Category: Announcements || By Submitted Report

The Allegheny County Health Department said that higher income limits for the Women, Infants and Children Supplemental Food Program took effect on July 1.

The income limits, based on family size, will increase by 1.9% to 2.8% and allow more families to qualify. As of May 31, WIC served about 16,000 individuals and has funding to enroll an additional 2,000.

Acting Health Director Dr. Ron Voorhees said WIC isn't just for families on public assistance. Eligibility is based on both income and medical or nutritional risk, but the income limits allow benefits for many working families with modest incomes.

. . .

The new limits are an annual gross income of $21,257 for a family of one; $28,694 for 2; $36,131 for 3; $43,568 for 4; $51,005 for 5; $58,442 for 6; $65,879 for 7; and $73,316 for a family of 8, plus $7,437 for each additional member beyond 8. Unborn children are counted when the woman is pregnant.

WIC is a federally funded program for income- and medically-eligible pregnant women, postpartum mothers, breastfeeding mothers, and children under the age of five.

WIC families receive nutrition counseling, breastfeeding support and food vouchers redeemable at participating grocery stores for infant formula; infant cereal; milk; eggs; cheese; juice; cereal; peanut butter; whole grains, including bread, tortillas, oatmeal and rice; soy milk; tofu; jarred baby foods; dry or canned beans; canned tuna/sardines/pink salmon; and fresh/frozen/canned fruits and vegetables.

Additional vouchers are available during the summer to purchase fresh Pennsylvania-grown produce at participating Farmers Markets and Farm Stands.

For information about WIC and how to apply for benefits, call the Allegheny County Health Department WIC Program at (412) 350-5801 or visit www.achd.net/wic.