BOISE — New income guidelines concerning Idaho’s supplemental nutrition program for Women, Infants, and Children, more commonly know as WIC, will go into effect July 1.

    The income guideline was adjusted to help offset cost of living increases, according to a news release. There are currently 43,200 people receiving Idaho WIC assistance.

     WIC provides nutritious supplemental foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables, milk, eggs, cheese, cereal, juice, beans and peanut butter to eligible families. Such services also includes help paying for health screenings, nutrition counseling, registered dietitians, provides breastfeeding information and support, as well as referrals to other services that may help a family in need.  

    Idahoans enrolled in WIC receive an average of about $54 worth of healthy foods per month.

    To be eligible for the WIC program, an individual must be a pregnant or  breastfeeding, a woman who has recently been pregnant, or an infant or child up to age of five.

    In addition, the individual must live in Idaho, have a special need that can be helped by WIC foods and nutrition counseling and have a low-to-moderate income. To be eligible on the basis of income, an applicant’s gross income, before taxes are withheld, must fall at or below 185 percent of the U.S. Poverty Income Guidelines.    

     If you or a family member are in the categories served by WIC and currently receive Medicaid, SNAP (Food Stamps), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or  the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), you are automatically income eligible for WIC.

    To apply for WIC or for more information about WIC in your area, call the Idaho CareLine at 211 or 1-800-926-2588. Information can also be found on the web at http://www.wic.dhw.idaho.gov.