The Massachusetts WIC is a program that aims to promote good health in women, infants and children in the state of Massachusetts, though the provision of the following services:

• Free monthly checks to buy nutritious foods
• Personalized nutrition education and counseling
• Free healthcare referrals
• Breastfeeding support
• Free immunization services
• Free health screening

The Massachusetts WIC program targets low-income women who are pregnant, postpartum and/or breastfeeding, and infants and children up to the age of five. Since its introduction the program has helped promote the long term health of mothers and their children through the implementation of structured nutritional plans.

In order to qualify for the Massachusetts WIC, you need to meet a set of eligibility requirements. These eligibility requirements are mainly categorical, income and residential in nature. Applicants to the Massachusetts WIC must be examined by a healthcare professional and proven to be at nutritional risk.

If you meet the basic eligibility requirements, you should go ahead and apply for the Massachusetts WIC program. Applying for the program is an easy two-step process that involves scheduling and attending an interview administered by a Massachusetts WIC program representative. Upon successful completion of the process you will start enjoying the benefits of the program.

Participants of the Massachusetts WIC program are issued with a Massachusetts "gold card" through which they can conveniently access the program benefits. It should however be noted that the benefits cannot be used to purchase alcoholic drinks, cigarettes , pet food and other products that are not listed in the food and formula guides available on the following link

Eligibility Requirements

In order to qualify for the Massachusetts WIC, you need to meet a specified set of eligibility requirements. These eligibility requirements are broadly divided into:

• Categorical eligibility requirements
• Income eligibility requirements
• Residential eligibility requirements, and
• Proof of nutritional risk

Massachusetts WIC-Categorical Eligibility Requirements

Applicants to the Massachusetts WIC program should belong to one of the three groups of women, infants and children. Additionally, they need to meet the individual categorical eligibility requirements highlighted below:

Women

Women applying for the Massachusetts WIC program should be:

• Undergoing pregnancy, or within 6 weeks after the delivery of an infant
• Breastfeeding up to the infants first birthday
• Postpartum

Infants

Infants qualify for the Massachusetts WIC program, a child is considered an infant if he or she is below one year old.

Children

Children should be under six years of age.

Massachusetts WIC -Income Eligibility Requirements

Applicants to the Massachusetts WIC program must meet a set of income eligibility requirements. These income eligibility requirements are based on the household income and household size and are available on the following link (Massachusetts WIC income eligibility guidelines).

Massachusetts WIC-Residential Eligibility Requirements

Applicants to the Massachusetts WIC program should be residents of the state of Massachusetts. They should also be US nationals or registered legal aliens.

Massachusetts WIC- Proof of Nutritional Risk

Applicants to the Massachusetts WIC program need to be examined by a health care professional and proven to be at nutritional risk. This service is offered free of charge at your local Massachusetts WIC clinic available on the following link (Massachusetts WIC list of local offices).

WIC Application Instructions

If you meet the basic eligibility requirements for the Massachusetts WIC program you should go ahead and apply for participation in the program. All you need to do is to contact your local Massachusetts WIC office available on this link (Local Massachusetts WIC offices) and book an appointment for an interview. You can also locate your local WIC office by calling this number: 1-800-WIC-1007.

During the appointment you should remember to carry important documents like proof of household income, proof of residence, and proof of identity as specified by the Massachusetts WIC program representative. You will be examined for nutritional risk factors, after which the Massachusetts WIC staff interviewing you will verify your documents and ask you questions aimed at establishing your eligibility status.

Upon successful completion of the process you will be declared an official participant of the Massachusetts WIC program and will start enjoying the benefits of the program.