How To Apply For WIC In Michigan
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 Michigan 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 Michigan, then read the information provided below.
How Do I Apply For Michigan WIC?
Just contact your nearest WIC agency or call 1-800-26-BIRTH or 1-800-262-4784. For information about your local WIC agency and how to apply.
Who is eligible for Michigan WIC benefits?
Applicants must meet all of the following 4 criteria:
1. Fall into one of the following categories:
- Pregnant Women
- Breastfeeding Women up to 1 year from delivery
- Postpartum Women up to 6 months from delivery
- Infants
- Children up to their 5th birthday
2. Resident of the state of Michigan. U.S. Citizenship is not required
3. Income eligible (at or below 185% of Federal Poverty Guidelines or on Medicaid or food stamps)
4. Determined by WIC clinic staff to be at nutrition and/or health risk. Some typical health risks are: low blood iron or anemia; too much or too little weight gain (for pregnant women and children), poor diet, chronic disease, and developmental disabilities.
What must an applicant bring to an appointment?
- Proof of income or Medicaid Card
- Proof of identification for the applicant (drivers license, birth certificate)
- Proof of applicant's address
- Proof of pregnancy, if available (for Pregnant Women)
- Immunization record (for children)
Applicant should contact the local WIC office for more specific information.
What happens when someone applies for Michigan WIC benefits?
- Review of income, residency, and identity
- Review of health and medical history
- Review of usual dietary intake and eating patterns
- Review of immunization record (children only)
- Height & weight measurements taken
- Hemoglobin test performed (over 6 months of age)
- Meet with health professional for determination of eligibility for program
- Discuss foods that will be received from WIC
- Learn nutrition & health information applicable for participant
- Learn about other helpful services & resources in the community
- Learn about how to use the WIC coupons
- Make next appointment to pickup benefits and receive additional nutrition education
The initial appointment can take from 1-2 hours. The other appointments during the certification period usually take 30 minutes to 1 hour. Depending on the individual, the next appointment may be in 1, 2 or 3 months.
How long is someone certified for the program?
Depending on their WIC category, participants are certified for a specific length of time. At the end of the certification period, participants can repeat the certification process to be recertified. The general certification periods by WIC category are:
- Pregnant women are certified up to 6 weeks past their estimated date of delivery
- Breastfeeding women are certified for up to 1 year from date of delivery as long as they continue to breastfeed
- Postpartum women are certified for 6 months from the date of delivery
- Infants added prior to 6 months of age are certified up to their first birthday
- Children and infants added after 6 months of age are certified for 6 months
WIC Income Guidelines
| Family Size* | Hourly 2080 Hours | Weekly 52 weeks | Biweekly 26 weeks | Monthly12 months | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $10.46 | $419 | $838 | $1,815 | $21,775 |
| 2 | $14.16 | $567 | $1,134 | $2,456 | $29,471 |
| 3 | $17.86 | $715 | $1,430 | $3,098 | $37,167 |
| 4 | $21.56 | $863 | $1,726 | $3,739 | $44,863 |
| 5 | $25.26 | $1,011 | $2,022 | $4,380 | $52,559 |
| 6 | $28.96 | $1,159 | $2,318 | $5,022 | $60,255 |
| 7 | $32.66 | $1,307 | $2,614 | $5,663 | $67,951 |
| 8 | $36.36 | $1,455 | $2,910 | $6,304 | $75,647 |
| 9 | $40.06 | $1,603 | $3,206 | $6,946 | $83,343 |
| 10 | $43.76 | $1,751 | $3,502 | $7,587 | $91,039 |
| 11 | $47.46 | $1,899 | $3,798 | $8,228 | $98,735 |
| 12 | $51.16 | $2,047 | $4,094 | $8,870 | $106,431 |
| 13 | $54.86 | $2,195 | $4,390 | $9,511 | $114,127 |
| 14 | $58.56 | $2,343 | $4,686 | $10,152 | $121,823 |
| 15 | $62.26 | $2,491 | $4,982 | $10,794 | $129,519 |
| 16 | $65.96 | $2,639 | $5,278 | $11,435 | $137,215 |
*Pregnant woman is counted as one + the number of Infants expected when determining income eligibility for the Total Economic Unit