WIC covers more families under revised income rules

More north country families are now eligible for the Women, Infants and Children federal supplemental feeding program.

Effective April 1, income guidelines for the program, known as WIC, have increased. That opens up a new opportunity for many working families to qualify for the program. A family of four, for example, with a gross annual income of $40,793 now qualifies for the program.

"I hear a lot of statements from people like, 'I don't know what I'd do without WIC,'" said Angel M. Carter, the Jefferson County WIC coordinator.

She said if families that come into the office between January and March fall just below the guidelines, WIC staff reminds them guidelines change in April, and just to be patient.

Come April, the North Country Children's Clinic's WIC offices see more families apply for the program.

"We definitely see an increase just from the people that were determined over-income," Mrs. Carter said.

Pregnant women, breast-feeding mothers, infants and children up to age 5 who meet financial guidelines may be eligible to receive vouchers for WIC food valued at about $65 per month per person. The vouchers allow families to purchase nutritious foods such as eggs, cheese, cereal, milk, juice, peanut butter, fruits and vegetables to supplement their diets.

Formula, rice cereal and certain juices also are available for infants.

"Families have said they would have a great deal of difficulty if it hadn't been, not only for the supplemental food, but also for the support the staff have given them," said Sherry M. Wilson, WIC coordinator for Northern New York.

Families also have been thankful for the extra items they receive during one of their WIC appointments. Each family will receive a reusable shopping bag and a toy for the children.

A recipe book also is given out that offers families ideas on how to stretch their food dollars through meal preparation.

"It was designed by a company that works closely with the WIC program," Miss Wilson said. "It's our hope that more people will try more fruits and vegetables."

To find out more information, call Mrs. Carter at 782-9222; Karen Ritz, the Lewis County WIC coordinator at 376-6427; Barbara Rascoe, the St. Lawrence County WIC coordinator at 386-8128, or Cindy Louey, the Franklin County WIC coordinator, at 1 (518) 483-4262.