Benton County Health Unit - Rogers WIC

1200 W. Walnut Street, Suite 2200
Rogers, AR - 72756
479-986-1300

County: Benton County

Website

Office Information: Mon-Fri: 8:00 AM-4:30PM




Arkansas WIC Program 




The WIC program is the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children.   The Arkansas WIC Program is administered by the Arkansas Department of Health through a grant provided by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). 
WIC provides:


Supplemental foods high in nutrients during time of critical growth and development. 
Nutrition education designed to improve dietary habits and health status and to emphasize the relationship between nutrition and health. 
Information, support and encouragement for breastfeeding. 
Referrals for other health services.
Pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants and children under age 5 may qualify if they live in Arkansas, have a nutritional need and have an income at or below WIC guidelines or receive Medicaid, ARKids, TEA or SNAP (Food Stamps).


Information about WIC can be obtained from any local county health unit between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. 


In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.


Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.










WIC Eligibility Information 




Pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants and children under age five are eligible for WIC if they:


Meet Income Guidelines - WIC income guidelines are set at 185% of poverty and are revised each year. Applicant must provide proof of income. Examples are: current check stubs, W-2 forms, most current income tax return, proof of eligibility for Medicaid (including ARKids), TEA, SNAP (food stamps).


Have a Nutritional Need - Conditions such as anemia, certain medical disorders, weight (over- or under- weight, weight in relation to height, etc.) number and /or frequency of pregnancies are examples of the factors that are considered in a nutritional assessment. A nurse or other professional performs this assessment in the local health unit.


Live in Arkansas - Applicants must provide proof of residency. Examples of proof of residency can be a current utility, cable or phone bill, a current mortgage or rent receipt, proof of Arkansas Medicaid, TEA or SNAP (food stamps).  






How do I apply?


WIC is available at all Local Health Units in Arkansas, satellite clinics and three WIC-only Clinics. You can apply for and receive WIC in any county in Arkansas. You must call to make an appointment.  At your appointment, WIC staff will check to see if you are eligible.






What do I bring to a WIC appointment?


ID for yourself and each child 
Proof you are an Arkansas resident
Proof of income 
Bring any children you are applying for
If you have questions, or need more information regarding eligibility, please contact your local county health unit or you can call the State WIC Office at 501-661-2473, fax at 501-661-2004 or by e-mail.






FAQ




Q: What is WIC?
Answer: WIC is the supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children.  WIC provides nutritious foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support and referrals to other health services.  WIC serves eligible pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women, infants and children up to age 5.


Q: Who is eligible?
Answer: Pregnant, breastfeeding or postpartum women, infants, and children up to age 5 are eligible for WIC.  They must meet income guidelines, live in Arkansas, and be individually determined to be at "nutritional risk" by a health professional.  To be eligible on the basis of income, applicants family income must fall at or below 185 percent of the U.S. Poverty Income Guidelines.  Applicants who receive Medicaid, ARKids, TEA or SNAP are automatically income eligible


Q: Where is WIC available?
Answer: The Arkansas WIC Program is available at every Local Health Unit in all 75 counties.  In addition, there are satellite clinics and three WIC-only clinics that only offer WIC services.  You may apply and receive WIC at any of the sites in Arkansas.


Q: What is nutritional risk?
Answer: Nutritional risk is determined by a health professional such as a physician, registered dietitian, or nurse and is based on federal guidelines.  There are two major types of "nutritional risk" recognized for WIC eligibility:


Medically-based risk such as anemia, underweight, overweight, history of pregnancy complications, or poor pregnancy outcomes.
Dietary risks such as failure to meet the dietary guidelines or inappropriate nutrition practices.
Q: How many people does WIC serve?
Answer: The Arkansas WIC Program serves an average of 95,000 participants each month.


Q: What food benefits do WIC participants receive?
Answer: Arkansas WIC participants receive WIC Food Checks and Cash Value Benefit Checks (CVBs) to purchase specific foods each month that are designed to supplement their diets with specific nutrients.


WIC foods include iron-fortified infant formula, infant cereal, infant baby food fruits and vegetables, iron-fortified adult cereal, vitamin C-rich juice, milk, cheese, eggs, whole grains, dried or canned beans, fruits and vegetables, peanut butter, and canned fish.  Special infant formulas may be provided when prescribed by a physician for a specific medical condition.  A soy-based beverage is also available as a milk alternative; however a prescription is required for children.


Q: How do WIC participants receive their foods?
Answer: The Arkansas WIC Program provides food checks and Cash Value Benefit (CVBs) checks that participants use at WIC-authorized grocery stores.  The food check list the foods and quantities and the CVBs show the dollar amount of fruits and vegetables that can be purchased at the WIC-authorized grocery store.


Q: What is the WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program?
Answer: The WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program provides food checks that can be used to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at participating farmers markets and authorized farmers. A variety of fresh nutritious, unprepared locally grown fruits, vegetables and herbs may be purchased with the coupons.  Nutrition education is provided by the WIC Program to encourage participants to improve and expand their diets by adding fruits and vegetables they buy with their Farmers Market coupons.


The Official WIC program is available to low to moderate income pregnant women, recently delivered women, breastfeeding women, infants, and children up to age 5 who are at nutrition risk. Fathers can also bring their children to apply for WIC. You may apply for WIC if you are working or unemployed. Check the Income Guidelines Table to see if you are eligible for WIC. This website was created for women looking for WIC information and locations. We are also working towards adding other locations and services that may help out women.