Applying for the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program in Washington, DC, is straightforward. To start, gather your identification and income information. Contact the DC WIC Program to schedule an interview. The interview can be held in person, over the phone, or virtually. You’ll be asked about your household size, income, and any health conditions that may make you eligible. If approved, you’ll receive a WIC card to purchase nutritious foods and drinks, such as milk, cheese, cereal, and fresh produce, at WIC-approved stores. The WIC card can also be used for certain brands of infant formula and baby food. You’ll need to visit a WIC clinic regularly to receive nutrition education and support.
WIC Eligibility Criteria in DC
To be eligible for WIC in the District of Columbia, you must meet the following criteria:
- Be a pregnant, breastfeeding, or postpartum woman.
- Be a child under the age of 5.
- Meet the income guidelines established by the USDA.
**Household Size** **Annual Gross Income**
1 $23,330
2 $31,510
3 $39,690
4 $47,870
5 $56,050
6 $64,230
7 $72,410
8 $80,590In addition, you must also be at nutritional risk. This can be determined by a healthcare professional or by meeting certain criteria, such as having a low birth weight baby or being anemic.
If you meet all of the eligibility criteria, you can apply for WIC at any of the authorized WIC clinics in the District of Columbia.
WIC Application Process in DC
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides nutrition education and food assistance to pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, as well as infants and children up to age 5. To apply for WIC in DC, follow these steps:
- Find a WIC clinic: Locate the closest WIC clinic in your neighborhood by visiting the DC WIC website or calling 1-800-665-9427.
- Bring required documents: Bring proof of income, such as a pay stub, tax return, or Social Security statement; proof of residency, such as a utility bill or lease agreement; and proof of identification, such as a driver’s license or passport.
- Complete an application: Fill out the WIC application form with your personal information, income details, and family size.
- Meet with a WIC staff member: A WIC staff member will review your application and ask you questions about your health and nutrition status.
- Get screened: You will receive a basic health screening, including measurements of your height, weight, and blood pressure.
- Receive WIC benefits: If you are eligible, you will receive a WIC card that you can use to purchase authorized food items at participating grocery stores.
The WIC benefits you receive will vary depending on your specific needs. For example, pregnant women may receive coupons for milk, juice, eggs, beans, and cereal; breastfeeding women may receive coupons for milk and cheese; and infants may receive formula, baby food, and fruits and vegetables.
Category Income Eligibility Pregnant Women At or below 185% of the federal poverty level Postpartum Women At or below 185% of the federal poverty level for up to 6 months after delivery Breastfeeding Women At or below 185% of the federal poverty level for up to 1 year after delivery Infants At or below 185% of the federal poverty level Children At or below 185% of the federal poverty level Documentation Required for WIC Application
To apply for the WIC program in Washington, D.C., you will need to provide the following documentation:
- Proof of income
- Proof of residency
- Proof of identity
- Proof of pregnancy (if pregnant)
- Proof of child’s age (if applying for a child)
Specific examples of acceptable documentation for each category are shown in the following table:
Documentation Category Acceptable Documentation Proof of Income Pay stubs, income tax return, Social Security benefits letter Proof of Residency Utility bill, lease agreement, driver’s license Proof of Identity Driver’s license, state ID card, passport Proof of Pregnancy Doctor’s letter, prenatal record Proof of Child’s Age Birth certificate, passport WIC Clinic Locations in DC
To find a WIC clinic in DC, you can use the WIC Clinic Locator on the USDA website: https://wic.fns.usda.gov/wps/portal/wic/locators/clinic/results.
Once you have found a WIC clinic, you can call or visit the clinic to make an appointment. You will need to bring the following information with you to your appointment:
- Proof of income
- Proof of residency
- Proof of identity
- A list of your household members
At your appointment, you will be screened to see if you are eligible for WIC. If you are eligible, you will be issued a WIC card. You can use your WIC card to purchase WIC-approved foods at authorized grocery stores.
Table 1: WIC Clinic Locations in DC Clinic Name Address Phone Number Anacostia WIC Clinic 2020 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20020 (202) 671-2400 Benning Road WIC Clinic 3911 Benning Rd. NE, Building A, Washington, DC 20019 (202) 636-4800 Congress Heights WIC Clinic 3001 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE, Suite 203, Washington, DC 20032 (202) 563-7100 Thanks for taking the time to read about how to apply for WIC in DC! I hope you found this information helpful. If you have any questions or need additional assistance, don’t hesitate to contact your local WIC office. Keep in mind that eligibility and program details may vary from time to time, so be sure to check the WIC website periodically for updates. Thanks again for reading, and I hope you’ll visit us again soon!