Missouri launching WIC debit card system in 2020

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Missouri’s Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) will launch a debit card system for its qualifying recipients in 2020.The State Department of Health and Human Services says every month, over 100,000 Missourians participate in the WIC program. The program provides nutrition information, breastfeeding support and nutritious foods to pregnant women, infants and children up to 5 years of age.

Missouri WIC offers healthy food choices targeting specific essential nutrients often missing from the diets of participants, such as iron, calcium, protein and vitamins A, C, and D. To meet these needs, the WIC food package includes fresh or frozen fruits and vegetable, whole grains and the choices of tofu and yogurt, along with other nutritious foods.

In 2020, Missouri WIC will begin using an electronic benefits card, eWIC, for benefit redemption. The new card is intended to make shopping for WIC foods more convenient and discreet for participants.

The new card will launch at different times next year, depending on where recipients live.

According to the schedule from the state, the rollout for Ozark County recipients will be in June, with Howell County’s in July. To view the timeline for the debit card launch throughout the state, click here.

“The WIC program takes into consideration the distinct needs of the women, infants and children it serves providing participants with individualized nutrition counseling and then prescribes a food package to fit their nutritional needs,” says Angie Brenner, Missouri WIC Director. “Breastfeeding mothers receive additional support to ensure a successful breastfeeding journey for their infant and themselves.”

WIC provides nutrition education, breastfeeding promotion and support, nutritious foods and referrals to health services.

To qualify for the WIC program, participants must meet the following requirements:

Be a pregnant, breastfeeding, or new mother; an infant up to age 1; or a child up to age 5; and
be a resident of Missouri; and
meet income eligibility requirements.
Missourians interested in learning about the benefits of WIC may visit wic.mo.gov or call TEL-LINK at 1-800-835-5465 to find the WIC local agency in their county.

WIC is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture and administered by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

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