WIC: Women, Infants and Children

What is WIC?

WIC is a nutrition education program that provides supplemental foods and nutrition information to keep pregnant women, infants and children under 5 healthy and strong.

*Program participation is confidential

Who is Eligible for WIC?

  • Live in Malheur County Oregon (Citizenship is not a requirement for participation)
  • Pregnant, postpartum (up to 6 months) or breastfeeding woman (up to 12 months), an infant or a child under five years of age. (Fathers, grandparents, foster parents or other guardians may apply for WIC for their children).
  • Have a nutritional need
  • If you currently receive TANF, Food Stamps or the Oregon Health Plan, you are automatically income eligible for WIC.
  • Have a household income that is less than or equal to the income guidelines
WIC Household Income Guidelines

Number of Person(s)
In Household

Gross Household Income

Annual

Monthly

Weekly

1

$20,147

$1,679

$388

2

$27,214

$2,268

$524

3

$34,281

$2,857

$660

4

$41,348

$3,446

$796

5

$48,415

$4,035

$932

6

$55,482

$4,624

$1,067

7

$62,549

$5,213

$1,203

8

$69,616

$5,802

$1,339

Each additional
household member add:

+$7,067 

+$589

+$136

*Household: A person or group of people, related or not, who usually live together and whose income and consumption of goods and services are related,. In determining the size of household for a pregnant WIC applicant, count each fetus as an additional household member.

*Income: Means gross income, including overtime, before deductions for income and social security taxes, insurance premiums, etc.

What Does WIC Provide?

  • Information and referrals for prenatal care and shots for your baby
  • Breastfeeding Support
  • Referrals to the Department of Human Services (DHS) for programs like TANF, Food Stamps and the Oregon Health Plan
  • Growth and developmental monitoring for children
  • Blood tests for anemia
  • Nutrition education, prenatal, breastfeeding, and infant/childhood feeding classes.
  • Behavior change counseling
  • Caring and professional staff, including bilingual services, a certified lactation consultant and registered dietitian
  • Vouchers to buy healthy foods such as:
    • Fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables
    • Milk
    • Cheese
    • Eggs
    • Cereal
    • Whole grains
    • Fruit juice
    • Peanut butter
    • Dried beans and peas
    • Canned fish for breast feeding mothers
    • Infant foods like cereal, pureed fruits and vegetables or meat
    • Formula

How Can I Participate?

Call (541) 889-7041 to find out how to apply or stop by our office at 1108 S.W. 4th Street, Ontario to pick up an application.

If you are program eligible you will be scheduled for an appointment and  receive nutrition information, counseling, referrals to other services and vouchers to buy foods upon qualification.

Who Benefits from WIC?

All of us do.  Over the past 25 years, there have been hundreds of scientific studies that demonstrate the cost-effectiveness and positive health outcomes of women and children participating in WIC. These benefits include:

  • Reduced incidence of low birth weight infants and infant mortality.
  • Healthier pregnancies and fewer premature births
  • Major savings in health care costs, specifically Medicaid, SSI for disabled children and special education.
  • Improved learning in school, better cognitive performance and better digit memory test scores.
  • Reduced incidence of anemia among children and pregnant women.
  • Improved immunization rates, improved diets and a greater likelihood of obtaining prenatal and regular health care.