Thanks to extended flexibilities in federal rules, close to 400,000 New Yorkers will continue to receive critical support remotely through the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, known as WIC. The WIC program provides access to healthy foods as well as nutritional counseling and breastfeeding support to pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women and children up to age five. Additionally, WIC clinics function as community centers and resource brokers for young families, connecting parents and children with early intervention, mental health, and countless other supports.
New York State has made maximum use of existing program flexibilities to make it as easy as possible for children and families to participate in WIC during the COVID-19 health emergency. Specifically, clinics may serve participants remotely via telephone, text, or videoconference, and remotely load WIC benefits onto eWIC cards.
Local providers are able to maintain full operations supporting current participants and enroll new families. As the impact of the pandemic continues, more families may now be income-eligible and are strongly encouraged to apply.
After the start of the pandemic, WIC agencies moved as quickly as allowed to continue to serve families while keeping both families and WIC staff safe. WIC directors from around New York State report that delivering WIC services remotely has been well-received by participants, and due to the economic impacts of the pandemic, WIC agencies have seen higher participation among families. “No one should have to choose between having enough to eat and risking health having to travel to and from the WIC clinic. These waivers allow our clinics to be truly participant-centered and make it easy and safe for WIC participants to receive vital nutrition services. All families whose income has been affected during this period should absolutely apply for WIC,” said Helene Rosenhouse-Romeo, Director of WIC and Nutrition at Ryan Health Network in NYC. “We want to remind community partners and families that WIC is here for everyone, regardless of immigration status, and that many more New Yorkers could participate. Dads, grandparents, step-parents, guardians, and foster parents can apply, too, for WIC on behalf of the children in their care. Even families already receiving support from foster care, medical assistance, or SNAP may be eligible,” said Lauren Brand, WIC Director of the Stony Brook WIC Program in Suffolk County and chairperson of the WIC Association of NYS.
New Yorkers can connect with WIC by calling the Growing Up Healthy Hotline at 1-800-522-5006 and ask for help with WIC.
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