Home Page > News : POS Software that supports WIC | Women, Infants, Children

JPMA Proud to Support WIC - Women, Infants, Children

JPMA's PoS software, PoS Designer, now supports WIC!

What is WIC?

WIC is the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children. WIC provides nutritious foods (primarily through retail grocery stores), nutrition counseling, and referrals to health care and social services. WIC serves low-income pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women, infants and children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk. Nearly 7.8 million people get WIC benefits each month.

Where is WIC available?

WIC is available in all 50 States, 33 Indian Tribal Organizations, America Samoa, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

What foods does WIC provide?

WIC provides infant formula, infant and adult cereal and juice, eggs, milk, cheese, peanut butter, and dried beans or peas. Some WIC participants also receive canned tuna and carrots.

How are stores authorized to accept WIC checks?

Each State is responsible for authorizing stores to accept WIC checks. At a minimum, the State will consider the prices of foods, the business integrity of the store's owner, and the variety and quantity of foods available in the store. Nearly 45,000 stores are currently authorized to accept WIC checks.

When are stores authorized?

States authorize stores at different times. Interested persons should contact the State agency for further information. The name and phone number for each State WIC Director is available at www.fns.usda.gov/wic or by contacting the State Health Department.

Is there a cost for WIC authorization?

No. There are no fees for the WIC authorization process.

Must States authorize all qualified stores that apply?

No. States must authorize enough stores to ensure that WIC participants have access to WIC foods.

WIC At A Glance

Population Served:

The WIC target population are low-income, nutritionally at risk:

Pregnant women (through pregnancy and up to 6 weeks after birth or after pregnancy ends).
Breastfeeding women (up to infant's 1^st birthday)
Nonbreastfeeding postpartum women (up to 6 months after the birth of an infant or after pregnancy ends)
Infants (up to 1^st birthday). WIC serves 45 percent of all infants born in the United States.
Children up to their 5^th birthday.

Benefits

The following benefits are provided to WIC participants:

Supplemental nutritious foods
Nutrition education and counseling at WIC clinics
Screening and referrals to other health, welfare and social services

Program Delivery

WIC is not an entitlement program as Congress does not set aside funds to allow every eligible individual to participate in the program. WIC is a Federal grant program for which Congress authorizes a specific amount of funds each year for the program. WIC is

administered at the Federal level by FNS
administered by 88 WIC state agencies, through approximately 46,000 authorized retailers.
WIC operates through 2,000 local agencies in 10,000 clinic sites, in 50 State health departments, 33 Indian Tribal Organizations, American Samoa, District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

Examples of where WIC services are provided:

county health departments
hospitals
mobile clinics (vans)
community centers
schools
public housing sites
migrant health centers and camps
Indian Health Service facilities

info from: FNS USDA