WIC Program
Food, Nutrition Education, and Breastfeeding Support
The Missouri WIC program provides supplemental food, health care referrals, nutrition education, and breastfeeding promotion and support to eligible pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, infants, and children up to age five.
Fathers, grandparents, guardians, and foster parents may also apply for benefits for eligible children living in their household.
Learn more about eligibility and how to apply for WIC on this page. Use the links near the bottom to navigate to other areas of the WIC program.
Eligibility
Am I Eligible?
Still unsure? Use the prescreen tool or call Lewis County Health Department at (573) 767-5312.
Next Steps
I Am Eligible. What Happens Next?
Qualified individuals apply by completing a certification appointment with a WIC local agency. The appointment includes a health assessment and nutrition education.
All applicants will need to bring proof of identity, residency, and income to the certification appointment.
How to Apply
- Complete the online interest form and have a WIC local agency contact you.
- Call Lewis County Health Department at (573) 767-5312. Missouri WIC location maps show local agencies along with phone numbers and addresses.
- Contact TEL-LINK at 1-800-TEL-LINK or 1-800-835-5465.
What to Bring
Proof of identity
Adults can bring a photo ID such as a driver's license, passport, voter ID, state ID, or military ID. Infants and children may use a birth certificate, hospital records, or immunization records.
Proof of residency
Examples include a pay stub with name and physical address, current utility bill, personal bill, rent or mortgage receipt, or voter ID card.
Proof of income
SNAP, Temporary Assistance, and most Medicaid participants are automatically eligible, so no proof of income is needed. Others can bring pay stubs, W-2 forms, tax returns, or unemployment letters/notices.
The WIC local agency can help offer alternatives if these documents are not available.
Provided by WIC
Food Benefits and Breastfeeding Support
The exact amount of food depends on the child's age and whether or not the mother is breastfeeding.
A WIC debit card is given for a variety of nutritional foods. Mothers who fully breastfeed receive a larger quantity and wider variety of foods, and infants may receive additional infant foods based on age and need.
WIC Food List Includes
Breastfeeding and Breast Pumps
Promoting, supporting, and protecting breastfeeding is a crucial part of the Missouri WIC program. WIC participants have access to one-on-one counseling from educators who can help with breastfeeding goals, common breastfeeding issues, and manual or electric breast pumps.
Breastfeeding prevents certain diseases, helps babies grow and develop, and gives mothers timely support through local WIC agencies.
All WIC local agencies offer a variety of breast pumps, which are provided to postpartum mothers after WIC staff assess which pump is best for the mother.
Breastfeeding support informationManual breast pumps
Manual breast pumps are useful early on or for occasional separations.
Multi-user pumps
Multi-user pumps may be loaned to mothers who exclusively pump, have supply problems, pump for medical reasons, or do not have access to a personal electric pump. A deposit may be charged and returned when the pump is brought back to the local agency.
Personal electric pumps
Many WIC local agencies also provide personal electric breast pumps to mothers who qualify, if the mother has not received a pump from her insurance company.
For assistance with receiving a breast pump or more questions about the WIC program, contact Lewis County Health Department.
WIC Program FAQ
Requirements for participation in the WIC program are the same for everyone regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or handicap.
Call About WIC
Lewis County Health Department can answer WIC eligibility, appointment, and breastfeeding support questions.