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The high prices and limited availability of nutritious food in your area can make meeting your child’s dietary needs challenging.
In addition to finding food that supports development, feeding your child age-appropriate food is essential for protecting them against illnesses and costly hospitalizations. Nationwide statistics show that low rates of breastfeeding cost over $3 billion a year in medical expenses for women and children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
To find the right food with suitable calories, proteins, and vitamins for you and your child, you can participate in your local Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program. The program helps parents like you to ensure your children receive the necessary nutrition for their brain and body development from infancy to toddlerhood.
Get a head start on your WIC program application by obtaining a referral from pediatricians at Children’s Medical Centers of Fresno.
Ensure Your Child’s Nutrition
Get a WIC Referral from Our Pediatricians
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is a public health initiative that supplements the participants’ diets, promoting better health outcomes during critical developmental periods. It is under the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (USDA-FNS) and seeks to improve the nutritional health of participants consisting of low-income women (pregnant and postpartum), infants, and children under five years old who are at nutritional risk.
In 2023, WIC served approximately 6.6 million participants monthly, which included about 39% of all infants in the country. WIC program benefits participants through:
The Supplemental Nutrition Program helps low-income women (pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding), infants, and children up to the age of five. To enroll in the program, you must provide documentation to demonstrate your eligibility based on income, state residency, and WIC referral.
To ensure a smooth processing of your WIC referral process, follow this guide:
The first step is to assess if you meet the WIC program’s income guidelines and residency requirements.
Income
In Fresno, income eligibility is based on gross income at or below 185% of the federal poverty level. The specific income limits effective from April 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, are as follows:
| Family Members Count | Monthly Income Limit | Yearly Income Limit |
1 | $2,322 | $27,861 |
2 | $3,152 | $37,814 |
3 | $3,981 | $47,767 |
4 | $4,810 | $57,720 |
5 | $5,640 | $67,673 |
6 | $6,469 | $77,626 |
| Each additional member | Over $830/month | Over $9,953/year |
This guideline applies to families residing in Fresno.
State residency
If you’re looking to join the Fresno WIC program, remember that you must be a resident of California to participate. Ongoing participation in the program requires demonstrating residency in the Golden State.
Also, the program is open to migrant families and does not require proof of residency at the initial enrollment appointment.
Referral
Another essential part of your program application requires obtaining a WIC referral. This recommendation can only be obtained from a trained health official or healthcare professional, such as the pediatricians at Children’s Medical Centers of Fresno.
To obtain a referral, please book an appointment at our clinic and inform them that you are interested in WIC benefits. They will assist you by evaluating the individual you intend to enroll and completing the WIC referral form.
Collect necessary documents, including proof of income (pay stubs), proof of residency (utility bills or rental agreements), and identification documents (birth certificates or IDs) to support your WIC application.
This is a crucial step. On your first visit, take the enrollee (you or your child) and bring proof of identification and your completed WIC referral form, which are the only requirements for the first appointment.
During a WIC appointment, participants can expect a supportive experience focused on their nutritional needs and overall health. Key activities include eligibility verification, health screening, nutritional counseling, determining a fitting food package for you, and receiving your benefits card.
Now that you’ve gathered the necessary documents, you might think, “Where can I find a WIC program near me?”
Besides avoiding redundant testing, another benefit of getting a WIC referral is that your clinic will assist in making the WIC certification appointment. This means they will contact the nearest WIC office, which may include offices in:
Office hours:
Contact information:
Sometimes, choosing an available appointment time can be tricky, especially during your working hours. However, the benefits of WIC and getting the proper nutrition for you and your child outweigh the difficulties of a busy schedule.
With your pediatricians helping you set the WIC appointment, you have nothing else to worry about. Once an appointment is set, they will inform you about the essential documents to bring.
At the first appointment, the WIC staff will review your documents, conduct basic health screenings, and perform nutritional assessments. This is a good opportunity to ask about the types of foods to give your child, as well as which ones to avoid (e.g., processed food). You can also inquire about meal planning tips and any other questions related to proper nutrition.
If you qualify, the WIC staff will talk to you about your WIC benefits. They will give you information on how to use your benefits, whether through food packages, vouchers, or electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards. Ask for resources on which grocery stores and pharmacies accept these WIC benefits.
If you plan to breastfeed, you will receive support through counseling and informative resources to help you overcome challenges at any breastfeeding stage.
People with healthy eating patterns have a lower risk of severe problems such as diabetes and heart disease. Start your child’s healthy eating journey by getting your WIC referral and appointment.
Create a checklist of documents and list all your health-related questions for you and your child. Bringing some toys to calm your child is also a good idea, as a visit to the office can make them feel uneasy.
Lastly, check with the clinic to see if the WIC office accepts electronic submission of documents, as some WIC offices offer this option to make the most of your visit time.
Your journey to ensuring your child’s healthy development begins with a simple appointment. By obtaining your WIC referral, you can access nutritious food, receive counseling about healthy eating, and obtain breastfeeding support.
Schedule an appointment today for your WIC referral! Contact our pediatricians at Children’s Medical Centers of Fresno by calling (559) 455-1500 or clicking the Book an Appointment button below for tailored guidance on nutritious diets and meal planning.
Please take advantage of our flexible scheduling, including after-hours appointments from 5 PM to 9 PM, Monday to Friday, and 9 AM to 3 PM on Saturdays.
Secure Your WIC Referral
