Things to know about WIC?

Question

Im going to my first wic appointment next week and I’m 29 weeks pregnant. I didn’t want to have to depend on the government but sometimes it comes down to that. Especially since I will not be getting paid maternity leave. My sister told me to tell them I’m not breastfeeding so I get more benefits.... I do plan to breastfeed (if my body allows) and was wondering if this was even accurate?? Wouldn’t a breastfeeding mother need more nutrients for her growing baby and supply? Also was wondering if they will ask my husbands income? They only told me to bring “proof of income”. With mine and my husbands checks together we make enough to get by. I don’t receive food stamps or Medicaid or any other government assistance but want to make sure that while I’m out of work (the plan is 4-5 months) I will be able to get the nutrients to keep up with my supply. With just his check, we will barely be able to make ends meet. How did your appointment go and what are some things I should know? Also, what did you get and what did you use with your benefits? Fruits and veggies and stuff?

Answer

They will definitely want your husbands income as it goes off of household, but if y’all are that strapped for money do you need to take off 4-5 months? Can you use short term disability at work? Can you work at all part time or from home?

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Of course you need to report all income...and you also shouldn’t lie about breastfeeding just to try and get more benefits

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Idk about where you’re from but in my state WIC gives you more benefits if you breastfeed. I wouldn’t lie to them. If you breastfeed WIC will give you a years worth of their food package compared to six months. Also yes they will ask for your husbands income but WIC has a higher income cap so there is a good chance you’ll get it. I didn’t qualify for Medicaid during my first but I did qualify for WIC.

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I got more benefits by breastfeeding than formula feeding.

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They will ask husbands income. You don't necessarily have to quilfy for ebt and medical to receive WIC, but if you receive either you're automatically guaranteed to get WIC. Until you have baby they will only give you milk cheese pb cereals eggs and $11 for fresh frozen or canned fruits and veggies. It's not that they give you more "nutrients" if you tell them you're not bfding it's that they will GIVE you formula checks where as if they know you were exclusively bfding they would not.

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Breastfeeding mothers get MORE benefits. And you must tell them all income. Tell them that you won’t be working but you have to give your husbands income.

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The qualifications for WIC are pretty generous. In my state your household can make up like $48,000 yearly and still get benefits. all of the questions will be about your household total income so it will include your husband. But definitely tell them you do not get paid maternity leave.
as for being honest about breastfeeding that's my recommendation- you don't need free formula if you aren't going to use it....

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You actually get more benefits if you breastfeed. More milk, grains etc. If you formula feed they give you less nutrients for you and formula 🤷🏻‍♀️

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I would definitely tell them youre breastfeeding. Otherwise they give chexks foe formula and nothing else. They will give you milk, cereal, cheese, eggs, pesnut butter, tuna fish, fruit/veggies...formula doesnt get as many extras.
When baby starts baby food you will get more baby food with nursing. I think i would get like 70 something fruit/veggies a month and like 30 something jars of meat and a couple things of baby cereal. Plus whatever regular food for yourself. Formula fed gets like half of that..or less

Answer

I don’t work, so we were just using my boyfriends income. They ask for gross, what you make before deductions, and he was making $2500 with me not working. They prefer you to be breastfeeding, they give you more to keep mom healthy since baby is fully dependent on her. You might want to explain to them your income will decrease bc you aren’t working, but that’s only if you want to get cash aid/food stamps as a helping hand.

Things to know about WIC?

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