The Virginia WIC program is a joint initiative by the US federal government and the state of Virginia that provides nutritious foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support and healthcare referrals to Women, Infants and Children in the state of Virginia. This program targets the following categories of low-income individuals:

• Pregnant women
• Postpartum women
• Breastfeeding women
• Infants
• Children up to five years of age

In order to qualify for the Virginia WIC program, you must meet a specified set of eligibility requirements. These eligibility requirements are mainly categorical, residential and income based. You should also be examined and proven to be nutritionally at risk by a healthcare professional, this test is done free of charge at your local WIC clinic.

Applying for the Virginia WIC program is a fairly easy process, all you need to do is fill out an application and schedule an appointment at your nearest Virginia WIC clinic. During the appointment you will be subjected to a nutritionl examination and will be interviewed by a program representative who will verify your documents and ask you questions directed at establishing your eligibility to the program.

Upon successful completion of the application process you will start receiving the benefits of the program which include:

• Free monthly nutritional food supply
• Free nutrition education
• Free breastfeeding support
• Free health care referrals, and
• Free medical services such as screening and vaccinations

An important component of the Virginia WIC program is its breastfeeding support program. This service which is provided through the Virginia Department of Health, Division of Community Nutrition is committed to:

• Establishing breastfeeding as the preferred infant feeding method
• Providing a positive and conducive health care setting environment for breastfeeding
• Providing information on the health benefits of breast feeding
• Providing breastfeeding support through an established network of breastfeeding peer counselors

More information on the Virginia WIC breastfeeding support program, can be found by clicking here.

Eligibility Requirements

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

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

Categorical Eligibility

In order to qualify for the Virginia WIC program, you must belong to any of the three categories of women, Infants or children. Additionally, you must meet the individual categorical eligibility requirements which are highlighted below:

Women

In order to qualify for the Virginia WIC program, women need to be:

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

Infants

Up to their 1st birthday

Children

Up to their 5th birthday

Residential Eligibility Requirements

In order to qualify for the Virginia WIC program, applicants must be residents of the state of Virginia. Additionally they should be US citizens or legal aliens who have resided in the state for at least five years.

Income Eligibility Requirements

In order to qualify for the Virginia WIC program, you need to meet a set of income eligibility requirements. These requirements are based on an applicant's gross income and are available by clicking on the following link.

Proof of Nutritional Risk

In order to be considered for the Virginia WIC program, applicants need to be medically tested by a healthcare professional and proven to be at nutritional risk. This tests are provided free of charge at the local Virginia WIC clinic.

WIC Application Instructions

Applying for the Virginia WIC program is a fairly easy process. All you need to do is to contact your nearest Virginia WIC local office and set up an appointment. A list of Virginia WIC local offices and their respective contact information is available by clicking here. You will meet a program representative who will schedule an interview and provide you with a list of documents you are supposed to bring to the interview.

On the day of the interview you should remember to carry all the required documents. You will be subjected to a nutritional examination, after which the program representative will verify your documents and ask you questions that will help them establish your eligibility to the program.

Upon successful completion of the application process, you will start enjoying the benefits of the program.

For more information about the Virginia WIC Program you can call the Virginia department of health, through the following toll free number: 1-888-942-3663