Representative Rosa DeLauro with WIC staff members in October 2024
When Sussely Santos became a new mother in 2013, she was filled with love – and anxiety. Like many new moms, she struggled with a low milk supply and worried whether her baby was getting enough to eat.
That is when she found the WIC (Women, Infants and Children) Program. Yale New Haven Health operates two of WIC’s full-time offices in New Haven.
Through one-on-one breastfeeding support and access to healthy foods, the WIC Program did not just help Santos feed her baby – it helped her gain confidence as a mother.
“When I found WIC, it was such a tremendous help. I was able to contact them whenever I needed help with latching and pumping,” said Santos.
WIC is primarily a nutrition education program but also acts as a critical support system for families during some of the most vulnerable moments in their lives. Yet many families do not know if they are eligible or how to access it.
Meeting the Criteria: Who Can Access WIC Services
WIC is available to pregnant women, new mothers who are breastfeeding, and women who have had a baby within the past six months. It also serves infants under 12 months old and children up to their fifth birthday.
Families must meet financial guidelines and have a medical or nutritional need.
Medical providers or clinics should fill out a WIC certification form. A recent height, weight and blood test are required. Blood tests are not needed for infants. If the form is not filled out, and the information is in the electronic medical record called EPIC, WIC staff can access that in lieu of the form.
Families can apply for WIC online at How To Apply or they can call their local WIC office for an appointment. When they come in, they will need to bring the WIC certification form or ensure their height, weight and blood tests are up to date in EPIC. They also need to bring their child or infant (if applying for a child or infant), and proof of income and residency.
“They must be financially eligible. If they are on HUSKY or SNAP, they are automatically eligible,” said Deborah Diehl, WIC Program Management Coordinator for Yale New Haven Health.
Pay stubs or another source of income can be provided as proof of their income level.
“Another criterion is nutritional risk,” added Diehl. “We do a nutrition assessment and can find a nutritional risk on anyone. For example, it can be they are overweight, underweight, not getting enough Calcium or Iron or being on the bottle too long.”
WIC Support Timeline: What Families Can Expect
A woman can stay on WIC for the entire length of her pregnancy and up to six months after delivery. Breastfeeding women may stay on the program for one year after delivery.
Children may be eligible up to 5 years of age, but they must be recertified periodically to determine if they are still eligible – medically and financially.
If families are not eligible, they may be referred to other resources such as food pantries or diaper banks.
WIC vs. SNAP: What’s the difference?
“We provide healthy foods. We teach them how to feed their kids, how to eat healthier for themselves. Not everybody has that education,” explained Diehl.
Nutritionists are at all the sites, and they are required to provide nutrition education once every three months. However, if someone is pregnant or high risk, they may be seen monthly or bimonthly.
Many of the staff in New Haven are also certified lactation counselors. They have been trained to assist with breastfeeding and can help mothers get breast pumps. The YNHH WIC Program also has a robust Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Program which provides additional support to our families.
WIC staff provide referrals by asking a lot of questions regarding mental health, dental health, and food abundance at home.
“If a mom has two children on WIC, that’s potentially $150, or a month’s worth of food. Every child gets approximately $26 for fruits and vegetables. This is great for the farmers and great for the families,” added Diehl.
Learn more about WIC and how to find a location near you.
