Fact sheet: Women, Infants and Children Nutrition Program (WIC), No. 31 (Feb. 2008)

fact sheet

Georgia Department of Human Resources
WOMEN, INFANTS AND CHILDREN NUTRITION PROGRAM (WIC)
What is WIC? The Women, Infants and Children program is a special nutrition program for low income pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women and children up to the age of 5 years. WIC was established in 1972 to improve the health and nutritional status of low-income families by providing special supplemental foods during critical periods of growth and development. The program provides nutrition education, nutritious foods, breastfeeding promotion and support, and referrals to other health services. The Georgia WIC program is 100 percent federally funded and serves families with incomes up to 185 percent of the federal poverty level.
Program participants receive vouchers to redeem at authorized grocery stores and pharmacies for special foods rich in protein, iron, calcium, and vitamins A and C. These foods include eggs, cheese, milk, cereal, fruit juices, dried peas and beans, peanut butter, and infant formula. Participants breastfeeding their babies receive carrots and tuna in addition to the standard food package.
WIC encourages breastfeeding because breast milk is best to give babies a healthy start. WIC gives pregnant women nutrition education and support to help them make the best choice for feeding their babies, and provides ongoing support and information to mothers who want to breastfeed.
WIC in Georgia Georgia's WIC program is the fifth largest in the nation and second largest in the
southeast. During federal fiscal year 2007, 51% of women were enrolled in the Georgia WIC
program within the first trimester of pregnancy. The Georgia WIC program served a monthly average of 23,044 pregnant women
within federal fiscal year 2007. More than 80% of infants were enrolled in the WIC program within the first six
weeks of life in federal fiscal year 2007. The Georgia WIC program served an average of 283,111 women, infants and
children per month during federal fiscal year 2007. Within federal fiscal year 2008, the Georgia WIC program is projected to serve
293,247 women, infants and children per month. Infant formula rebates are projected to save Georgia $78 million in federal fiscal year
2008. This will allow the program to serve thousands of additional clients. During federal fiscal year 2007, the number of women in the Georgia WIC
program that supported breastfeeding as the healthiest choice for their child was 32,884. In federal fiscal year 2007, the Georgia WIC program helped to ensure that approximately 85% of children between the ages of 2 to 5 were within normal weight ranges.

Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC)
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Why is WIC important? Georgia has one of the highest infant mortality rates in the nation. Good nutrition and
regular prenatal care during pregnancy, and good nutrition and preventive health care for infants are key to preventing babies from dying or becoming disabled. Low-income families that receive WIC, Medicaid, immunizations and medical checkups have a significantly lower infant mortality rate than do other low-income families in the state. Women participating in WIC are more likely to get prenatal care early in their pregnancy and to seek preventive care such as health checks and immunizations for their children. According to a national study, every dollar spent on WIC saves up to $3 in health care costs.

Who gets WIC? WIC is available to women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, have given birth within the past two months, and children up to their 5th birthday. To be eligible for WIC, they must meet the following requirements:

Be a resident of Georgia or a migrant farm worker currently living in Georgia. Be at nutritional risk. The nutritional risk must be determined and documented by a
nutritionist or other health professional. Examples of nutrition-related medical conditions are: anemia, low birth weight, abnormal weight gain during pregnancy, a history of high-risk pregnancies, or inadequate diet. Have a family income of no more than 185 percent of the federal poverty level. A person receiving Medicaid, TANF, or food stamps automatically meets the income eligibility requirement.

Examples of eligible income:

Family size

Yearly income

1

$18,889

2

$25,327

3

$31,765

4

$38,203

For each additional family member add $6,438.

How to get WIC Applicants wishing to apply for WIC benefits should contact their county health departments. Residents of Fulton County may also apply at Grady Hospital and Southside Community Health Center. More information about WIC is available at http://health.state.ga.us/programs/wic/ or by calling 1-800-228-9173.

Georgia Department of Human Resources Office of Communications www.dhr.georgia.gov February 2008

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