Our health department encourages families to breastfeed and offers healthcare referrals, prenatal breastfeeding classes, a breastfeeding peer counselor program, a certified lactation consultant, access to manual and electric breast pumps, an after-hours breastfeeding support line and a mom-to-mom breastfeeding support group.
Nutrition education is available one-on-one with a nutritionist on staff or an online option is available for participants not at high risk of malnutrition. WIC participants are required to receive nutrition education at least once between every certification and mid-certification.
WIC refers clients to a variety of health and social service agencies and programs. Examples include: MO Health Net, food stamps, prenatal care, prenatal case management, medical and dental services, family planning, immunizations, children and youth with special health care needs, head start, early childhood, first steps and food assistance programs.
WIC participants receive benefits loaded to a card to purchase specific foods at the grocery store each month which are designed to supplement their diets. WIC foods are high in one or more of the following nutrients—protein, calcium, folate, iron, or vitamins A, B6, C, D.
Different food packages are provided for different categories of participants. WIC foods may include milk, eggs, juice, healthy cereals, dry beans, canned beans, cheese, yogurt, peanut butter, tuna, whole grain bread, tortillas, brown rice, tofu, fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables.
Packages may also include infant formula, infant cereal, infant fruits, vegetables and meats.
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WIC ELIGIBILITY
- Women
Pregnant (during pregnancy and up to 6 weeks after the birth of an infant or the end of the pregnancy
Postpartum (up to six months after the birth of the infant or the end of the pregnancy)
Breastfeeding (up to the infant's first birthday) - Infants (up to the infant's first birthday)
- Children (up to the child's fifth birthday)
Applicants must live in Missouri to receive Missouri WIC. Applicants can choose to receive WIC in the county of their choice.
- Applicants must have gross income at or below the standards in the table below.
- WIC counts all of the members of the household.
- Pregnant women are counted as two family members.
- Some applicants who receive Medicaid may automatically meet income eligibility.
- Applicants who receive food stamps or TANF are automatically eligible.