Breastfeeding Support & Education

1. Do I qualify for WIC?

– Who Is Eligible For WIC?

• Women who are:
  • Pregnant;
  • Breastfeeding; and
  • Postpartum

• As well as:
  • Infants; and
  • Children younger than 5.

– Eligibility Requirements

In order to be eligible for WIC benefits, you must meet the following requirements:

• Meet income guidelines. Click for more information.
• Households with incomes up to 185% of the federal poverty line are eligible.
• Have a nutrition-related health problem. (WIC applicants receive an initial screening at a WIC clinic to find any nutrition problems)
• Must be a resident of Texas
• U.S. citizenship is not a requirement for eligibility.

2. How to Become a Client of WIC

The following are the steps to becoming a WIC client.

• Call 1-888-WIC-HUGS // 1-888-942-4847
• Make an appointment to see if you and/or your household members can become WIC clients.
• Bring proof of income.
• Anyone on Medicaid, TANF, or SNAP already has the right income for WIC. So, bring proof that you and/or your household members are on Medicaid, TANF, or SNAP. (Be sure that your proof of Medicaid, TANF, or Food Stamps indicates that you are eligible within the same month of your appointment.)

If not on Medicaid, TANF, SNAP bring one of these items for each person in your household who has income:

• Check stub (dated within 30 days of your appointment) that shows gross family income;
• Current tax records;
• Letter from employer;
• Proof of Social Security benefits;
• Alimony or child-support payments; or
• Other proof (check with clinic). Bring proof of identification for each person who wants WIC benefits. Bring one of these items:
  • Driver’s license;
  • Birth certificate;
  • School ID or work ID; or
  • Other proof (check with clinic).

Each woman, infant, and child who wants WIC Benefits must come to the appointment.

3. You had your WIC appointment and qualified for the program. What comes next?

We will check your family’s health and income every year. This is called getting re-certified. By getting re-certified every year, you can receive WIC benefits until your child is 5. We will schedule your visits every 3 months so we can reload your WIC card with more food benefits.

4. What happens if my Texas WIC card gets lost or stolen?

If your Texas WIC card is lost or stolen call and report it to 1-800-942-3678 so WIC can cancel your card and protect your benefits. It can take up to 6 business days for the WIC clinic to get you a new card.

5. Do I need to take my WIC card to every appointment?

Yes, you will need to bring your Texas WIC card to each WIC appointment so our staff can reload your family’s information and food benefits on the card. Your Texas WIC card also serves as a form of identification for the WIC Program.

6. What other services other than the nutritious foods can I get from WIC?

WIC provides nutrition education in the form of one-on-one counseling, group discussion classes, self-paced paper & pencil classes, and online classes. A Registered Dietitian Nutritionist is also available for those seeking more specialized counseling due to a medical condition or healthcare provider concern/recommendation.

WIC also provides Breastfeeding Support through Breastfeeding Peer Counselors that are conveniently located in nearly all WIC clinic sites as well as referrals to an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant for those individuals that need more specific counseling on breastfeeding. WIC also provides referrals to other programs including but not limited to: Clinical Services (Family Planning, Immunizations, Maternal & Health Services), Environmental Health (General Sanitation, Animal Control), and Indigent Health Care.