Growing Happy, Healthy, Successful Families
Our office in Mount Vernon is open daily for walk ins. Most WIC services are available by telephone. WIC Farmers Market benefits will be available in June.
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
Why is WIC a good idea?
- WIC is this nation’s most successful and cost-effective public health nutrition program.
- WIC serves over half of all infants born in the US. More than half born in Skagit County.
- WIC children start school with improved ability to learn.
- WIC families are connected to local resources.
- The WIC staff are flexible with appointment space and family’s needs.
What are WIC Benefits?
- Nutrition tips for a healthy pregnancy and for feeding young children
- Breastfeeding tips, support and breast pumps
- Ability to purchase approximately $100 of healthy foods a month with an easy to use EBT style card.
- Lots of referrals based on individual goals
- Confidence that you are doing your best by your family and have ideas for finding help
- Access to on-site assistance with Apple Health insurance and Food Stamps
- Often WIC has some clothing, supplies, and diapers to assist families (not associated with diaper bank).
- Connection to WIC Family liaison for home visits to assist with family needs
Who can receive WIC?
Unfortunately, even though the guidelines are quite generous, not everyone can receive WIC at this time. Income for WIC participation is set by the Federal Government and the State of Washington. Income guidelines change every April. Approximately 60% of babies born in Skagit County are WIC eligible. Washington WIC doesn’t discriminate. Getting WIC doesn’t affect immigration status. Please see income guidelines and exceptions below.
WIC Caregivers can be anyone caring for a WIC client.
WIC clients must be in one of the following categories:
- Persons who are pregnant
- Persons who are post-partum (0-6 months), including those who have experience any kind of pregnancy loss or termination.
- Persons who are breastfeeding an infant up to the age of 1.
- Infants, including foster infants
- Children up to age 5 years, including foster children and children being cared for by others
Note: An infant or child can be living with biological parents, adoptive parents, separated parents, single parents, or anyone caring for a child or infant such as a grandparent, relative, or friend.
Can men recieve WIC?
We encourage male caregivers, husbands and partners to participate in WIC appointments. We have lots of males caring for children and bringing them to WIC, including Dads, Grandfathers, Uncles, and Foster Dads.
Income Guidlines
Unfortunately, even though the guidelines are quite generous, not everyone can receive WIC at this time. Income for WIC participation is set by the Federal Government and the State of Washington. WIC applicants must have income at or below 185% the federal poverty guideline (see chart below). Certain applicants can be determined income-eligible for WIC based on their participation in certain programs. These included are individuals that are eligible to receive SNAP benefits, people enrolled in some Apple Health programs, or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) participants. Income guidelines change every April. Approximately 60% of babies born in Skagit County are WIC eligible.
WIC considers total gross income before deductions for all household members.
Examples of income include employment, military pay, public assistance TANF, unemployment, L&I, social security, child support paid to you and any incidental income.
May 2023 Income Guidelines:
Family Size | Monthly Gross Income* |
---|---|
2 | $3152 |
3 | $3,981 |
4 | $4,810 |
5 | $5,640 |
6+ | Contact us! |
Notes on income:
- Unborn baby counts as a family member.
- If family is on a “qualifying” program, they may be eligible regardless of actual income. Qualifying programs include Medicaid (some forms of Apple Health/Provider One) and Food stamps.
- Military housing allowance does NOT count toward total income.
- Please stop by to discuss exceptions to income limits.
How do I make an appointment?
If it is convenient for you, the best way to make your FIRST WIC appointment is to stop by the office to discuss eligibility and income in person. But we are happy to discuss on the phone also. Unfortunately, there is no way at this time to do the application online.
For rescheduling appointments, the reception desk in Mount Vernon is staffed full time.
Who will I meet at WIC offices?
Nutrition Educators conduct most of the regular WIC appointments.
Registered Dietitians/Nutritionists are available to do follow up appointments and are available for anyone interested in more nutrition information or with eating/feeding issues.
Breastfeeding Peer Counselors meet with pregnant women and breastfeeding women to encourage and support goals around breastfeeding
Our Lactation Consultant is internationally board certified (IBCLC) to provide special help regarding breastfeeding.
Languages spoken by current staff members include: English, Spanish, Mixteco, Ukrainian, and Russian. WIC also has access to a language line for other languages.
What happens at an appointment?
WIC visits occur every 1-3 months and are individualized to your family. Some appointments during the year will involve measurement of height and weight and iron screening. We review your health and nutrition status. WIC staff are able to offer your family ideas for meeting your nutrition and breastfeeding goals and referrals to helpful programs.
What do I need to bring to an appointment?
For a new participant appointment:
- Proof of ID for that person (see proofs below)
- Proof of income for family (see proofs below)
- Proof of residence in Washington State
- If proof does not exist ask WIC about the no proof form.
A few notes about proofs:
- An active Apple Health insurance card Provider One number may often be used for proof of ID and income and residence. About 80% of our clients use Provider One for “proofs.”
- If proofs are not currently available, it is possible to have a grace period of one month.
- If you have any questions or concerns; please come to appointment and discuss with staff. There are many more rules and allowances than it is possible to mention here.
Suggested Proofs:
- Proofs of ID: birth certificate, Social Security card, Driver’s license or WA ID, school card, immunization record and for new babies, any papers documenting the birth.
- Proofs of income: Pay stubs for the past 30 days for all earners in the family, Military Leave and Earning statements, Award letter for TANF or SNAP (food stamps).
- Proofs for residency: postmarked envelope or other document with your street address (not PO box), Driver’s license.
Breastfeeding
Community Action’s WIC Program provides education, encouragement, and breastfeeding support to mothers. Trained Breastfeeding Peer Counselors talk with parents in the office, by phone, or text and are available by cell phone outside of normal business hours.
WIC provides a breastfeeding class monthly for pregnant women to get off to a great start.
Our IBCLC lactation consultant is available for appointments 3 days a week, for any mom who has questions or concerns.
We have hospital grade breast pumps for moms who need them. We also have manual breast pumps and other breastfeeding aids.
Breastfeeding Resources
Parent Resources
- Apple Health for Children
- Apple Health for Pregnancy
- Department of Social and Health Services (basic food, TANF, child support, etc.)
- Family Planning- Mount Baker Planned Parenthood: (877) 714-1149
- Help Me Grow Skagit (for local services and programs). English & Spanish. Text or call (360) 630-8352
- Help Me Grow WA (developmental screenings)
- Parent Help 123 (resources in Washington)
- Perinatal Mental Health Support Washington: 1 (888) 404-7763
- Pregnancy Connections Nurse. English & Spanish. Text or call: (360) 770-7743
- Skagit Family Resource Center (Basic needs items). English & Spanish. Text or call: (360) 230-9129
- Skagit Preschool and Resource Center- SPARC (any developmental worries). English & Spanish. Call (360) 416-7570
- WICShopper App– The WICShopper app helps simplify shopping for your WIC foods
WIC Mount Vernon
WIC Anacortes Clinic
WIC Naval Air Station Whidbey Island
Testimonials
I like the employees, they are always nice and welcoming
What I like about the WIC program is that they assist with help depending on what you need and they give you tips on the baby
The help they bring to find more resources in the community
Good resource for help with my toddler
I like speaking to other women about issues like parenting, nutrition, self-respect. How to care for myself and my kids or child checkups.
The respect, helpful advice and the family friendly environment
So helpful in many aspects, even areas they aren’t trained in