The Maine WIC Program provides supplemental foods, nutrition education and referrals to health care at no cost at all to low-income pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants, and children up to age of five years. Applicants must be determined to be at nutritional risk. To be fully eligible for the Maine WIC Program, applicants must be verified by a health professional to be at nutritional risk. Nutritional risk should either be medical-based or diet-based risk conditions.

Maine WIC Program is geared towards fighting anemia, low birth weight, infant deaths, childhood obesity and to generally improve the nutrition and health of its participants. It is a cost-effective public health program.

Maine WIC is open to anyone living in Maine, including migrants working in Maine.

Applicants may fall in any of the following categories: Pregnant women, breastfeeding or women who had a baby in the last six months. Detailed breastfeeding information can be found at www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/local-public-health/wic/families/families-breastfeeding.shtml

Infants and children up to the age of five years, including adopted and children under foster care.

Fathers left in charge of small children may apply.

Eligibility Requirements

Women living in Maine who are pregnant, breastfeeding, have had a baby within the past six months or have children up to age five may be eligible for the Women Infants and Children nutrition program. The Maine WIC program provides income eligible families with checks to purchase specific types healthy foods. These foods include:- dairy products, fruits and vegetables and infant formula.

Income Guidelines

For you to be eligible on the basis of income, your income must fall within the specified bracket which is at or below 185 % of the U.S. Poverty Income Guidelines (currently $42,643 for a family of four).

If you or other family members participate in other benefit programs e.g. the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid, or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, you automatically meet the income eligibility requirement.

Nutritional Risk

Two major types of nutrition risk are recognized for WIC eligibility. Medically-based risks such as anemia, underweight, overweight, history of pregnancy complications, or poor pregnancy outcomes. Nutritional risks, such as failure to meet the dietary guidelines or inappropriate nutrition practices. Nutrition risk is determined by a health professional such as a physician, nutritionist, or nurse, and is based on Federal guidelines. This nutrition assessment is free to program applicants.

In order for you to qualify for this benefit program, you must be a resident of the state of Maine; who is either, pregnant, breastfeeding and/or postpartum woman; an infant or child up to 5 years of age. Your health status must be determined by a health professional to be at nutrition risk. In order to qualify, you must also have an annual household income (before taxes) that is below the following amounts:

Household Size	Gross 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

For households with more than eight people, add $7,326 per additional person. A person who participates or has family members who participate in certain other benefit programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), automatically meets the income eligibility requirement.

WIC Application Instructions

In Main, WIC application can only be made in person. To apply, set up an appointment at the WIC clinic closest to you. Find a clinic near you by clicking here and locating the address on the right of the webpage. The first appointment should take less than two hours.

Required Documents

Proof of Income

• Pay stubs
• Military earning statements
• Pay statement from employer
• Child support agreement
• TANF statement or check stub
• MaineCare card
• Food Stamp Program enrollment or renewal letter

Proof of where you live

One of the following:

• Electric bill
• Piece of mail with your name and address on it
• Driver's license with your street address
• Rental agreement or mortgage paper with your name and address
• TANF statement, Maine Care card
• Food Stamp Program enrollment or renewal letter

Proof of identification for everyone applying for WIC.

One of the following:

• Driver's license
• School ID
• State of Maine ID card
• Employer ID card
• Birth certificate
• Hospital crib card
• Vaccination record

Program Contact Information

For more information on Maine WIC, please visit http://www.state.me.us/dhs/wic/

If you have questions about the MaineWIC program call the Maine WIC program office toll-free at: 800-437-9300. TTY users call: 800-438-5514