The West Virginia WIC program is a state and federal government sponsored program that seeks to promote proper nutrition in women, infants and children by providing nutritious foods, nutrition education, healthcare referrals, breastfeeding support and other social services to low-income pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women, infants and children below the age of 6. The program which is administered by the West Virginia Bureau of public health has helped reduce infant mortality, number of low-weight births and pregnancy complications in the state of West Virginia.

The main objective of the West Virginia WIC is to provide a link between good health and proper nutrition, by identifying and correcting any nutritional inadequacies which may lead to growth and development disorders among children.

In order to be eligible for the West Virginia WIC program applicants need to meet a specified set of eligibility requirements. These requirements are mainly based on the household income, residential status and other categorical requirements. Once you meet the basic eligibility requirements you should apply for the program by filling out an application form and by scheduling an interview with a West Virginia WIC program representative, who will determine your eligibility to the program by verifying your documents and asking you important questions.

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

• Nutrition counseling and education
• Free monthly nutritious foods supply
• Free health screening
• Breastfeeding support, and
• Free healthcare referrals

Eligibility Requirements

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

• Categorical eligibility requirements
• Income eligibility requirements
• Residential eligibility requirements, and
• Proof of nutrition risk eligibility requirement

West Virginia WIC Categorical Eligibility Requirements

To eligible for the West Virginia WIC program, one needs to belong in any of the three categories of women, infants and children and meet the specified eligibility requirements for each category. These eligibility requirements are highlighted below:

Women

Women applying for the West Virginia WIC program should be:

• Within 6 weeks of the birth of an infant or at the end of a pregnancy
• Postpartum
• Breastfeeding for the first year

Infants

Up to the infant's first birthday

Infants

Up to the infant's first birthday.

Children

Up to the child's fifth birthday.

West Virginia WIC- Residential Eligibility Requirements

In order to be eligible for the West Virginia WIC programs, applicants should be residents of the state of West Virginia. Additionally they should be US citizens or legal aliens.

West Virginia WIC-Income eligibility Requirement

In order to qualify for the West Virginia WIC program you need to meet a set of income eligibility requirements .basically for one to be income eligible for the West Virginia WIC program, they need to have an income that is below 185% of the federal poverty level. The West Virginia income eligibility chart is available on the following link: www.wvdhhr.org/Participant/IncomeGuidelines (West Virginia Income Eligibility chart)

West Virginia WIC- Nutrition Risk Eligibility Requirement

In order to be eligible for the program, applicants must be medically examined by a healthcare professional and proven to be nutritionally at risk. Cases of nutrition risk include: low iron levels, premature delivery and inadequate dietary intake.

WIC Application Instructions

Applying for the West Virginia WIC program is a fairly easy process that can either be done online or in person. To apply online, all you need to do is fill out an online application form available on this link: www.wvdhhr.org/Applicant (West Virginia WIC online application form)

Once you have filled and submitted the form, you will be contacted by a program representative who will schedule an interview with you. Before going to the interview you should remember to carry important verification documents such as income statement, identification documents and proof of residence.

During the interview you will be subjected to a medical examination which is done free of charge, the program representative will then proceed to verify important documents and ask you questions directed at establishing your eligibility to the program.

Upon successful completion of the process you will be notified of whether you have qualified or not qualified for the program. If you have qualified for the program, you will start receiving the program benefits within 30 days from the time you submitted your application.

You can use the contact information available on this link: www.wvdhhr.org/ (West Virginia WIC Important contact Information), to seek more information on the West Virginia WIC Program.