[rmyoung]

What are the eligibility requirements for WIC as foster parents? Is it the same as if you are not a foster parent?

thanks for any and all replies!!!


-Melanie
(should be certified legal risk any day now)

[leaabc123]

I believe that it is the same in every state. Foster children automatically qualify for WIC. So, there are no income requirements that you have to meet.

This means that you will get whatever they provide to children every month. For kids under 1 year, that means formula. For older kids, that includes milk, cereal, peanut butter, juice, eggs and cheese.

With our two girls, we get more than enough milk. The eggs usually last the month as well unless we are baking for a special occasion. The cereal is somtimes given away as we will start piling it up. This summer has had some really hot days so the juice sometimes runs out as well.

I know for other families, they have to provide income verification for all adults in the home to see if they qualify. You will need to bring a letter of custody to the WIC office, or the SW will have to forward it to them. They also have medical forms that have to be filled out for the kids about once or twice a year.

You get 3 months worth of coupons at a time. Now, you may have to find out if the child was already receiving WIC. If they are and you don't have the checks, it can be a problem. I have gone through this a few times.

Also, if you have checks for a child and the child is being moved, make sure and ask the WIC office (not the SW'r) what to do with the remaining checks. I have always been told to mail them back to the WIC office, not to give them to the family or new foster family.

[claschober]

For us, we did not have to provide proof of income, just proof we were the boy's foster parents. I had to go to the initial meeting to get everything set up and make the phone calls, because they would not talk to my dh since he is a man and the program is set up for Women, Infants and Children. I got a good laugh out of that when he told me they wouldn't talk to him on the phone! He can redeem the checks at the store as long as his signature matches the one in our book.

They told me that once the adoption of our FC is finalized that I would have to provide proof of income in order to qualify. I only received checks for 1 month, as I have to meet w/ a nutritionist in a few weeks due to my fs being born drug exposed.

As leeabc said the checks are more than enough for milk, eggs, cheese, and juice. I also have more than enough formula and baby cereal for my youngest fs. When I go back at the end of the month I also have to have paperwork filled out for my oldest fs regarding his health and hemoglobin count. They told me any child over 1 has to give them the hemoglobin count. They also weighed my boys and measured them.

The first time going to the store took me awhile, as there are certain requirements regarding what kinds of juice, cereal etc.... that you must follow. In my personal opinion I do not suggest taking your children w/ you to the store the first time, as mine got very impatient! LOL

Take Care,

Cindy

[marsha4]

you also have to sit through a brief class or video on nutrition at WIC, which you can count towards your foster parent training hours! Our experience with the store shopping is go when it is not very crowded, and you have lots of time. It has to be just certain brands of cereal, juice, etc. One of the stores here is very good about labeling the foods "wic approved" others in town are not. Also, you have to get ALL of the food on the coupon, or you lose it. (so you have to buy all two dozen eggs at once, etc.)

[Kate1129]

We only had to prove they are in our care. As fosterkids they automatically qualify.