Services

What is WIC?

WIC (Women, Infants and Children) is a federal nutrition program which provides food, participant-centered nutrition education and referrals for eligible pregnant women, breastfeeding women, and infants and children under 5 years old.

Catholic Charities WIC program serves approximately 20,000 participants each month in Erie and Niagara Counties.

Good nutrition is especially important to pregnant women, new mothers, infants and young children. This is when bones, bodies and minds are forming and growing. This is when you need extra food to stay healthy.

Your health is important but buying extra food may be hard. You may need help to strectch your food dollars.

How WIC Can Help

WIC is a health and nutrition program. WIC gives you some of the foods needed for good health. With WIC you can get monthly checks to use at grocery stores. You can buy more than milk, eggs, juice, cheese, cereal, peanut butter, beans and infant formula with WIC.  WIC now offers fruits and vegetables, whole grain bread and tortillas, brown rice, tofu, soy milk and baby foods.

WIC also supports breastfeeding women by providing breastfeeding support through our Peer Counselor Program. For more information, visit our Breastfeeding Support Services page!

With WIC you can get help with how to use WIC foods and information on other health and nutrition services.

You May Be Eligible

• If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or postpartum, or 
• Have an infant or child under five years of age, AND
• If you are income eligible, or
• Receive Medicaid, Public Assistance or Food Stamps (S.N.A.P.)

You can receive WIC even if you re not a legal resident; if you are not a U.S. Citizen; if you do not have a social secuirty number;if you or other household members work; or if you are a foreign student (F-1 Visa).

Federal Income Guidelines, 2012-2013

The guidelines are effective through June 30, 2013

When to Apply

• As soon as you know you are pregnant or at any time during your pregnancy
• If you have children under the age of 5

How to Apply

Call the site nearest you - see the list of offices below for locations and directions.

Forms you may need for your WIC appointment: Click here

Information for health care providers: Click here

Community Agency and Medical Providers: If you are interested in learning more about the WIC program, having WIC present to your staff or clientle, having a table at your community event or obtaining written information regarding the program, please call the WIC Outreach Supervsior at 716-332-3322 ext. 213.
 
Buffalo Prenatal-Perinatal Network: Another agency whose mission is to improve pregnancy outcomes and promote better health care for women and children. They can help link you to preventive and primary health care, social support and educational resources in Erie County. Visit them at www.bppn.org.

Breastfeeding Resources & Support

• WIC Breastfeeding Support Services
• Breastfeeding Partners
• La Leche League of NY
• La Leche League International
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
• Breastfeeding.com

Report WIC Fraud: Click here

WIC Quarterly Newsletters

• Fall 2012
• Winter 2012 
• Fall 2011 
• Summer 2011
• Spring 2011
• Winter 2011
• Fall 2010
• Summer 2010
• Spring 2010
• Winter 2010
  

For more information: Call the Growing Up Healthy Hotline toll-free at (800) 522-5006 for more information for WIC participants, potentially eligible individuals or to find a location near you.