Missouri WIC provides nutritious foods, education and support, and referral services for low-income women, infants, and children. These residents of Missouri will receive healthy supply of food as the focus of the program lies on providing nutrient-rich food to certain residents of Missouri. The program also ensures that women adopt a healthy lifestyle so that they can bring up their kids in a healthy environment.

Missouri WIC also encourages mothers to breastfeed their babies. Breastfeed is healthy and contains all the necessary nutrients that an infant needs. The program encourages mothers to continue with breastfeed since its cheap compared to buying formula milk. Breastfeed makes mother and child strong, helping through critical phase of growth. Children fed through mother's milk tend to grow strong and have higher ability to fight disease compared to those fed on formula. Participating mothers will also receive advice and guidance so that they can continue to breastfeed their babies. They will also receive equipment to help them with breastfeeding. Such equipment may include breast pumps and nipple caps.

Missouri WIC participants will receive food prescriptions that can be used to buy food items. Participants can buy whole grain products, milk, cheese, peanut butter, fruits, fruit juices, vegetables, cereals, eggs, and many other food items that fall within permitted food category of WIC program. Infants can receive iron-fortified formula if they are not on breastfeed. Breastfeeding mothers get tuna and carrots to consume necessary food nutrients. You can find detailed list of permitted foods by clicking here.

Applicants will have to meet income and medical guidelines in order to receive WIC benefits. Income guidelines require household income to be 185% below Federal Poverty Line (FPL) while medical requirements mean the applicant should be on nutrition risk.

Eligibility Requirements

Missouri WIC targets women, infants and children so that they can receive necessary nutrients and education through critical period of growth and development. The program is only available to the following :

• Pregnant women
• Breastfeeding women
• Postpartum women
• Infants under the age of 1 year
• Children under the age of 5 years

Additionally, applicants will have to be:

• Residents of Missouri
• At nutritional risk
• Low income so that they meet income guidelines for WIC program. You can find income guidelines by clicking here.

WIC Application Instructions

In order to apply for WIC in Missouri, you will have to get an appointment from WIC office. You can easily find an office near you by clicking here.

What to do next?

After you have booked an appointment, visit your local WIC clinic for screening eligibility that determines whether you can receive program benefits or not.

When visiting WIC clinic for screening eligibility and interview, make sure that you are bringing all the important documents with you. You will need proof of identity, proof of residence, and proof of income in order to clear screening. If you don't take the necessary documents with you, you may have to reschedule your appointment, which will mean unnecessary delay in getting your WIC benefits.