Federal WIC program
valuable for families

Copyright © 2006 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.

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As of July 1, the WIC program is increasing the income eligibility level for pregnant women and families with young children. WIC is the acronym for Women, Infants, and Children, and is a program administered at the federal level by the Food and Nutrition Service and provides federal grants to the states.

This valuable program provides assistance with food, nutrition counseling, and access to health services for pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children under the age of 5.

The mission of WIC is to improve the health of pregnant women, new mothers, and their infants. This program is great for families who may make too much to qualify for welfare, but money is still tight because having a baby is so expensive. The new income eligibility level for a family of three, to include the mother, father, and the baby, is up to $591 weekly. For a family of four, with two children, the eligible income level is up to $712 weekly. WIC will provide vouchers that young families can use at the supermarket to purchase cereals, juices, milk, cheese, and formula. The cost of formula alone could be around $100 per month and this assistance will allow families to use their hard earned money for other important things such as heating fuel for next winter.

For more information visit www.WICforME.com or call 1-888-942-6333.

Joshua Reny

Fairfield

j_j_reny@hotmail.com