Michigan's Women, Infants and Children program is a nutrition supplement program that supports low to middle-income families who are designated as nutritionally at risk. The Department of Community Health in Michigan estimates that over 200,000 mothers, babies and children under the age of five years receive food and nutritional education through WIC each year. This is broken down to between $30 and $112 per month in supplementary nutrition for these families.

Programs Offered by Michigan WIC

Supplemental Food Coupons

WIC Michigan mainly offers food supplement coupons. The coupons can then be taken to authorized grocery to purchase healthy foods like fruits and vegetables, milk, cheese, eggs, cereal, peanut butter, beans, juice, whole grain bread and other whole grain foods, and tuna fish. Babies receive canned foods and baby cereals. Infants who are not breast fed receive infant formula.

Nutrition Education

Families who are enrolled in the program receive nutritional education. These classes are necessary before receiving coupons; the lessons include information about proper nutrition for children, prenatal nutrition and weight gain, benefits of breastfeeding, and other healthy habits young children need to have. In Michigan, nutritional education is offered either online or at a local WIC office near you.

Farmer's Market Program

Project FRESH coupons are also offered to Women and children who are enrolled in WIC. These coupons can be used at their local farmer's market. In Michigan, the program consists of a booklet of ten $2 coupons. These coupons are valid during a specific period which is usually June 1 through Oct. 31, can be used to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables from farmer's markets that have farmers registered with the program. Farmers are instructed not to give change, and the user is required to pay any amount above the coupon's face value when using this program.

Breastfeeding Support and Education

Another goal of the Michigan WIC program is promoting breastfeeding. Expecting women who participate in the program receive instructions about the benefits of breastfeeding as well as the mechanics of nursing a baby. Women who need help can access breastfeeding specialists either at the WIC clinic or in their own homes.

You can find a detailed list of all WIC clinics in Michigan on this website: www.michigan.gov/documents/mdch/MI_WC_Clinic_Locations

All breastfeeding mothers also receive additional food coupons for their own health in addition to the coupons for their babies' needs.

Eligibility Requirements

In order for you to be eligible to receive Michigan WIC vouchers you must meet the following criteria:

• Must be pregnant, breastfeeding or have children under the age of five.
• Must be a resident of Michigan
• If you are receiving Medicaid or food stamps, you already meet income requirements.
• Your income is at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty level.

If you meet the above criteria arrange to call your local Michigan WIC agency on 1-800-26-BIRTH to schedule a certification appointment.

You should have the following documents with you during your appointment:

• Proof of your household income (e.g. recent paystubs)
• Identification Documents (e.g. your photo ID & your child's birth certificate)
• Proof of Address (e.g. Copy of Lease agreement or a recent utility bill sent to your address)
• Immunization record of your child

At your appointment the above documentation will be reviewed. Basic health screenings will be carried out for all program participants. The WIC agent will use this information to determine if you are eligible to receive WIC food vouchers. More details on eligibility can be found at this link.

WIC Application Instructions

Michigan WIC cannot be applied for online, you will need to request for a certification appointment. Once you have been given an appointment, you must appear in person and provide all your application information to the Michigan WIC program. Your certification appointment can be made by calling 800-26-BIRTH, or by contacting the WIC office closest to you. See a list of all Michigan WIC agencies at this link: www.michigan.gov/mdch/.

Remember to gather your eligibility documents. You must provide proof of income and your address. In general, you may use several of your last pay stubs, bank statements if self-employed, and a utility statement or lease agreement for your current home address. You must provide birth certificates for any of your children eligible for WIC and their immunization records. If you are pregnant, you must provide proof of your pregnancy, such as a doctor's note or medical confirmation of the pregnancy.

Attend your certification appointment. A WIC counselor reviews your eligibility information at the appointment and screens you (if pregnant) and your eligible children for health risks. This generally includes a blood iron test and weight and height assessments.