Can Non Citizens Get WIC

Undocumented immigrants are not eligible for the WIC program, but US citizens, as well as non-citizen US residents, can get WIC if they meet the other eligibility requirements, which include: residency in a WIC-approved area, income at or below WIC guidelines, and nutritional risk, such as being pregnant, breastfeeding, postpartum, or having an infant or child under age 5.

Do Non-Citizens Qualify for WIC?

Yes, non-citizens can get WIC (Women, Infants, and Children). WIC is a federal nutrition program that provides food, nutrition education, and breastfeeding support to low-income pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, and infants and children up to age 5. Non-citizens who meet income and residency requirements are eligible to apply for the program.

Required Documentation for Non-Citizen WIC Applicants

Proof of identity, such as a driver’s license, state ID card, or passport
Proof of address, such as a utility bill or rent receipt
Proof of income, such as pay stubs or a letter from an employer
Proof of residency, such as a lease or mortgage statement
Proof of immigration status, such as a green card, work permit, or visa

Non-citizens may also be asked to provide additional documentation, such as a birth certificate for their children or proof of pregnancy for themselves.

Residency Requirements

To be eligible for WIC, non-citizens must be residents of the United States. This means that they must have a permanent address in the U.S. and intend to stay in the country for an extended period of time.

Income Requirements

Income requirements for WIC vary by state. In general, non-citizens must have a household income that is below 185% of the federal poverty level. This means that a family of four with a household income of less than $48,638 per year would be eligible for WIC.

How to Apply for WIC

To apply for WIC, non-citizens should contact their local WIC office. They can find their local WIC office by visiting the WIC website or calling the WIC hotline at 1-800-223-4454.

WIC for Non-Citizens

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides nutritional assistance to pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, infants, and children up to five years of age who are considered at nutritional risk. Generally, U.S. citizenship or legal permanent residency is required to receive WIC benefits. However, there are exceptions for non-citizens who meet certain criteria.

Benefits of WIC for Non-Citizens

Non-citizens who qualify for WIC can receive a range of benefits, including:

Nutrition education
Access to healthy foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat milk
Breastfeeding support
Referrals to other health and social services

Eligibility Requirements for Non-Citizens

To be eligible for WIC as a non-citizen, individuals must meet the following criteria:

1. **Income guidelines:** Non-citizens must meet the same income guidelines as U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents.
2. **Nutritional risk:** Non-citizens must be determined to be at nutritional risk by a healthcare professional. This is typically based on factors such as low income, inadequate diet, or certain health conditions.
3. **Residency:** Non-citizens must reside in the United States legally and plan to remain in the country for the duration of their WIC participation.
4. **Immigration status:** Non-citizens must have one of the following immigration statuses:
– Lawfully admitted for permanent residence (Green Card holder)
– Granted asylum or refugee status
– Admitted as a conditional entrant under Section 203(a)(7) of the Immigration and Nationality Act
– Granted parole for at least one year
– Granted temporary protected status under Section 244 of the Immigration and Nationality Act
– Admitted as a battered immigrant-qualifying alien or a VAWA self-petitioner under Section 101(a)(15)(U)(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act
– Admitted as a Cuban-Haitian entrant under Section 501(e) of the Refugee Education Assistance Act of 1980
– Granted deferred enforced departure (DED) or deferred action (DA)
– Granted Temporary Protected Status (TPS)

Application Process

To apply for WIC as a non-citizen, individuals can contact their local WIC agency. They will need to provide proof of identity, proof of income, proof of residency, and proof of immigration status. They will also need to be screened for nutritional risk by a healthcare professional.

Non-citizens who meet the eligibility requirements will be issued a WIC Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card that they can use to purchase eligible foods at authorized WIC vendors.

Resources for Non-Citizens Applying for WIC

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides nutritious food and nutrition education to eligible low-income women, infants, and children up to age 5. Non-citizens may be eligible for WIC if they meet certain income and residency requirements.

To apply for WIC, non-citizens must provide the following documentation:

Proof of identity
Proof of income
Proof of residency
Proof of immigration status

Non-citizens who are undocumented may still be eligible for WIC if they meet all other eligibility requirements. However, they will need to provide additional documentation, such as a letter from their employer or a utility bill, to prove their residency.

Pregnant women who are non-citizens may also be eligible for WIC if they meet the income and residency requirements. They will need to provide proof of pregnancy, such as a doctor’s note or a positive pregnancy test.

Once a non-citizen has been approved for WIC, they will receive a WIC card that they can use to purchase food at authorized WIC stores. WIC cards are valid for one year, and participants must reapply each year to continue receiving benefits.