New income guidelines go into effect next month for Idaho’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, or the WIC program.
According to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, the new guidelines, effective July 1st, annually raise household income eligibility limits to help offset cost of living increases. To be eligible on the basis of income, an applicant’s gross income before taxes must fall at or below 185 percent of the U.S. Poverty Income Guidelines.
Starting July 1st, households of one person can earn as much as $23,100 and still be eligible for benefits. The amount is $31,284 for two-person households; $39,461 for three-person households; $47,638 or four-member households, and five- person households can earn up to $55,815.
To be eligible for the WIC program, an individual must be a pregnant or breastfeeding woman; a woman who has recently been pregnant; or an infant or child younger than 5 years old. In addition, the individual must live in Idaho, have a need that can be helped by WIC foods and nutrition counseling, and have a low-to-moderate income.
WIC provides nutritious supplemental foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables, milk, eggs, cheese, cereal, juice, beans, and peanut butter at no cost to qualified families. WIC services also include health screenings, nutrition counseling, breastfeeding information, and support, help from registered dietitians, and referrals to other services.
The average Idahoan enrolled in WIC receives about $48 of healthy foods per month. There are currently 32,000 people per month receiving Idaho WIC assistance. (IDHW, EastIdahoNews.com)
