Read the Latest WIC News - November 2020

Women, Infants & Children (WIC) is a federal nutrition program that supports families to live a healthier life. WIC provides nutrition education and counseling, breastfeeding support, prenatal and postpartum support, referrals and food benefits on your eWIC card.

      Give us your phone number and we will follow up with you
to explain WIC to see if you would like to enroll:

WIC is a free nutrition program for:

• Pregnant women
• Breastfeeding moms until infant turns 1 year old
• New moms until infant turns 6 months old
• Infants and children up to age 5
• A foster parent or any caregiver can sign a child up for WIC.

To get WIC, you must live in NY State AND meet the income guidelines below. If you receive Medicaid, SNAP or TANF, you automatically qualify. WIC does not require US citizenship, social security number, or green card to receive benefits. To reach any of our sites serving Chautauqua, Erie and Niagara counties, call (716) 218-1484. Not all of our locations are open every day, so please call us for the site schedule.

What WIC Does For You

Nutrition Education: Talk with our nutritionists. Make a plan for your family's health and wellness.

Breastfeeding:  Free brestfeeding help from nutritionists, lactation consultants, and peer counselors. Free breast pumps when needed.

eWIC Benefit Cards: Get healthy foods with your card at many stores. Use your Farmer's Market checks to get fresh fruits and vegetables.

Referrals: What gets in the way of your health? Get information on services to help you and your family.

Central Phone Number: Call (716) 218-1484 to connect to any WIC office. Callers can make or change appointments, ask general questions, be connected with a nutritionist or breastfeeding specialist, request outreach materials or presentations and connect with any WIC staff member throughout Chautauqua, Erie and Niagara counties.
 

Forms you may need for your WIC appointment: From the NYS DOH, Medical Referral Form and Medical Form (fillable).

Information for health care providers: Click here. For a video guide on filling out the Medical Form, please click here.

Community Agency and Medical Providers: If you are interested in learning more about the WIC program, please call the WIC Outreach Supervisor at 716-218-1484 ext. 2154. WIC is able to do presentations for your staff or clients, participate in your community meetings or events, or supply you with WIC brochures for easy referrals to WIC. WIC conducts outreach online, over the phone, or in person, as appropriate. 
 
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 their website.

Breastfeeding Resources & Support

§  Breastfeeding Partners

§  La Leche League of NY

§  La Leche League International

§  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
 

Non-discrimination statement: (Find a link to the PDF here)

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA. 

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. 

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: How to File a Complaint, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: [email protected] This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

For other complaints or to request a Fair Hearing contact: 

(1) mail:

 WIC Program Director NYSDOH, Riverview Center 

150 Broadway, 6 th Floor

Albany, NY 12204; 

(2) phone: (518) 402-7093; fax (518) 402-7348; or 

(3) email: [email protected]  

Report WIC Fraud: Click here

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.