WIC

Qualifying for WIC

In order to qualify for WIC you must:

1. Be pregnant, breastfeeding, or postpartum (within 6 months after delivery) and/or have an infant or a child (1-5 years old)
2. Live in Colorado (Find your local clinic)
3. Meet Income Guidelines

NOTE: If you qualify for Medicaid, SNAP, or TANF you may already be income eligible for WIC.

WIC Income Guidelines July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023

*If you are pregnant, count yourself as two.

**WIC would like to see last 30 days of household income

WIC Food Package

WIC is now using EBT cards to issue benefits, to find out more check out the video below or call your local WIC clinic. Each WIC family will get one eWIC card. At checkout, the WIC shopper will swipe the card, just like a debit or credit card, and enter a personal identification number (PIN). WIC will pay for the allowable foods and deduct them from the family's WIC account.

• More information about EBT cards

Each WIC participant receives a food package that is tailored to meet the various nutritional needs during life. For example a pregnant woman’s food package will be different than a child’s food package.

Food Packages may include:

• Baby food

• Fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables

• Dairy alternatives such as tofu and soy milk

• Whole grain choices, including 100 percent whole-grain and whole wheat bread, brown rice, soft corn tortillas and pasta

• Canned or dried  beans and peas

• Varieties of canned fish

• Yogurt, milk, cheese and eggs

• Cereal

• 100 percent fruit and vegetable juices

• Peanut butter

• Infant formula

WIC supports breastfeeding moms and we want to support your breastfeeding for as long as possible. If not breastfeeding, WIC also provides certain WIC approved formulas.

• WIC Allowable Foods
• WIC Approved Formulas

WIC Breastfeeding Information

WIC provides support for breastfeeding families.

There are many different ways that WIC helps support breastfeeding moms. It is our goal to help moms discover how amazing breastfeeding can be and how it benefits both mom and baby.

Benefits of Breastfeeding Your Baby

Benefits to babies: Fewer allergies, breastmilk is easier to digest than formula, better jaw/ tooth development, higher IQ, fewer illnesses, and less likely to overfeed (reduced childhood obesity).

Benefits to moms: Quick loss of pregnancy weight, decreases certain types of cancer, provides relaxation/ bonding time with baby, increases self-esteem, less bottles to clean/ sanitize, and less expensive than formula.

Free WIC breastfeeding Programs

Pump Loan Program

WIC also loans hospital grade pumps to moms in need to help continue breastfeeding. These moms either have complications with breastfeeding or they may be returning to work/ school and be separated from their baby for long periods of time.

Breastfeeding Peer Counselor

A WIC Peer Counselor is a mom that has breastfed her baby.  She may have had the same issues or questions that you have.  She has special training to help you and your baby by giving you practical help and support.

Single User Pump Program

WIC also provides moms who decide to breastfeed for the first full year of life a pump to keep instead of formula. These pumps are reserved for mothers who will be separated from their infant for a long period of time (such as school or work) who wish to continue breastfeeding for the full year. Please ask your WIC Educator if you qualify for this program.

Colorado Breastfeeding Laws

The Nursing Mothers Act requires Employers to:

• Give paid or unpaid break time, to express breast milk for up to 2 years after the child's birth.
• Provide a nursing mother with a private location (other than a toilet stall) in which to express milk
• Not discriminate against women for expressing milk in the workplace

Food/ Medical/ Financial Assistance you may also qualify for:

• SNAP & SNAP PEAS - Supplemental food assistance for low income families
• LEAP (Low Income Energy Assistance) - Provides financial assistance to help low income households with winter home heating costs
• TANF - Cash/ employment assistance to qualifying low income families
• CCAP (Child Care Assistance Program) - Offers financial assistance to subsidize child care cost for low income families
• Medicaid - Health care benefits for minor children (1-18 years old), parents, and pregnant women who qualify
• Colorado PEAK - Program eligibility and application kit to access benefit information

Visit Larimer County’s human services website to learn more.

Nutrition Related Resources

• State of Colorado WIC Programs
• CSU Extension

Breastfeeding Resources

• Northern Colorado Breastfeeding Coalition
• Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
• Colorado Department of Labor and Employment

Area Medical staff, please complete the Physician Authorization Form if a special formula is required.

Please Fax form to:
 970-498-6721

WIC Program Contact Information

Fort Collins Office
P: 970-498-6720 | F: 970-498-6721
1525 Blue Spruce Drive
Fort Collins, CO 80524

Loveland Office
P: 970-619-4590 | F: 970-498-6721
NEW LOCATION at 200 Peridot Avenue (1st & Denver)
Loveland CO, 80537

Estes Park Office
P: 970-577-2050 | F: 970-498-6721
1601 Brodie Avenue
Estes Park, CO 80517