WIC Program Information

Who is eligible for WIC?
How to apply
WIC foods
WIC income guidelines
What to bring to your appointment
Where do I shop?

Who is eligible?

You or your children are eligible if you:

* Live in Nebraska

* Are a pregnant, postpartum or breastfeeding woman, infant or a child under 5 years of age.

* Have a nutritional risk.  Risk factors include anemia, high risk pregnancy, abnormal growth or poor dietary intakes.

* Have a gross household income that falls within Federal WIC guidelines.  You are automatically income eligible if you currently receive Aid for Dependent Families, Kids Connection, Food Stamps or Medicaid.

How can I apply for WIC services?

To set up an appointment, call the North Platte WIC office.  In North Platte call (308-534-1678).  Our staff will tell you what information you need to bring to your first appointment.

WIC Foods:

• Milk
• Juice
• Eggs
• Infant Formula
• Whole Wheat Bread
• Fresh Fruits & Vegetables
• Dried/Canned Beans or Peas
• Cheese
• Peanut Butter
• Carrots*
• Tuna*
• Brown Rice
• Infant Cereal
• Infant Juice
• Cereal
• Baby Food
• Canned Salmon*

What are the Income Limits?

• All applicants to the Nebraska WIC Program must meet income guidelines for participation in the program.
• Income guidelines (same as for reduced priced school meals).

Number in Household:  To figure the number in your household, include all people who share their income, foods, and household expenses.  These people usually live together, but not always.  Members of a household do not have to be related but are counted if they share in the consumption of foods and services. 

For a pregnant woman, each unborn infant counts as 1 extra person in the household size.

Income means: gross income before taxes and decuctions.

What to bring to the WIC certification visit:

• Bring EACH family member who is applying to receive WIC services.
• Bring proof of ALL income for everyone in the household (before taxes and deductions are taken out).  Income includes such things as: salaries, child support and alimony, foster care payments, interest withdrawn, unemployment compensation, and military earnings; OR, if you receive Medicaid, Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA), or Food Stamps, you are income eligible for WIC.  (If you do not receive Medicaid or TCA, but other members of your household receive these benefits, you may be income-eligible for WIC).  WIC staff can verify your enrollment in these programs.  However, it is helpful to bring the current Notice of Case Action letter, which is proof of eligibility for one or more of these programs.
• Bring ONE proof of where you live (no P.O. boxes).  The document must be current and show your name and address.  Items that are allowed include a utility bill, bank/insurance statement, or driver's license.  You must be currently living in Nebraska, but you don't have to be a U.S. citizen.
• Bring ONE proof of identification for you and ONE proof of identification for any infant or child applying for WIC, such as a birth certificate, driver's license, crib card, military ID, photo ID, Social Security Card, or hospital record.
• Bring the Social Security Number for each person applying for WIC, if available.
• Bring the immunization (shot) record for each child.

At your appointment, a WIC nutritionist and nurse will review your health hisotry and identify a food plan for you.

Where do I shop?

Shop only at Nebraska WIC approved stores.  Watch for this label on the grocery shelves to help identify the foods that are WIC eligible.  Nebraska WIC approved stores will display a poster that says "WIC CHECKS ACCEPTED HERE".  Your local WIC Agency will have a list of WIC Approved Stores.  You may cash your WIC checks at any Nebraska WIC approved stores in Nebraska.