WIC UPDATE 04-03-2020

The Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, known as WIC, remains in operation in Missouri. Local agencies continue to support current participants and to enroll new participants who may now be income-eligible due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Given the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to control the

impact of the COVID-19 pandemic through means of social distancing, the United States Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has approved Missouri’s request to waive the WIC program’s physical presence requirement. Normal clinic operations that require employees, participants and applicants to physically come into the clinic create an undesirable risk and there are mandatory clinic closures in some areas. A waiver of physical presence removes a requirement that could prevent or impede the provision of essential WIC services to participants under current circumstances.

The approval to waive the physical presence requirement includes the ability to defer

anthropometric and bloodwork requirements necessary to determine nutritional risk for the

period the physical presence waiver is in effect per section 2203(a)(1)(B) of H.R. 6201.

Missouri WIC has requested additional waivers to allow WIC local agencies and retailers to better serve current and new WIC participants while limiting exposure and travel for WIC participants and staff. These strategies will help local, state and national efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 and will allow WIC participants to receive services if under quarantine. Missouri will act swiftly to implement new strategies for remote service delivery as additional waivers are approved. The current waivers have been approved through May 31, 2020, with an option to request an extension, if needed.

WIC participants may now choose from expanded options in a variety of food categories to help address WIC product shortages that have occurred because of food distribution issues. WIC participants may substitute Jif, Skippy and Peter Pan peanut butters in the same size; substitute medium eggs if large eggs are not available; and purchase quarts and gallons of the same variety of milk to total the number of gallons on their checks. The WIC state agency will decrease the maximum quantity printed on checks to allow WIC customers to purchase smaller quantities of food items from multiple retailers for up to the full amount of their food prescription. The WIC program is considering other product list expansions at this time to be effective throughout May 31, 2020, unless extended. Per WIC requirements, retailers must allow WIC participants to purchase the full amount of items on their check, if available in the store, and should not be held to quantity limitations. WIC participants may also inquire about the possibility of ordering formula from an authorized pharmacy for later pick-up within the same month if formula is not available in their immediate area.

Pregnant women, new mothers, and families with children from birth through their fifth birthday can learn more about qualifying and enrolling in the Missouri WIC program by visiting the Missouri WIC website at wic.mo.gov to locate their local agency’s phone number, or by calling 1-800-TEL-LINK (1-800-835-5465). Contact the local agency to find out about program changes due to COVID-19, or if an appointment by phone is needed due to illness or quarantine.

Morgan County Health Center WIC   573-378-5438  EXT 1015 or EXT 1009

Did you know that you can do you WIC nutrition education ONLINE? 

Go to www.WIChealth.org and follow the easy steps to complete. 

If you have any questions call 1-855-411-0233

2020 marks the rollout of eWIC! The State of Missouri is excited to make the transition from WIC checks to the eWIC card!

The WIC program is for women who are pregnant, breast-feeding, or post-partum.  It also includes infants and children until the age of five. WIC is a federally-funded program governed by the USDA and managed by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

In your appointments, we provide nutrition education, health tracking, and health referrals. At each appointment we will discuss important nutritional needs based on your stage of life. We also track growth and obtain iron levels to check for iron deficiency (anemia). We provide health referrals to ensure our participants are seen by other health professionals such as doctors, dentists and specialists. 

To be eligible for WIC, you must meet the WIC income guidelines, or have adjunt eligibilty by being on Medicaid, Food Stamps or TANF. 

During certification visits, the WIC staff will check to see if you or your child is still eligible based on age and income criteria.  You  will need to bring:

• Proof of identification (birth certificate, hospital records, or ID)
• Proof of your income (Medicaid card, paycheck stubs, or last years tax return)
• Proof of your address (Bills or lease agreement)
• Shot record for your child

As long as you meet the income and nutrition guidelines, you can stay on WIC during pregnancy or breastfeeding until one year after your baby is born.  If you decide not to breastfeed, then you may stay on WIC until six months after your baby is born or your pregnancy is ended.  Infants and children may stay on WIC  until they reach their fifth birthday.

WIC provides you with paper vouchers to buy foods specific to your age category. These foods are specific in type, brand, and amount to meet specific nutritional criteria for your stage of life. Foods for women and children include: cereal, bread, tortillas, rice, peanut butter, milk, cheese, yogurt, eggs, beans, juice,  and fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables. Infants receive breastmilk from their moms or formula and at six months receive infant cereal, baby fruits and vegetables. 

Please try to keep your WIC appointments.  If you can't keep an appointment, please call us right away.  The WIC staff works hard to see you at your appointment time, so please try your best to be on time.  Please be sure to bring the information that our staff needs or call if you are unsure of what to bring.  Also inform them about any changes in your name, address, or phone number.  If you are going to move, please notify us!

Always take your WIC ID Folder to your appointments and to the store.  Take your WIC Approved Food List with you to the store to help you shop.  Buy the right foods and the right amounts with your checks.  These foods must be used for you and your family. They can't be returned to the store for money or given away or sold to someone else.

Before you go shopping tear off the checks you will be using.  Be sure to choose only the foods that are on your WIC check.  Seperate your WIC foods from other foods you are buying, and tell the cashier that you are using a WIC check for those foods.  Wait to sign your check until the cashier enters the purchase price, not before!  The cashier will then check your signature against the one on your WIC ID folder, so be sure to bring it with you.  If you get three months of checks, be sure to use the current month's of checks. 

Contact Nancy at 573-378-5438 ext. 1015

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.