The Ohio Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program is a federally funded initiative administered by the Ohio Department of Health. It is designed to provide supplemental nutrition assistance, education, and support to eligible pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, postpartum women, infants, and children up to five years of age. The program aims to improve pregnancy outcomes, reduce infant mortality, and enhance early childhood development by addressing medical and nutritional risks.
WIC enhances pregnancy outcomes by offering or referring participants to essential health and social services that promote full-term pregnancies. It mitigates the risks associated with low birth weight in infants by ensuring access to nutritious foods and health services. Furthermore, WIC supports early childhood growth and development by improving dietary intake for infants and children.
Applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria to qualify for WIC benefits. These include being physically present at the clinic appointment, residing in Ohio, being determined by health professionals as at nutritional or medical risk, and meeting income thresholds set at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines. Income eligibility is based on gross countable income and varies depending on the household size, with annual thresholds ranging from $27,861 for a one-person unit to $97,532 for an eight-person unit.
Applications can be submitted by visiting a WIC clinic, mailing a completed application form, or calling the Help Me Grow Helpline for assistance. Applicants must provide proof of eligibility and attend a scheduled appointment at their local WIC clinic. WIC clinics are available in all 88 counties of Ohio. Resources such as the WIC Prescreening Tool and a downloadable clinic directory are available to assist potential applicants.
The application form authorizes the sharing of health information among the Ohio Department of Health, the Department of Medicaid, and the Department of Job and Family Services to assess eligibility. It includes declarations of truthfulness and compliance with program rules under penalty of perjury. Discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, or prior civil rights activity is prohibited under federal law.
Support for non-English speakers and individuals with disabilities is available through language assistance services, relay communication channels, and contact with local or state agencies. Additionally, WIC clinics in Ohio also serve as voter registration sites in compliance with the National Voter Registration Act of 1993. Fraud and abuse within the program can be reported through a dedicated form to uphold program integrity.
