990 | $1,995 |
| 11 | $112,462 | $9,372 | $4,686 | $4,326 | $2,163 |
| 12 | $121,194 | $10,100 | $5,050 | $4,662 | $2,331 |
| 13 | $129,926 | $10,828 | $5,414 | $4,998 | $2,499 |
| 14 | $138,658 | $11,555 | $5,778 | $5,333 | $2,667 |
| 15 | $147,390 | $12,283 | $6,142 | $5,669 | $2,835 |
| 16 | $156,122 | $13,011 | $6,506 | $6,005 | $3,003 |
| Each additional family member | Plus $8,732 | Plus $728 | Plus $364 | Plus $336 | Plus $168 |
Pregnant women are counted as two family members. Income guidelines are based on 185% of poverty level. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. #909 (04/22)
Nutritional Risk
- WIC participant’s height and weight are measured and blood work is taken to check for anemia at certification and mid-certification appointments every month.
- WIC participants meet with a Nutritionist for a health and nutrition screening to determine nutritional risks.
There are two main categories of nutritional risk:
- Medically-based risks such as a history of prematurity, underweight, or iron deficiency anemia, and
- Nutrition-based risks such as poor eating habits that can lead to poor nutritional and health status.
WIC BENEFITS
Food Package
WIC participants receive checks to purchase specific foods at the grocery store each month which are designed to supplement their diets. WIC foods are high in one or more of the following nutrients:
- Protein
- Vitamins A. B6, C, D
- Zinc
- Folate
- Iron
- Calcium
Different food packages are provided for different categories of participants. WIC foods may include:
- Milk
- Eggs
- Juice
- Cereal
- Dry beans/canned beans
- Tuna
- Peanut butter
- Whole grain bread or pasta, tortillas, brown rice
- Fresh/frozen fruits and vegetables
- Tofu
- Infant formula
- Baby foods/cereal
Nutrition Education
WIC participants are required to receive nutrition education at least once between every certification and mid-certification. Nutrition education is available one on one with a nutritionist on staff or an online option is available for non-high risk participants.
Breastfeeding Support
Our Health Department encourages families to breastfeed and offers the following breastfeeding services:
- Prenatal breastfeeding classes
- Manual and electric breast pumps
- Certified Lactation Consultant
Referrals
WIC refers clients to a variety of health and social service agencies and programs. Examples include: MO Health Net, Food Stamps, Prenatal care, Prenatal case management, Medical and Dental services, Family Planning, Immunizations, Head Start, Food assistance programs.
Contact WIC
Call the New Madrid County Health Department or WIC at 573-748-5541 or 573-748-5581 to schedule an appointment. Office hours are 8:00 – 4:30 Monday – Friday except when WIC is at a scheduled satellite clinic.
Satellite clinics are held once monthly at the following locations:
- Matthews
- Morehouse
- Portageville
- Gideon
- Risco
- Parma
Applicants must bring the following to the certification appointment:
- Proof of identity for women – bring a driver’s license, work/school ID card, military card, passport, social security card, birth certificate or voter's registration card
- Proof of identity for child/infant – bring shot record or birth certificate for 2 months and older. Bring a crib card or shot record from the hospital for infants younger than 2 months.
- Proof of residency – bring the most recent utility bill, monthly rent/mortgage payment, or reliable third party piece of mail that has your name and current address on it.
- Proof of income – bring the most recent employment/unemployment pay stubs for a month, DFS benefits award letter, social security/SSI letter, or child support/alimony letter. If self-employed bring a copy of your federal tax form.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer
New Madrid County Health Department
WIC Services