[Longing2bMom]

What makes a child eligible for WIC? I remember that they briefly mentioned that some children would be eligible in my initial orientation, but they never stated the criteria for eligiblity. Is it based on my income or the bio-family's income? Age of the child?

I am still in the process of getting licensed for fost/adopt. I'm hoping for to be placed with an infant or toddler, but being that childcare will cost way more than the monthly foster care payment, I could use all the help I can get if I end up with a child that still needs formula and diapers.

[naca]

All foster children are eligible for WIC up to age 5 (which is when WIC ends.). They use the child's income (which is $0 - foster per diem depending on state) and each child is a household of 1.
In many states once adopted (if keeping medicaid) they can keep their WIC as medicaid automatically qualifies them for Wic.

Good luck!

[mommytoEli]

Originally Posted by naca

All foster children are eligible for WIC up to age 5 (which is when WIC ends.). They use the child's income (which is $0 - foster per diem depending on state) and each child is a household of 1.
In many states once adopted (if keeping medicaid) they can keep their WIC as medicaid automatically qualifies them for Wic.

Good luck!

when my f.child for a short time received zero dollars....wic would not accept him...they said you HAD to earn money to be on wic. i left in tears and decided it wasn't worth it to fight...but interesting, huh? my son was a foster child with no income...so he was too poor for state aid?

[RNFosterMom]

All of our FKs have been eligible for WIC by virtue of their status of being in foster care. For each placement, the CW gives me a letter to show to WIC staff noting that they are in my home. I've never had any problems getting the child set up in their system and receiving the vouchers, even if they were already in the system w/their bio parents.

WIC is a really nice benefit, as the amount of formula we get each month per child is worth over $110. Once kids are over 1 year, they get vouchers for milk, cheese, juices and cereal. Our last FD was lactose intolerant so we received vouchers for Lactaid milk for her, which was much appreciated as it costs $4.49 per 1/2 gallon in our area.

Another nice thing about WIC is the staff is very knowledgeable about nutrition and can give you information about what and how much a child should be eating at each stage of development.

[Longing2bMom]

Thanks everyone for the information. This sounds like a great extra benefit, especially for an infant since formula is so expensive.

[millie58]

I have to check it out. I thought it only by income and age (I make too much). All my adopted kids still qualify for Medicaid and WIC would be so helpful!!

[AmahMama]

I don't know about adopted children - but ALL foster children w/ placement papers qualify for WIC. They have 0 income. Whoever disqualified the child was wrong and who knows how many others they have erred with. A rule of thumb for any child is = if they qualify for medicaid and are under 5 - they qualify for WIC. AND it is a wonderful benefit.

[millie58]

I checked for NYS and it states that if you qualify for Medicaid, you qualify for WIC. I'll have to call. I wish I was told that when my kids were foster kids.

[mommytoEli]

Originally Posted by millie58

I have to check it out. I thought it only by income and age (I make too much). All my adopted kids still qualify for Medicaid and WIC would be so helpful!!

in CA they told me my adopted kids DID qualify for wic bc they got medicaid....but when they told me about it my son was about to turn 5...so it wasn't worth it to apply. had i known sooner...i would have kept him on it...i just stopped going assuming he no longer qualified...but i was wrong.

[Prettyboicris]

Originally Posted by millie58

I checked for NYS and it states that if you qualify for Medicaid, you qualify for WIC. I'll have to call. I wish I was told that when my kids were foster kids.

Thanks for posting this. As a NYer this helps.

[shaslove]

I have my appt on the 30th. I will be glad to have it, here they give you Farmers Market Vouchers too!