The Women, Infants & Children (WIC) program helps support the health and well-being of pregnant individuals, new parents, infants, and young children by providing nutritious foods, breastfeeding support, nutrition education, and referrals to healthcare and community resources. Our Branch-Hillsdale-St.Joseph Community Health Agency is proud to offer WIC services that help families build healthy habits, access essential support, and give children the best possible start in life.
Women, Infants & Children (WIC)
WIC is for anyone with child dependents, including parents, grandparents, foster parents, and stepparents, as well as parents who are pregnant, postpartum, or suffering the loss of a recent pregnancy. If you are receiving Medicaid, or have an EBT card for food, you qualify for WIC benefits.
Who is eligible for WIC?
• Women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have recently had a baby. If you are breastfeeding, you can stay on WIC for one year after your baby is born. If you are not breastfeeding, you can stay on WIC for six months.
• Infants from birth to 1 year of age.
• Children from 1 year of age to their 5th birthday.
• Clients must live in Michigan and meet income guidelines
What Paperwork Do I Need to Bring to My First Appointment?
You need to bring the following for you and/or your child:
- Proof of identity
- Proof of address
- Proof of income (Medicaid card, pay stub, W-2)
- Proof of Pregnancy, if applicable
What Happens at My First WIC Appointment?
If eligible, you and/or your child will:
- Be measured for weight, height and hemoglobin.
- Talk to nutrition staff about healthy eating for you and your family.
- Receive an EBT card to purchase WIC approved foods.
- Make an in-person or online appointment every three months to continue receiving WIC services.
What Foods Might I Get?
WIC provides access to a variety of nutritious, approved foods that support healthy growth and development for pregnant individuals, infants, and young children. Benefits can be used to purchase items such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, milk, eggs, cheese, yogurt, peanut butter, beans, cereal, infant foods, and more. Approved foods are selected to provide important nutrients that help families build healthy eating habits.
The Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program
The Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP), formerly known as WIC Project FRESH is now known in Michigan as WIC Produce Connection and administered by the WIC (Women, Infants and Children) program. WIC Produce Connection helps to provide healthy and nutritious produce to Michigan WIC clients, while fostering economic development by promoting our state’s diverse agricultural products. The program provides low-income, nutritionally-at-risk WIC clients with eligible, locally grown, fresh, unprepared fruits and vegetables from Authorized Growers at farmers markets and roadside stands throughout Michigan.
Resources
• Check Your WIC Eligibility
• WIC Connect App on Google Play Store
• WIC Connect App on Apple Store
• WIC Approved Foods
• Visit Southwest MI Food Bank
• Visit Michigan WIC Online for Full Resources & Information
• WIC Breastfeeding Support
• Visit wichealth.org
• Submit a WIC Complaint
• WIC Nondiscrimination Statement
Make An Appointment
To make an appointment, please call one of our office locations:
Branch: 517-279-9561 ext. 146
Hillsdale: 517-473-7395 ext. 146
St. Joseph County: 269-273-2161 ext. 210