How To Apply For WIC In Missouri

Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, also know as WIC, is a program that is designed to help low-income pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, infants, and children 5 years old or younger who are at nutritional risk. The Missouri WIC program accomplishes this by providing nutritious foods to supplement diets, information that can help provide healthy eating options including breastfeeding, and referrals to health care. If you are looking to know how to apply for WIC in Missouri, then read the information provided below.

How do I get on Missouri WIC?
To apply for WIC benefits, you must visit a WIC agency near you. For additional assistance finding a WIC agency, please contact TEL-LINK at 1-800-TEL-LINK or 1-800-835-5465.

What benefits does WIC offer?
The WIC program provides breastfeeding support, nutrition education, referrals to appropriate health agencies, and nutritious foods for eligible applicants.

Who is eligible to receive WIC benefits?
WIC serves pregnant women, non-breastfeeding postpartum women (up to 6 months after delivery or termination of the pregnancy), breastfeeding women (up to 1 year after delivery as long as they are breastfeeding the baby), infants from birth up to 1 year of age, and children up to their 5th birthday. All applicants must meet income guidelines. Individuals who meet income and category guidelines will be assessed for nutritional risk factors during the certification process.

Missouri WIC Participant Eligibility
Participant eligibility is based on three things, category, income, and nutritional risk.

Categories include:
Women - pregnant women, postpartum breastfeeding women up to 1 year after delivery while nursing, and postpartum non-breastfeeding women up to 6 months after delivery or termination of the pregnancy.

Infants – from birth up to one year of age.

Children – from one year of age up to their 5th birthday.

Income:
Calculated on the family income at 185% or less of federal poverty level.

Nutritional Risk:
WIC documents and prioritizes the nutritional health risks of all WIC participants. This assessment helps to guarantee that the program benefits those who need it most and that the help given is appropriate for the participants' nutritional health.

Risks For Women
Anthropometric (Measurement) Risks

• Low Maternal Weight Gain
• Maternal Weight Loss During Pregnancy
• Prepregnancy/Postpartum Underweight
• Prepregnancy/Postpartum Overweight
• High Maternal Weight Gain

Clinical, Health, or Medical Risks

• Pregnancy-Induced Conditions
• Pregnancy at a Young Age
• History of Low Birthweight
• History of Spontaneous Abortion (Miscarriage)
• History of Fetal Loss (Stillbirth)
• History of Neonatal Loss (Death of Baby After Birth)
• History of Birth with Nutrition- Related Congenital or Birth Defect
• Closely Spaced Pregnancies
• High Parity (Pregnant Many Times) and Young Age
• Multifetal Gestation (Twins, Triplets, Etc.)
• Pregnant Woman Currently Breastfeeding
• Nutrition-Related Risks or Conditions
• Dental Problems

Biochemical Risks

• Low hemoglobin/Low Hematocrit
• Elevated Blood Lead Levels

Dietary Risks

• Failure to Meet Dietary Guidelines
• Inappropriate Nutrition Practices for Women

Other Risks

• Possibility of Regression
• Transfer of Certification
• Breastfeeding Complications
• Homelessness or Migrancy
• Presumptive Eligibility for Pregnant Woman
• Breastfeeding Mother of Infant at Nutritional Risk

Risks For Infants and Children
Anthropometric (Measurement) Risks

• Inadequate Growth
• Low Birth Weight
• Prematurity
• Small for Gestational Age
• Low Head Circumference
• Underweight or at-risk of Becoming Underweight Infants and Children
• Overweight Children
• At-risk of Becoming Overweight Infants and Children
• Short Stature or At Risk of Short Stature
• Failure to Thrive

Clinical, Health, or Medical Risks

• Nutrition-Related Risks or Conditions
• Dental Problems

Biochemical Risks

• Low hemoglobin/Low Hematocrit
• Elevated Blood Lead Levels

Dietary Risks

• Failure to Meet Dietary Guidelines
• Inappropriate Nutrition Practices for Infants
• Inappropriate Nutrition Practices for Children
• Dietary Risk Associated with Complementary Feeding Practices

Other Risks

• Possibility of Regression
• Transfer of Certification
• Breastfeeding Complications
• Homelessness or Migrancy
• Infant up to 6 months of age of a woman participating in WIC or of a woman who would have been eligible during pregnancy
• Breastfeeding Infant of a Woman at Nutritional Risk
• Primary Caregiver with Limited Ability to Make Feeding Decisions and/or Prepare Food

Missouri WIC Income Guidelines
Pregnant women are counted as two family members. Income guidelines are based on 185% of poverty level. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.