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WIC - Women, Infants & Children

What is WIC?

The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program provides access to healthy foods for growth and development and promotes food nutrition through education.

WIC benefits for food are provided free of charge to pregnant, postpartum, or nursing women, and for infants and children under the age of 5 who demonstrate a need as determined by WIC guidelines.

The WIC office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

It's located at 220 Green St. Albany, NY 12202.

To speak with someone in the WIC office, call 518-432-4033.

Basket of breastfeeding books, infant toys, and t-shirts
I would not have been as successful breastfeeding if it weren't for you calling and checking in on me.”
WIC Clientduring World Breastfeeding Week

WIC benefits make it easier for you to shop for healthy food, and can be used at participating grocery stores and farmers markets within New York State.

The WIC benefits cover foods including:

  • Baby Food
  • Brown Rice
  • Canned Fish
  • Cereal
  • Cheese
  • Dried or Canned Beans/Peas
  • Eggs
  • Fruit Juice
  • Fruits and Vegetables
  • Infant Formula
  • Milk
  • Peanut Butter
  • Tofu
  • Tortillas
  • Whole Grain Bread
  • Whole Wheat Pasta
  • Yogurt

Due to the formula shortage, the NYS WIC formulary has alternate options for a limited time.  Depending on the formula you receive, you may be able to temporarily purchase a combination of formula brands and alternate container sizes.  If you can't find your assigned formula in the stores, the following resources are available:

See a list of WIC-approved baby formulas in New York State.

Learn more about foods and formula from New York State's WIC Vendors.

Please review the household size and income per pay periods to help determine if you're eligible for WIC benefits:

Effective June 2024 - June 2025
Pregnant individuals count as two people

One person household:
Annual: $27,861
Monthly: $2,322
Twice-monthly: $1,161
Bi-weekly: $1,072
Weekly: $536

Two person household:
Annual: $37,814
Monthly: $3,152
Twice-monthly: $1,576
Bi-weekly: $1,455
Weekly: $728

Three person household:
Annual: $47,767
Monthly: $3,981
Twice-monthly: $1,991
Bi-weekly: $1,838
Weekly: $919

Four person household:
Annual: $57,720
Monthly: $4,810
Twice-monthly: $2,405
Bi-weekly: $2,220
Weekly: $1,110

Five person household:
Annual: $67,673
Monthly: $5,640
Twice-monthly: $2,820
Bi-weekly: $2,603
Weekly: $1,302

Six person household:
Annual: $77,626
Monthly: $6,469
Twice-monthly: $3,235
Bi-weekly: $2,986
Weekly: $1,493

Seven person household:
Annual: $87,579
Monthly: $7,299
Twice-monthly: $3,650
Bi-weekly: $3,369
Weekly: $1,685

Eight person household:
Annual: $97,532
Monthly: $8,128
Twice-monthly: $4,064
Bi-weekly: $3,752
Weekly: $1,876

For each additional person:
Annual: +$9,953
Monthly: +$830
Twice-monthly: +$415
Bi-weekly: +$383
Weekly: +$192

To find out if you are eligible for WIC and to begin enrollment, please call the WIC office at 518-432-4033.

Appointments can be done virtually or in person.

Lactation Destination Club

We offer breastfeeding discussion groups for anyone thinking about or planning to breastfeed. Bring your partner, family, or friends - anyone in your support system!  It's free to attend!

Share questions and learn facts about breastfeeding and all of its great benefits.

Discussion topics include:

  • Is breastfeeding for me?
  • Breastfeeding when pregnant
  • Breastfeeding in the hospital
  • Postpartum breastfeeding
  • How long should I breastfeed?
  • Breastfeeding at work/school
  • Breastfeeding and relationships

Signing up for a group is simple!  Ask a WIC staff member at your next appointment, or call the office at 518-432-4033.

Upcoming Dates (In-person only)

  • Friday January 10, 2025 at 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
  • Friday February 21, 2025 at 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.

*Future dates to be determined

March 2025

National Nutrition Month and WIC:

Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) offers a variety of meal packages that are customized to the individuals specific needs. While providing a meal package, WIC offers nutrition counseling, breastfeeding support, health education, and referrals to other agencies.

WIC celebrates National Nutrition Month® every March to educate and provide our participants with the necessary tools to make informed food choices. The theme for 2025 is "Food Connects Us". Food connects us to our culture, our families, and our friends. Sharing a meal is an opportunity to learn about its preparation, who made it and where the ingredients were sourced. Health, memories, traditions, seasons and access can all impact our relationship with food.

Tips to Celebrate "Food Connects Us":

  • Cook at home with family.
  • Learn about how the ingredients you eat were grown or raised.
  • Create a grocery list and look out for sales to stay on budget. When food is less processed, it’s often more affordable.
  • Learn about the traditions and culture behind the foods you eat.
  • For most people, choosing food instead of supplements is the best way to meet nutrient needs. Always speak with your doctor before starting any supplements.

For more information about National Nutrition Month visit the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

WIC Reminders:

Don't forget to use your benefits! Utilizing your WIC benefits helps our program receive appropriate funding to continue to serve our community.

Lactation Destination Club: Each month, our peer counselor holds a breastfeeding support group for pregnant and postpartum families to learn about different breastfeeding topics. Please call the office if you're interested in attending. More information is listed above.

Send in your WIC Medical Referral Forms. Please email or fax in yours or your child's WIC Medical Referral Form so we have the most up-to-date blood work and height and weight measurements.

Have breastfeeding questions? Call the WIC office at 518-432-4033 or peer counselor Jackie at 518-649-3885

 

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at 800)-877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-
508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling 866-632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD[1]3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
fax: 833-256-1665 or 202-690-7442; or
email: program.intake@usda.gov

 

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

For other complaints or to request a Fair Hearing contact:

Mail: WIC Program Director NYSDOH, Riverview Center 150 Broadway, 6th Floor, Albany, N.Y., 12204
Phone: 518-402-7093;
Fax: 518-402-7348; or email: NYSWIC@HEALTH.NY.GOV