WIC Nutrition Program Overview
About the Program
The Massachusetts Women, Infants and Children Nutrition (WIC) Program provides nutrition and health education, healthy food and other services free of charge to Massachusetts families who qualify. Participants receive checks to buy free healthy food such as milk, cheese, 100% fruit juices, cereals, infant formula, peanut butter, carrots, tuna, dried beans, and eggs. The WIC Program collaborates with the U.S. Department of Food and Agriculture to provide WIC participants with coupons, redeemable at Farmers’ Markets for fresh fruits and vegetables during the summer months. More...Service Offerings
WIC’s goal is to help keep pregnant and breastfeeding women and children under age 5 healthy. WIC provides:- Personalized nutrition consultations
- Checks to buy free, healthy food
- Referrals for medical and dental care, health insurance, childcare, housing and fuel assistance, and other services that can benefit the whole family.
WIC also offers immunizations screening and referrals, breastfeeding support, and nutrition and health workshops on a variety of topics including meal planning, maintaining a healthy weight, picky eaters, caring for a new baby, and shopping on a budget.
Populations Served
Pregnant women, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding women, children under 5.WIC is for all kinds of families: married and single parents, working or not working. If you are a father, mother, grandparent, foster parent or other legal guardian of a child under 5, you can apply for your child.
Eligibility Criteria
You can participate in WIC if you:- Live in Massachusetts
- Have a nutritional need (WIC staff can help determine this)
- Are a pregnant or breastfeeding woman or a child under 5
- Have a family income less than WIC guidelines
If you currently receive TAFDC, Food Stamps or MassHealth (Medicaid), you are automatically eligible for WIC. (MassHealth members with Family Assistance and CommonHealth coverage are NOT automatically income eligible.) Find out if you might be eligible.
Application Process
Contact your local WIC office or 1-800-WIC-1007 (1-800-942-1007) to schedule an appointment. A face-to-face interview is required.The following verifications must be provided to fully process an application:
- Proof of Income
- Proof of Date of Birth
- Proof of Address
- Proof of Identity
Contact Information
Massachusetts WIC Nutrition ProgramMassachusetts Department of Public Health
250 Washington St., 6th floor
Boston, MA 02108-4619
Telephone: 1-800-WIC-1007
TTY: 617-624-5992
Fax: 1-617-624-6179
Email: WICinfo.dph@state.ma.us
Languages: English, Spanish, French, Haitian, Portuguese
Office Hours
Most offices are open Monday through Friday. Many offices offer evening and Saturday appointments.Walk-ins are always welcome.Privacy Policy
Notice of Privacy PracticesThis information is provided by the Women, Infants and Children Nutrition Program within the Department of Public Health.