In Oregon WIC offers assistance to eligible pregnant women, new mothers, infants and young children who are living on low incomes and who can prove nutritional risk. The program is also known as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children and is administered by the Oregon Health Authority. Each state in the U.S. is provided federal funding to implement this program individually. While some of the eligibility guidelines are set by the U.S. government, the states themselves are responsible for setting additional criteria and providing specific benefits for eligible applicants.

Potential applicants must apply at a local WIC office in OR and are required to submit proof of their income, residency and nutritional status. If an applicant is approved for benefits, he or she could receive financial assistance in purchasing nutritious foods, health education, counseling and healthcare referrals. To find out more about WIC program eligibility qualifications, how to apply and the benefits available to qualifying beneficiaries, read the following sections.

What are the WIC requirements in Oregon?

Before Oregon WIC benefits are provided to an applicant, a representative must analyze several factors to ensure the program’s eligibility criteria are met. These criteria have to do with income and the household situation of the applicant. More specifically, there are four basic WIC eligibility guidelines that must be met by an applicant to obtain program enrollment approval. The applicant must:

• Be a resident in Oregon
• Be one of the following:
  • A pregnant woman
  • A postpartum or breastfeeding mother
  • An infant
  • A child under five years of age
• Have a low income, according to current guidelines
• Be at nutritional risk or show a nutritional need

To meet the low-income WIC qualifications, an applicant’s income is compared to the current Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Since the FPL is created by the government and can change annually, the income guidelines set for this government assistance program can also change. To find out more about low-income qualifications, review our helpful guide.

Note: Oregon WIC eligibility low-income requirements are automatically met by applicants who already receive benefits from government assistance programs, such as Medicaid or the Oregon Health Plan.

How to Apply for WIC in Oregon

If you want to complete an Oregon WIC application, you must contact a local agency and set up an appointment to meet with a representative. The application process must be completed in person because the representative must perform a nutritional risk assessment on you or your child. You may need to fill out paperwork, including an application, as you meet with a representative, but the process must be completed in the agency.

While you cannot apply for WIC online, you can utilize a prescreening tool to see if you may qualify for program benefits. This online tool asks for information about you and your family, including your income and dietary habits. The answers you provide to the online prescreening tool are not shared with the WIC office and do not count as completing an application. If the prescreening tool concludes that you do not qualify for program benefits but you think you meet all the qualifications, contact your local agency. You can still set up an appointment with a representative who can personally analyze your eligibility status with the program.

What can you get with WIC in Oregon?

Once you learn how to apply for WIC in Oregon and find you are approved for the program, you can receive various types of assistance. Your agency representative will analyze your nutritional assets and household situation to determine what needs you or your child have. The program offers financial assistance to purchase nutritious and approved foods. In addition to these benefits, professional counseling and education are also provided, if needed. You can receive education that teaches about:

• Breastfeeding.
• Meal planning.
• Nutritious foods for young children.
• Foods that pregnant women should eat.

In addition to these WIC benefits, the program also provides healthcare referrals, if you or your child is in need of medical assistance. You may also be provided information or referrals to other government assistance programs or social service help, if it is determined that you may qualify for these programs.

How to Prepare for a WIC Appointment in Oregon

If you are wondering “Where is a WIC office near me in OR?” you can call the program’s toll-free number to ask for locations that are convenient for you. You can also look up a list of offices online. Once you call and set up an appointment, you should get ready for the questions the agency representative will ask you during the meeting. Since the WIC eligibility guidelines involve your income and residency, you may need to provide proof that you meet these requirements. It is important that you bring specific documents and information with you to your meeting, including:

• Your identification, such as a driver’s license or government-issued identification card.
• Proof of residency, such as a utility bill.
• Income proof, such as paycheck stubs or child support payment receipts.

You may question “What is WIC income guidelines and how are they calculated?” so you can understand what exact income proof you should bring. In addition to proof of earnings you or other household members bring in each month, you should also bring proof of additional government benefits you receive, statements for dividends or interest on bank accounts and proof of self-employment income. Additionally, you can bring in proof of excessive student loans or other recurring expenses that may show that you are currently living with a low income.

How to Check Your WIC Balance in Oregon

Once you are approved for benefits, your Oregon WIC balance is loaded onto an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card. This card can be used just like a debit card to buy nutritionally approved foods at authorized retailers throughout the state. The amount of WIC benefits you receive each month is dependent upon your current income and needs, which are assessed by the agency representative during your initial meeting. The representative will also help you set up your EBT account so you can begin using your benefits to purchase foods.

The OR WIC program provides an extensive list of the types of foods that you can purchase with these benefits. It is important that you keep track of the foods you can purchase, grocery stores you can shop at and your current balance. To find out more, download our comprehensive guide.