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WIC Program Expands Income Guidelines

By Chase Porter Aug 15, 2024 | 4:47 PM
A WIC card | Photo courtesy of U.S. Department of Agriculture

More families will be eligible for the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program under new guidelines released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The maximum qualifying income for a family of 4 was raised by $2,200 to $57,720 a year — up from $55,500 in 2023.

WIC is a federal program that provides healthy foods at no cost for pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and children up to age 5, including foster children. WIC also provides nutrition counseling, breastfeeding support and education and community resources and referrals, all free of charge.

“Nutritious foods and other services through WIC help keep children and families healthy,” said Bobbi Beat, WIC Program Manager for the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department (LLCHD). “Studies have shown that those who participate in WIC start prenatal care sooner, are more likely to breastfeed and breastfeed longer, have improved diets, more regular medical care and up to date vaccinations for children.”

To be eligible for WIC, participants must meet income guidelines. Those receiving Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formally known as food stamps) or Aid for Dependent Children are automatically eligible for WIC. Mothers, fathers, guardians, and foster parents may apply for WIC for their children. WIC is also available to families experiencing homelessness.

This year, WIC celebrates 50 years since the first WIC clinic opened in Pineville, Kentucky in 1974 and has grown to serve participants in 89 U.S. States, Tribes, and Territories. Today, 6.7 million women, infants, and children are served through the WIC program. The state of Nebraska serves around 36,000 participants annually.

“In 1975, WIC started in Nebraska serving 400 participants. By 1979, it had grown to 13 agencies in the state, including Lincoln’s first WIC clinic,” said Kayla Abel, WIC Program Coordinator for Family Service Lincoln. “Lincoln now serves nearly 7,000 clients through five different clinics and we see WIC changing more lives each and every day.”

LLCHD and Family Service Lincoln are the two local agencies serving Lincoln and Lancaster County. Learn more about WIC at lincoln.ne.gov/health or familyservicelincoln.org/wic.

An income/family-size chat is available below.

Guidelines are adjusted yearly at the federal level based on changes to the prices of goods and services.