Louisiana WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) is a special supplemental nutrition program for low-income women, infants, and children who are at a nutritional risk. Louisiana WIC provides benefits to pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women. The infants will receive benefits during the first year of their life while qualified children will receive benefits for up to age of five.

The program provides numerous benefits to its participants including access to healthy food, nutrition education, and referrals to other health services.

Louisiana WIC benefits are only available to individuals who are at a nutritional risk, as determined by a qualified health professional. The program also limits its benefits only to low income households. Households with income below income limits will receive these benefits.

Louisiana WIC helps participants to improve their health through supply of nutrition rich food, nutrition education, and support services. It provides support for breastfeeding women so that children in Louisiana grow strong by consuming mother's milk. The program also provides support services for women who can't breastfeed. The support includes sessions with women to help them understand breastfeeding so that they can overcome their problems.

Louisiana WIC provides access to different foods to ensure that the deprived infants, children and women receive nutrition rich diet. The permitted foods include infant formula, soymilk, cereals, peanut butter, bread, milk, eggs, cheese, juices, vegetables, and fruits.

To apply for Louisiana WIC, you will have to fix an appointment with your local WIC clinic. Once your eligibility is determined through a one-on-one interview, you will start receiving the benefits.

Eligibility Requirements

The following are eligible to receive Louisiana WIC benefits:

• Pregnant women
• Breastfeeding women
• Postpartum women
• Infants
• Children

Breastfeeding women can receive benefits up to first birthday of infant while children will receive benefits up to their fifth birthday.

If you meet the categorical requirements for Louisiana WIC program, you will also have to meet the following eligibility criteria to receive Louisiana WIC benefits.

• US citizen or a qualified alien
• Be a resident of Louisiana
• Meet income guidelines
• Be on a nutrition or health risk

Income Limits:

Households with income above income limits as set by USDA will not be able to receive benefits. Look at the chart here to see if your household income is within income limits.

Applicants receiving benefits from certain programs such as TANF, Medicaid, and SNAP automatically qualify the income test. A pregnant woman is considered two persons for calculating number of people in household for applying income limits.

WIC Application Instructions

Applicants receiving benefits from certain programs such as TANF, Medicaid, and SNAP automatically qualify the income test. A pregnant woman is considered two persons for calculating number of people in household for applying income limits.

1. Call your nearest WIC clinic. You can find phone numbers and directions for your nearest office from this link.
   
2. When you make the call, WIC office representative will set an appointment for a face-to-face interview.
   
3. After you have the appointment, get information about documents you need to take to the interview. You will usually have to take proof of your identity, citizenship, and income. If you are on Medicaid, TANF, or SNAP benefits, you will have to bring the proof to show that you're participating in the program. You will also need to take proof of Social Security benefits that you're already receiving.