WIC announces requirements The federally funded Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) recently announced eligibility guidelines for the fiscal year beginning July 1.

WIC announces requirements
The federally funded Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) recently announced eligibility guidelines for the fiscal year beginning July 1.

The Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey (VNACJ), Red Bank, provides WIC services in Monmouth and Middlesex counties, and Franklin Township (Somerset County).

For eligibility, a participant must be a pregnant, postpartum or breast-feeding woman, an infant, or a child under age 5. The participant’s pre-tax household income may not exceed $306 per week (individual); $414 (family of two); $521 (family of three); $628 (family of four); and $736 (family of five). Each additional family member adds $108 to the allowable family maximum.

Participants must meet additional requirements as determined by a WIC health professional. Participants in the Food Stamp Program, AFDC and Medicaid may also be eligible for WIC; and the program is open to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, sex, national origin, age or disability.

The program provides nutritious foods, nutrition education, breast-feeding consultation and other health services. The program has also increased the number of women receiving prenatal care; thus has helped reduce the incidence of low birth weight and fetal mortality.

For more information on WIC, call the Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey at (732) 747-1204.