Minnesota WIC (Women, Infants and Children) Program provides pregnant women, new mothers and young children with nutrition information, health services and access to wholesome foods. Low-income women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or recently had a baby are eligible to apply for this program. Infants too are can join the program until they reach their first birthday. Children below five years of age are also eligible.

Minnesota WIC Beneficiaries receive:

• Breastfeeding information
• Wholesome foods like eggs, milk, Cereal, juice and cheese
• Information on Nutrition and health
• Social services and health referrals
• Iron fortified formula to infants who are not breastfeeding

The Minnesota WIC Program in compliance with Federal Regulations has a contract for iron-fortified milk and soy-based infant formula. This program rolled in October 1st 2012, they have a contract with Similac Advance (blue can), Similac Sensitive (orange can) and Gerber Good Start Soy (blue can).

Eligibility Requirements

You may start by going through the eligibility criteria on this website to see if you qualify: www.health.state.mn.us/divs/fh/wic/aboutwic/.

• You must be a resident of Minnesota
• You should apply for WIC services in the county where you live
• U.S. citizenship is not a requirement when applying for WIC in Minnesota
• To be eligible, you must have either a nutritional or medical need. This has to be verified by a qualified Medic during your WIC appointment.

Nutritional Need: Your child has nutritional needs if he/she has; poor eating habits, not getting enough of important nutrients such as iron, proteins & calcium. Your child has medical needs when he/she has anemia, obese, low weight, or if you have a history of low birth weight or premature babies.

You must meet the income guide lines listed in the table below:

Number of Household Members	Annual Income
1	$20,665
2	$27,991
3	$35,317
4	$42,643
5	$49,969
6	$57,295
7	$64,621
8	$71,947
More than 8	$7,326 per each additional family member

Please Note: Minnesota WIC bases your income on your household's gross income. It also includes people who are living together and share income and all household expenses such as food, bills etc. (bills, food, etc.). In Minnesota WIC considers an expectant mother as two family members.

If household has a pregnant woman, a woman who has recently had a baby, or a child up to the age of five your family but does not meet the income guidelines detailed in this table above, you may be Presumptively Income Eligible. See the following website: www.health.state.mn.us/divs/fh/wic/aboutwic/.

Presumptive Income Eligibility:

If your family meets all of the following criteria, your family may be presumptively income eligible for the WIC Program.

• No one in your family is receiving benefits from any of the adjunctive income eligible programs right now (MA, MN Care, MFIP, Headstart, Food Stamps, SSI, Fuel Assistance or Free or Reduced School Lunches).
  
• Your household includes a pregnant woman, a woman who has recently had a baby, or a child up to the age of 5.
  
• You are willing to apply for a Minnesota Health Care Program.

Families that are found to be presumptively income eligible can receive WIC benefits for three months. After three months, proof of current eligibility, or a pending application, for a Minnesota Health Care Program must be provided to continue receiving WIC benefits.

You may also visit this form for more eligibility details.

WIC Application Instructions

Who can apply for the WIC Program?

• Pregnant women
• Parents with an infant, or child under the age of 5
• Foster parent(s) or guardian(s) with an infant, or child under age 5
• You must live in Minnesota and be income-eligible for the program
• You must have a medical or nutritional need to be eligible for WIC
• You do not need to be a U.S. citizen to be on WIC

Application Procedure

Unlike other programs, Minnesota WIC cannot be applied online. You have to call the Minnesota State WIC Office at 1-800-657-3942 or 1-651-201-4404 and schedule an appointment to discuss your case. You can also visit this site to be guided through the eligibility screening.

You must to take your infant or child with you to your WIC certification appointment.

Documentation Required during the Interview:

• Identification documents
• Proof of residential address
• Proof of participation in at least one assistance program, and/or proof of your income
• If your child has been to the doctor recently, bring this information as well