Free food for children and pregnant women...did you see this?
@beautyqueen26 (16030)
United States
June 12, 2008 9:35am CST
I was just reading a very sad article about low birth weight in babies and how it's causing many disabilities and even higher mortality rates. And, that's so sad.
But, a lot of people don't know that there are already programs in many states like WIC (ask your clinic or OB about this free program) that help feed indigent and low income women and children.
They provide the basics like beans and milk and cheese and free formula for bottle fed babies. They provide juice, too. And, even peanut butter (for children over age of two). It's not food stamps. They don't provide money for meat or chicken or anything like that. It's a nutritional filler. And, it's an amazing free program.
When I was pregnant and we didn't have ANY money at all, they were a real blessing and often we received up to $200 monthly in free food. They have a much lower qualification level than food stamps. Basically if you're a pregnant woman or new mom (with child up to age four) and you need help getting nutritious foods and have low income (usually under $19,000 but varies in some states), then you qualify.
It's not one of those programs where they visit your house or get involved in your personal situation. If you need help getting nutritious food, then they help you.
You can find the phone number for your local WIC in your phone book or ask your health care professional or clinic for a free referral.
I wanted to pass that along, because there are many teen moms and young moms who don't already know about the program. Usually the WIC office is located in the same place as your clinic. They will have an office there or centrally located.
Have you heard of WIC (Women, Infants, Children) before? Did you use the program when you were pregnant, or nursing?
4 people like this
10 responses
@leatherandlatex (295)
• United States
12 Jun 08
WIC doesn't just help low income and indigent woman. My husband gets $15 an hour and I was on WIC when I was pregnant and my daughter still gets formula and rice cereal. WIC is there to help out woman and children no matter what your income is. Food Stamps are for indigent women. It's children up to age 5 not 4, but it may be different wherever you come from. I did nurse and they helped me with a pump. When I was pregnant I was given milk, peanut butter, carrots, beans, cereal, cheese, eggs and tuna. It helped us focus more on the new baby and everything she neede rather than if we had enough money for food. It's a hard world to live in. Even with all the money my husband makes we still struggle sometimes with basic needs. WIC understands this and they are there to help.
@beautyqueen26 (16030)
• United States
12 Jun 08
That is super news! WIC has changed for the better! I am happy to hear that. In our area, the age limit is four years old and for low income women. Still is.
I'm so happy that the rest of the country is enjoying the bounty too. Thank you for posting that update. I forgot about the carrots and cereal. It's been so long. All those things were so essential when I was pregnant.
You're right, they do offer many varieties of healthy foods. And, I'm happy to hear that your family is doing well financially. Blessings upon you! Have a nice day.
@sedel1027 (17846)
• Cupertino, California
13 Jun 08
Even at $15/hour on a 40 hour and you not working that did place you under the poverty level for the US ($35K), that is how you qualified. When I was pregnant for my son, my ex was in the military (a very low rank) and we barely qualified because of how they counted military benefits. Had I worked even a PT job at minimum wage, we would have lost benefits. I did not get pregnant on purpose and could barely afford to feed ourselves, let alone me being pregnant. Even with WIC we went without a ton of food in the house. WIC was very helpful to us.
@beautyqueen26 (16030)
• United States
13 Jun 08
Hi Sedel! Thanks for pointing that out. Many people assume that poverty is simply no money at all. And, that's not how the government measures things. Many families would do without if the governement simply counted no money as poverty.
@marsha32 (6631)
• United States
16 Jun 08
I spent 17 solid years on WIC because of the spacing of my kids. I keep trying to get my daughter to get on it and stay on it but she won't. Her kids go thru a gallon of milk a day and its getting rather expensive. She would have 3 children that would all qualify.
Marsha
@sid556 (30959)
• United States
13 Jun 08
I got wic when my girls were small and oh it was a lifesaver. I was a single mom and because I worked full time, I did not qualify for any other kind of financial aid...well, income based housing, but that's about it. They also are very helpful with recipes and ways to use these foods to make a variety of healthy meals and snacks. They are also very resourceful and can direct you to other programs that may also help your situation. Great program!
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
13 Jun 08
i had heard of that when I was much younger and at one
time we used their services until we could get good
jobs and they really do help you out without any
bother or fuss. I am now a senior citizen and tell
young people about this if they are in need. its a great
pogram.
@wangchunlin (155)
• China
13 Jun 08
i never see any free food for children or pregnant women. those things can only appear in those developed countries.
@GardenGerty (160883)
• United States
12 Jun 08
If WIC had been around, I doubt we would have qualified. My daughter does, where she lives, with a two year old. She wanted to drop the benefits, feeling badly about it because her hubby makes good money. The WIC office persuaded her not to, saying that if they did not use their portion this year, the entire region would get cut. You know, use it or lose it. I have a friend who received her medical care because of being an at risk pregnacy. That was probably Healthwave, though.
@laglen (19759)
• United States
12 Jun 08
I have heard of it and I did use it for a short time while pregnant and right after the birth. This is an outstanding program and doesn't promote dependence on the system. To add to your post, they require education in nutrition. This isn't required for food stamps, which explains all of the slurpees bought with them! Women receiving WIC are more likely to shop smarter and feed their kids better! I would highly recommend this program to anybody in need!
@lilybug (21107)
• United States
12 Jun 08
I got WIC while I was pregnant with both of my kids. My son got it till he was off formula. My daughter is 16 months old and she still gets it. I think it is age 5 here in Missouri. Eligibility varies by family size. I can make up to 32,560 and still qualify. It is a good thing to get. I have her appointment in about an hour to get the next 2 months of coupons. She gets 5 gallons of milk, 2 dozen eggs, 4 things of frozen juice, a jar of peanut butter, and 36 ounces of cereal every month.
