|
Questions
-
Is
the WIC Program effective?
Who
are the WIC providers in Orange County, and how many
people per month do they serve?
How
can I get WIC services?
What
foods do I get with WIC?
I
work--am I still eligible for WIC?
Will
receiving WIC services affect a participant's
application for citizenship?
Who
do I call for information on Nutrition Services
programs?
Answers
1. Is the WIC Program effective?
Absolutely! WIC WORKS. More than 70 research studies repeatedly
demonstrate that WIC helps women and children lead healthier
lives and saves public and private health care dollars.
An October 1991 USDA study
showed that each dollar invested in WIC's prenatal component
saved between $1.77 and $3.13 in Medicaid costs in just the
first 60 days of life. Pregnant mothers on WIC have a reduced
chance of giving birth to low-birthweight babies, therefore
reducing the number of expensive hospitalizations after birth.
An earlier study conducted by the Harvard School of Public
Health found that each dollar spent on WIC's prenatal component
saves three dollars in hospital costs.
top of
page
2. Who are the WIC providers in
Orange County, and how many people per month do they serve?
|
Providers |
Numbers
Served (09/2005) |
| County
of Orange Health Care Agency |
44,425 |
| Public
Health Foundation Enterprises |
39,831 |
| Camino
Health Center |
5,150 |
Planned
Parenthood of Orange/San Bernardino Counties
|
17,275 |
|
TOTAL |
106,681 |
top of page
3.
How can I get WIC services?
You
must be pregnant, breastfeeding or postpartum or have
children under five years of age. You can call (714)
834-8333 for an initial screening and appointment. You
will be asked a few questions regarding your income,
medical information and place of residence to determine
your eligibility. If you are income eligible after the
initial screening, you will be given an enrollment
appointment and will be asked to bring information for
further screening.
top of page
4.
What foods do I get with WIC?
You
may get some of the following foods depending on your
nutritional need: Milk, cheese, juice, cereal, eggs, dried
beans, peanut butter, baby cereal, baby formula with iron,
carrots and canned tuna. WIC foods are high in protein,
iron, calcium and vitamins A, C and D. WIC foods will help
you and your family stay healthy and feel good.
top of page
5.
I work--am I still eligible for WIC?
You
may still be eligible to receive WIC services even if you
work. For example, a family of four may earn a monthly gross income (before tax) of up to $3,334 or $19.24 an hour and still be eligible. You will
need to call (714) 834-8333 for an initial screening. If
you are eligible, you will need to provide proof of
income. (updated 5/1/2006)
top of page
6.
Will receiving WIC services affect a participant's
application for citizenship?
No,
receiving WIC benefits is not considered a public charge
and should not affect a participant's application for U.S.
citizenship.
7.
Who do I call for information on Nutrition Services
programs?
You
can call (714) 834-7877 and your call will be forwarded to
a Public Health Nutritionist who will return your call as
soon as possible.
top of page
|
