Service Description & Eligibility: WIC is a health and nutrition program that has a positive effect on pregnancy outcomes, child growth, and development. This is a federally-funded program that serves low and moderate income pregnant, breastfeeding women, postpartum women, infants, and children up to age 5 who may have a nutrition-related health problem. To complete your WIC online education click here.

WIC provides breastfeeding support and healthy foods, such as formula, milk, cheese, eggs, fortified cereal, and peanut butter or dried beans or peas. Additional services include nutrition education, counseling, and immunizations. WIC also has a positive effect on pregnancies, child growth and development. Here are some facts about WIC:

 

• Each month, more than 200,000 moms, babies, and children less than age 5 receive nutritious foods from the Michigan WIC Program.

• WIC foods are worth $30-$112 or more per month for each participant.

• One out of every two babies born in Michigan receives WIC benefits.

• The earlier a pregnant woman receives nutritional benefits from WIC, the more likely she is to seek prenatal care and deliver a normal weight infant.

• For every dollar spent by this program, more than three dollars in health care costs are saved.

• Many families qualify financcially for the WIC program. Click here to get the financial guidelines.

• Local communities are supported with more than $120 million yearly when WIC foods are purchased at grocery stores and pharmacies.

 

To learn more, please call the WIC agency nearest you for more information or call 1-800-26-BIRTH. For the local phone number and location of the WIC agencies serving your county, see Locations

 

Nutrition Education:

WIC nutrition education assists WIC participants with:

 

• Infant and toddler feeding

• Breastfeeding

• Prenatal weight gain

• Anemia or iron deficiency

• Child growth and development and other nutrition related health issues.

 

High Risk Nutrition Counseling:

Registered Dietitians at WIC provide individualized high risk nutrition counseling for participants with special medical conditions or nutrition-related health issues.

 

Lead Testing is available for WIC Participants:

Blood lead testing is encourages and available for all WIC children over 1 year of age. There is no fee for those with Medicaid.

 

Breastfeeding Promotion and Support:

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding for the first year of life. All WIC agencies have trained personnel ready to assist mothers with the basics of breastfeeding. Many WIC agencies have breastfeeding peer counselor support programs that provide mother-to-mother counseling. In addition, WIC agencies provide educational resources and breast pumps for returning to work or school.

 

Health Care Referrals:

WIC works closely with the health care community, receiving referrals from private and public health care providers and providing referrals as needed for health and social services. WIC refers participants for immunizations, substance abuse counseling and treatment, prenatal care, smoking cessation, lead screening, the Healthy Kids/MI Child program, and more. For more help to quit smoking visit this site. WIC encourages persons already receiving medical services to remain under their physicians' care. WIC also encourages well-child visits and routine health and dental care.

 

Foods for Infants (Birth-12 Months):

The WIC Program strongly encourages and provides support for breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is the preferred form of infant nutrition for all babies. For babies who are not fully breastfed, iron-fortified infant formula is available for the first year of life. Infants may also receive infant cereal and fruit juices during the first year. Infants with specific medical diagnoses may receive a special formula. Breastfed babies receive additional food items that formula fed babies do not receive.

 

Foods for Women and Children:

Pregnant and postpartum women and children (under 5 years of age) participating in WIC receive food benefits for milk, cheese, eggs, cereals, peanut butter or dried beans or peas, and fruit or vegetable juices, fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grain breads and tortillas. Women who exclusively breastfeed their babies may also receive extra food, including canned tuna fish. Special formulas or nutritional supplements are also available to participating women and children who have certain medical conditions. WIC foods are selected to meet nutrient needs such as calcium, iron, folic acid, vitamins A & C. Participants buy food benefits at approved retail grocery stores and pharmacies Sample Food Package for a child for one month:

• 3 gallons of milk

• 1 pound of cheese

• 1 dozen eggs

• 36 ounces of cereal

• 1 pound of whole grains 

• $8.00 fresh fruits and vegetables

• 2 bottles of juice

 

Project FRESH: 
The WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP), also known as Project FRESH, provides eligible WIC participants with coupons to purchase locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables at farmers' markets. WIC participants receive these nutrition benefits in addition to their WIC food package and nutrition education. The Project FRESH program enhances farmers' earnings and supports participation in farmers' markets. This program partners with the Michigan State University Extension, local farmers and farmer's markets to promote healthy eating and fruit and vegetable consumption.

Application Process:
Contact your local health department branch office for an appointment. Bring with you residency, identity and income verification to your appointment.

Fees: None 
To qualify the participant must meet financial guidelines (MDCH WIC Financial Guidelines), and medical or nutritional risks. A family of four may earn up to $51,338.00 per year and still qualify for WIC benefits. There are charges for lead testing that apply unless child has Medicaid.

Hours: Office hours are Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 12 noon; 1:00 – 4:30 p.m. If these hours are difficult for you, ask the WIC staff about our late and early clinics. You must have an appointment to receive WIC benefits and services. 

Languages: English, Interpreters are available – please notify us in advance if needed.

Service Area: Arenac, Clare, Gladwin, Isabella, Osceola, Roscommon Counties.
 

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:
1. mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
2. fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
3. email: program.intake@usda.gov
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
05/05/2022

​

To access a PDF copy of the USDA Nondiscrimination Statement in English, click here.

To access a PDF copy of the USDA Nondiscrimination Statement in Spanish, click here.

To access a PDF copy of the USDA Nondiscrimination Statement in Arabic, click here.