JACKSON, Wyo. — The Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) has announced changes to its income eligibility guidelines for the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program, which went into effect on April 1.
The joint federal and state government effort aims to bolster health for low-income women, infants and kids up to age 5 through supplemental food packages, health screenings, nutrition counseling and education, breastfeeding support and social services referrals. As of April 1, a family of four making less than $5,088 per month can qualify for WIC access.
“Income guidelines are adjusted each year by the federal government, and the new guidelines may allow a few more families to qualify for our program,” WIC Unit Manager Tina Fearneyhough said in the WDH statement.
To qualify for the WIC program, an individual must be a Wyoming resident meeting one of the following descriptors: infants/children under age 5; people currently pregnant or pregnant within the last six months; or people currently breastfeeding a baby.
People already receiving benefits from Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program (TANF) and/or Wyoming Medicaid automatically meet WIC’s income requirements, per WDH. Now, kids participating in KidCare CHIP are automatically eligible for the program, too. See more about WIC eligibility here.
In addition to the eligibility changes, WDH announced that new digital tools make the WIC application and access “easier for busy Wyoming families.” The new, secure Online Participant Portal allows users to apply for WIC, check and rescheduled appointments, communicate with WIC staff and upload eligibility documents.
