Women Infants and Children Nutrition Program (WIC)
To apply for WIC, call 1-800-WIC-1007, or find a Tapestry Health/WIC program nearest to you. Locations listed at left.
About WIC
The Massachusetts Women, Infants and Children Nutrition Program provides free food and nutrition information for women who are pregnant, postpartum, or breastfeeding, and infants and children under the age of five. Tapestry Health runs seven WIC locations throughout Hampden and Hampshire counties.
WIC Services Include:
- Food checks for specific foods
- Nutrition education and counseling
- Breastfeeding support
- Immunization screening and referrals
- Health care and social services referrals, including medical services, AFDC, Medicaid, and fuel assistance.
Reasons to Apply for WIC
Women in the WIC Program eat better, have healthier babies and receive early prenatal care.
Infants born to WIC mothers weigh more and grow and develop better.
Children on WIC eat healthier foods, visit their doctors more regularly, and receive scheduled immunizations.
Who Can Apply for WIC
WIC is for all kinds of families: married and single parents, working or not working. If you are a mother, father, grandparent, foster parent, or other legal guardian of a child under 5, you can apply for your child.
You are eligible for WIC if you:
- live in Massachusetts
- are a pregnant, postpartum or breastfeeding woman
- have an infant or child under 5 years of age
- have a nutritional need
- currently receive TAFDC, food stamps or Medicaid
- have a household income less than or equal to the following guidelines:
| Household Size | Yearly | Monthly | Bi-Weekly | Weekly |
| 1 (person) | $17,705 | $1,476 | $681 | $341 |
| 2 | 23,736 | 1,978 | 913 | 457 |
| 3 | 29,767 | 2,481 | 1,145 | 573 |
| 4 | 35,789 | 2,984 | 1,377 | 689 |
| 5 | 41,829 | 3,486 | 1,609 | 805 |
| 6 | 47,860 | 3,989 | 1,841 | 921 |
| 7 | 53,891 | 4,491 | 2,073 | 1,037 |
| 8 | 59,922 | 4,994 | 2,305 | 1,153 |
What to Expect at Your WIC Appointment
During your appointment, one of our nutritionists will review your health history and talk to you about your diet. Whatever your nutritional concerns, we can help. Our staff can give you tips on shopping for and cooking healthy foods, taking care of babies, breastfeeding, eating well during pregnancy and breastfeeding, how to meet your child's nutritional needs, and more.
How It Works
Eligible participants receive WIC checks. You can use these at most grocery stores. Each check lists the foods you can buy, including things like milk, cheese, eggs, tuna fish, cereal, fruit juice, infant formula, peanut butter, carrots, and dried beans and peas. During the growing season (from June or July through October), you can receive farmers' market coupons for fresh fruits and vegetables.
Most grocery stores accept WIC checks. If you want to know if the store you like to shop at will take WIC checks, ask your nutritionist at your appointment. If you do have a problem, please call us and let us know. We will do everything we can to help.
If you use your WIC checks to buy food, you can still use regular coupons that you've clipped from the newspaper for extra savings.
Infants and Children
If you are pregnant and receiving help from WIC, once your baby is born, both you and your baby will be eligible for WIC. If you are breastfeeding, you will be eligible for up to one year after the baby is born. If not, you will be eligible for up to six months after the baby's birth. Your baby will be eligible for WIC checks for formula. Once your baby is no longer uses formula, he or she will be eligible for child checks for solid foods that will help your baby grow healthy and strong. Children remain eligible for WIC assistance up to age five.
