SNAP beneficiaries may also be eligible for WIC (the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children). Of course, they must meet all of USDA’s regulations. Just as they did when receiving Supplemental Security Income payments.
The good news is that there is an online tool to see whether you qualify for WIC. This allows you to save time while also learning more about your eligibility for the benefit program. See the link below.
Why SNAP recipients may have it easier to qualify for WIC?
According to the Food and Nutrition Service’s website, all WIC applicants must meet certain income standards. In fact, you must earn at or below the Income Standard.
That falls between 100% and 185% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines. They are updated annually. The fact is that SNAP recipients can obtain automatic income eligibility because they are receiving SNAP and their income has already been verified.
SNAP is not the only benefit that can be used to assess your financial eligibility for WIC. For example, TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) and Medicaid will both allow you to accomplish this.
What other requirements are there to get WIC, apart from income?
In total, the Food and Nutrition Service has set 4 conditions. The requirements to get WIC, apart from SNAP, are:
- Nutritional Risk
- Income
- Residential
- Categorical
For your knowledge, WIC is a program for women, children, and newborns. For example, women who are pregnant, postpartum, or breastfeeding. Infants are eligible up to their first birthday.
Children are eligible up to the age of five. Residential criteria require applicants to reside in the state where they apply for WIC. It’s the same as with SNAP benefits. Keep in mind that you are not obliged to reside in a state for a specific period of time. Nutrition risk assessment is also necessary.