What Does WIC Pay For

WIC offers a variety of food and non-food items to participants who meet certain eligibility requirements. Food items include milk, cheese, eggs, fruits, vegetables, juice, beans, tuna, and peanut butter. Non-food items include iron supplements, breastfeeding support, nutrition education, and access to healthcare services. These items are provided to help improve the health and well-being of pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, and children up to age 5.

WIC Eligible Foods

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides vouchers that can be used to purchase a variety of healthy foods that are important for pregnant women, new mothers, and young children.

Fruits and vegetables: Fresh, frozen, canned, or dried fruits and vegetables are all eligible for WIC vouchers.
Whole grains: Whole grain bread, cereal, pasta, and rice are all eligible for WIC vouchers.
Dairy products: Milk, cheese, yogurt, and infant formula are all eligible for WIC vouchers.
Meat, poultry, and fish: Lean meats, poultry, and fish are all eligible for WIC vouchers.
Beans and lentils: Dried or canned beans and lentils are all eligible for WIC vouchers.

In addition to these food items, WIC also provides vouchers for other items that are important for the health of pregnant women and young children, such as:

Infant cereal
Baby food
Juice
Eggs
Peanut butter

The specific foods that are available through WIC vary from state to state, so it is important to check with your local WIC office to see what foods are available in your area.

WIC Food Vouchers and Benefits

WIC provides food vouchers that can be used to purchase eligible foods at authorized grocery stores. The amount of the vouchers that you receive each month will depend on your family’s size and income. In addition to food vouchers, WIC also provides other benefits, such as:

Nutrition education
Breastfeeding support
Referrals to other health and social services

WIC is a valuable program that can help to improve the health of pregnant women, new mothers, and young children. If you are eligible for WIC, we encourage you to apply for this program.

Category	Eligible Foods
Fruits and vegetables	Fresh, frozen, canned, or dried fruits and vegetables
Whole grains	Whole grain bread, cereal, pasta, and rice
Dairy products	Milk, cheese, yogurt, and infant formula
Meat, poultry, and fish	Lean meats, poultry, and fish
Beans and lentils	Dried or canned beans and lentils
Other items	Infant cereal, baby food, juice, eggs, peanut butter

WIC Provider Directory

The WIC Provider Directory is a comprehensive online database that lists all authorized WIC vendors in a particular area. It provides critical information about participating stores, including:

Names and addresses
Contact information (phone numbers and emails)
Hours of operation
Accepted forms of WIC payment

Using the WIC Provider Directory is an essential tool for WIC recipients as it allows them to easily locate authorized vendors in their area and access essential nutrition services. It’s important to note that the WIC Provider Directory may vary depending on the state or local WIC agency responsible for managing the program.

WIC Nutrition Counseling

WIC offers free nutrition counseling to help participants make healthy choices for themselves and their families. WIC nutritionists can provide guidance on:

Healthy eating during pregnancy
Breastfeeding
Feeding infants and children
Food safety
Meal planning
Grocery shopping on a budget
Healthy recipes

WIC nutrition counseling is available at all WIC clinics. To schedule an appointment, contact your local WIC clinic.

## Postpartum Benefits

Post-partum refers to the period following childbirth. During this time, mothers’ bodies are recovering from the physical and hormonal changes that took place during pregnancy and birth. Post-partum benefits are designed to support mothers’ physical and mental health during this transition period.

**What’s Covered**

Post-partum benefits typically cover:

* **Hospital stay:** Inpatient care for a few days after delivery.
* **Doctor’s visits:** Check-ups and examinations to monitor mother’s recovery.
* **Nursing care:** Support from nurses to assist with breastfeeding and other post-birth care.
* **Medications:** Prescription drugs to manage pain, infection, or other medical conditions.
* **Physical therapy:** Treatment to restore muscle strength and mobility.
* **Mental health counseling:** Therapy to address emotional challenges associated with childbirth and becoming a parent.
* **Lactation support:** Guidance and assistance with breastfeeding.

**Duration of Coverage**

The duration of post-partum benefits varies depending on the insurance provider and plan.

* **Medicaid:** Typically covers up to 60 days postpartum.
* **Private insurance:** Coverage may vary, but typically covers a few weeks or months postpartum.

**Table of Postpartum Benefits**