The purpose of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is to promote and maintain the health and wellbeing of nutritionally at-risk pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, infants, and children. WIC provides supplemental nutrition foods, nutrition and breastfeeding information, and referral to other health and nutrition services. WIC promotes and supports breastfeeding.

Who is eligible for WIC? To be eligible for WIC in Missouri, you must meet the following requirements:

·       Be pregnant, postpartum up to 6 months or a breastfeeding mother

·       Be an infant or child up to age five

·       Be a resident of Missouri

·       Be income eligible or receive Medicaid and/or MC+

o   Click here to see the income guidelines

Have a nutritional need? How do you participate in WIC? Click here to find out more information https://health.mo.gov/living/families/wic/ 

In October of 2019 the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services transitioned to an EBT, electronic benefit transfer, system. This transition to EBT, referred to as eWIC, created an easier shopping experience. WIC families will be able to purchase products over multiple trips to the store rather than purchasing everything at one time during the month.

More about eWIC:

-       An eWIC card holds WIC benefits that the participant can use at the grocery store.

-       The eWIC card has the ability to hold 3 months’ worth of benefits. Unused benefits will expire in the same way they did with the previous check system. Participants will still have to return to the WIC clinic to receive additional benefits.

-       All family members on WIC in the same household will have their benefits on one card, however foster children will receive their own cards.

-       The process of using the eWIC card will be similar to a debit or credit card at the grocery store, once the card is inserted into the card reader, the eligible items will be deducted from the balance of the benefits package. Unused benefits will stay on the card and expire at the end of the month.

-       Missouri eWIC cards can only be used at stores displaying the Missouri eWIC Authorized Retailer decal.

 

For more information about the WIC program, contact the Mississippi County Health Department online or call 573-649-5502 or 573-683-2191.

To sign up for the program, visit of office in Charleston or East Prairie or click here

 

Kristi Crosier – WIC Coordinator/ Nutritionist

Reva Jones – WIC Certifier

https://health.mo.gov/living/families/wic/frauddatalinks/nondiscrimination/