Opinions on WIC? - Page 2

[goldfishkate]

Even if you have an appointment it can still take a good hour or two before you're finally out of there with your checks, or at least that's how it is at my WIC office. I just started it too. I remember checking when my oldest was a baby and we made too much money, but our second put us under the income guide lines. I like it and it's worth the hassle. For a 1 year old and 3 year old we get: 7 gallons of milk, 6 pounds of block cheese, 2 pounds of dried beans (lentils), 4 dozen eggs, 8 frozen concentrates of juice, and about 4 boxes of cereal. That's a lot more than we can eat in a month. The new food package will start in October and I'm really looking forward to the fresh produce and ww grain products.

[carmel23]

I made an appointment for a WIC when I read that you can now get fresh produce. We don't drink milk (cow or soy) but I would love to make yogurt and ricotta (and paneer!). The kids would love more cereal, too. We tend not to get it just because it is so expensive.

[dsaucone]

I get a $10 check (breastfeeding) and DD (3 years) gets a $6 check every month.

[Polliwog]

I'm a foster/adoptive parent and my kids automatically qualify for WIC. I stopped for a while because I really didn't need all the milk, eggs, and juice but I'm going to restart. We should be getting the new food packages starting in October. They look terrific. We didn't qualify for farmers market vouchers this summer because my FD is only two and my son turned five.

Our office is nice, the staff usually pleasant, and we get in and out in under an hour (easily.) It's definitely worth it.

[Norasmomma]

Yeah I never have had any of the long wait times I've seen on here.

I'm excited about the new food packages, for a breastfeeding mom they are great. Plus when the baby gets to be 6 months you get like 60 jars of baby food a month, that's a lot. I can't wait to get WW bread or tortillas and veggies, it will help us. Plus tofu and soy milk, that's great. I'll get my OG milk myself, I just can't do conventional now-it tastes so weird.

[Equuskia]

According to my WIC office, they ask for the immunization cards as a form of ID for your children. If you don't have it (even if it's blank, DD2's card from the Vital records office is blank) then you can use the birth certificate, which is what I need to bring in for DD1, since I haven't a clue where her vax card is.

[phathui5]

They asked "and did you bring the immunization records?" I said "Oh, no. I forgot." and they said "Oh, that's okay. Don't worry about it." And I haven't heard a word since.

That's what we do too.

Plus when the baby gets to be 6 months you get like 60 jars of baby food a month, that's a lot. I can't wait to get WW bread or tortillas and veggies, it will help us. Plus tofu and soy milk, that's great.

Here, you don't get any of the stuff you listed. Just cow's milk, cheese, eggs, cereal, juice and peanut butter (or beans).

[Madders]

What is this "new wic" everyone is talking about?

This is what we get each month (one child):

1 jar of peanut butter
28 oz of cereal
4 gallons of milk
2 juice (can't remember the oz)
2 dozen eggs
16 oz of cheese

I would LOVE to be able to get produce with WIC (or organic foods).

[mysticmomma]

IT's coming in October at the latest.
http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/benefits...allowances.HTM

[dsaucone]

Originally Posted by Madders

What is this "new wic" everyone is talking about?

This is what we get each month (one child):

1 jar of peanut butter
28 oz of cereal
4 gallons of milk
2 juice (can't remember the oz)
2 dozen eggs
16 oz of cheese

I would LOVE to be able to get produce with WIC (or organic foods).

Here these items were added at the beginning of the year:
fruits and veggies (fresh/frozen/canned)
WW bread or rice
canned beans vs dried beans
baby cereal and food (60 something jars of fruits and veggies 30 meats and 3 boxes of cereal)

[mysticmomma]

so, if I'm NOT going to use the baby food, should I buy it and donate it, or just not have them print the checks?

[Norasmomma]

Originally Posted by phathui5

Here, you don't get any of the stuff you listed. Just cow's milk, cheese, eggs, cereal, juice and peanut butter (or beans).

It is all starting next month at least in our state. All WIC programs are changing the food packages due to ethnic diversity and new suggestions with the food pyramid, you should look at your states individual WIC site, but there is a link to the new fed rules and regs.

[HappyLittleHouse]

Personally I'd just not redeem those checks, or let them know you don't need them so they're not issued.

[ScarletBegonias]

here in ca, wic "requires" an iron level for kids and bf moms. we don't go to the doctor, and even if we did, i would not have my kids poked with a needle just so we can get some free cheese, milk, eggs and sugary cereal.

plus, it's a hassle to drive there, AND i HATE the stupid "nutrition" classes they require you to attend. it's hogwash. the first time i went to a class when dd was an infant, (note: we don't use/own a microwave, nor eat microwaved food, we believe it to be dangerous, but thats another thread) they were giving "tips" on how to make nutritious food for your kids by microwaving it! i actually said something in front of the whole class about microwaves have not been proven safe and that it only takes a couple minutes to steam some broccoli. i was very irritated.

never been hassled about vaxxing.

ca wic does not allow any organic items, except for organic produce with the vouchers. ca sucks for wic compared to most other states.

i find it ironic that wic wants you to eat healthier, yet virtually all the cereal and pb it approves is full of hfcs, hydrogenated oils, artificial colors and flavors.

wic can be very helpful if you are way poor and have easy access to appts. for us it wasn't worth the driving to pick up coupons/attend classes/have blood drawn. the gas we would spend about equaled the value of the coupons.

jmo/e!

[MissMommyNiceNice]

Well, some good & bad news. Good news is DH's raise they've been promising for months finally came through. Bad news is it puts us over the limit by a couple hundred dollars. Bummer, I was really hoping to save some money. Well, canning season will be over soon, so my market habit should cut back a little bit on the grocery bill.

[Norasmomma]

Originally Posted by MissMommyNiceNice

Well, some good & bad news. Good news is DH's raise they've been promising for months finally came through. Bad news is it puts us over the limit by a couple hundred dollars. Bummer, I was really hoping to save some money. Well, canning season will be over soon, so my market habit should cut back a little bit on the grocery bill.

IDK, but if you are receiving Medicaid, you still qualify. There is a gray area, that is between their income and Medicaid income. I know because my friend technically made too much money, BUT her son was getting Medicaid and so even though they didn't income qualify they did medically qualify. Just an FYI.

[mysticmomma]

You can decline the lead screening as well. There is a religious exemption.

[Madders]

Originally Posted by Norasmomma

IDK, but if you are receiving Medicaid, you still qualify. There is a gray area, that is between their income and Medicaid income. I know because my friend technically made too much money, BUT her son was getting Medicaid and so even though they didn't income qualify they did medically qualify. Just an FYI.

How is this possible? The WIC limits are much higher than the medicaid income limits.

A family of 5 can make 47,712 and qualify for WIC, but can not make over 25,790 for medicaid.

[Polliwog]

Medicaid is an automatic qualifier. My kids can still get WIC (after their adoption and if I still want it) because they will get Medicaid.

[mysticmomma]

the mchip limits are higher though... ?