More local families may be eligible for WIC in Alabama.

The special supplemental nutrition program – Women, Infants and Children – has a new federal poverty guideline for 2017, according to the Alabama Department of Public Health.

If you are a woman who is pregnant, just had a baby within the past six months, who is breastfeeding or who is the parent of guardian of a child up to age 5, you are encouraged to apply for WIC at the Covington County Health Department.

Under the 2017 federal poverty guidelines, more families may be eligible for the program.

WIC is open to participants with incomes up to 185 percent of the federal poverty level.

That means that a family of one with a weekly income of $430 or less can qualify.

A two-person family making $578 or less qualifies; a three-person family making $727 or less a week qualifies; a four-person family making $876 or less a week qualifies; and a five-person family making $1,024 a week qualifies.

WIC participants must have a limited income and nutritional need.

Families who receive Medicaid, SNAP, formerly known as Food Stamps, or Family Assistance, formerly known as TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) already meet the income qualifications for WIC. Even families who do not qualify for these programs may be eligible for WIC because of its higher income limits.
“WIC encourages families to choose healthy foods. Healthy foods help children grow to be healthy adults and pregnant women to have healthy babies,” said Amanda Martin, WIC director.

For more information, visit adph.org/wic or call 1-888-942-4673.