Frequently Asked Questions

General

What is WIC?

WIC is the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children. It is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service (USDA FNS) and administrated in Maine by the Department of Health and Human Services, Maine CDC. Services are provided by local WIC agencies statewide.

Who can participate in the Maine WIC Nutrition Program?

The Maine CDC WIC Nutrition Program serves income-eligible women who are pregnant, breastfeeding an infant from birth to 12 months, or less then 6 months postpartum, as well as infants and children up to their fifth birthday. Participants must live in Maine and have income less then 185% of the current federal poverty guideline (see current income guidelines) or be enrolled in the MaineCare, TANF or SNAP (formerly Food Stamps) programs. Working families, single dads, foster parents, and custodial grandparents may all be eligible to apply for WIC!

How many Maine citizens receive WIC benefits?

Approximately 18,000 Maine citizens currently receive WIC benefits.

Where are WIC services provided in Maine?

WIC participants can receive services at nearly 60 sites in Maine operated by eight local agency providers.

What services does WIC provide?

• All participants receive a nutrition and health risk assessment.
• Infants are weighed and measured at least 4 times during the first year to assess growth.
• All children are weighed and measured at least every 6 months, and have a hemoglobin screening test done at least once per year.
• All pregnant women are weighed frequently during their pregnancy to assess for proper weight gain.
• All participants receive personalized nutrition education directed to specific nutrition concerns or their personal request for information.
• Pregnant and breastfeeding women receive education and support about breastfeeding. When needed, a breastfeeding mother may receive an electric or manual breast pump to help her continue to provide breastmilk for her infant.
• All participants receive food benefits tailored to their specific needs.

What food benefits does WIC provide for women and children?

Women and children receive food benefits tailored according to their needs. The Maine WIC Nutrition Program has maximum food amounts set by the United States Department of Agriculture Food & Nutrition Services (USDA FNS), which funds the program nationwide. Foods and maximum amounts provided to WIC participants are listed below:

Milk (when needed, substitution with fortified soy beverage and/or calcium-set tofu may be provided for children and women):

• Children: ~16 ounces/day
• Pregnant women: ~23 ounces/day
• Exclusively breastfeeding women: ~25 ounces/day
• Postpartum women: ~16 ounces/day
• Breastfeeding women exclusively nursing 2 or more infants from same pregnancy: ~37 ounces/day

Cheese: up to 1 pound per month (substitutes for 3 quarts of milk)

Eggs

• Pregnant and postpartum women, children: 1 dozen per month
• Exclusively breastfeeding women: 2 dozen per month
• Breastfeeding women exclusively nursing 2 or more infants from same pregnancy: 3 dozen per month

100% fruit juice:

• Children: ~4 ounces/day
• Pregnant and exclusively breastfeeding women: ~4.5 ounces per day
• Postpartum women: ~3 ounces per day
• Breastfeeding women exclusively nursing >2 infants from same pregnancy: ~6 ounces per day

Fruits and vegetables: fresh, frozen and/or canned

• Children: $8 per month
• Pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women: $11 per month
• Breastfeeding women exclusively nursing 2 or more infants from same pregnancy: $16.50 per month

Breakfast cereals:

• 36 ounces per month (all children and women) (at least half of choices are primarily whole grain; all cereals must meet criteria for low sugar content and minimum iron fortification level; in addition, the Maine WIC food list identifies cereals which provide 400 gm folic acid per serving in order to help all women of childbearing age to obtain the necessary amount per day for birth defect prevention)

Whole grains: whole wheat bread, brown rice, oatmeal, and/or whole wheat or soft corn tortillas

• Children: 2 pounds/month
• Pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women: 1 pound/month
• Breastfeeding women exclusively nursing 2 or more infants from same pregnancy: 1.5 pounds per month

Peanut butter and/or legumes

• Children and postpartum women: choice of 18 ounces peanut butter or legumes (1 pound dried or 4 cans) per month
• Pregnant and exclusively breastfeeding women: 18 ounces peanut butter and choice of legumes (1 pound dried or 4 cans) per month
• Breastfeeding women exclusively nursing 2 or more infants from same pregnancy: 2-18 ounce jars of peanut butter and choice of legumes (1 pound dried or 4 cans) per month

Canned fish: light tuna, salmon, sardines (all water packed)

• Exclusively breastfeeding women, partially breastfeeding women with 2 or more infants from same pregnancy who are partially breastfed, pregnant women with more than 1 fetus: 30 ounces per month
• Breastfeeding women exclusively nursing 2 or more infants from same pregnancy: 45 ounces per month

What food benefits does WIC provide for infants?

Infants receive food benefits according to individual need, feeding choice (exclusive breastfed, partial breastfed, non-breastfed) and age:

Feeding Choice	Age	Food Item	Maximum amount WIC can provide
Exclusively breastfed	Birth-5 months	No formula or food
	6-12 months	Infant fruits and vegetables	2 jars (4 oz.) per day
		Infant meats	1 jar (2.5 oz.) per day
		Infant cereal	24 oz. per month
Partially breastfed	0-30 days	Formula	1 can powder
	1-3 months	Formula	12-14 oz. per day
	4-5 months	Formula	14-17 oz. per day
	6-12 months*	Formula	10-12 oz. per day
		Infant fruits and vegetables	1 jar (4 oz.) per day
		Infant cereal	24 oz. per month
Non-breastfed	0-3 months	Formula	26-28 oz. per day
	4-5 months	Formula	28-31 oz. per day
	6-12 months*	Formula	20-22 oz. per day
		Infant fruits and vegetables	1 jar (4 oz.) per day
		Infant cereal	24 oz. per month

* Infants 6 months and older who are prescribed a medical formula (hydrolysate, elemental, metabolic, or premature) may receive the 4-5 month formula amount if a medical condition exists that prevents them from initiating solid foods. The higher formula amount may be provided until they begin to eat solids.

Does it matter where I spend my WIC checks?

Many stores in Maine and some in New Hampshire accept Maine WIC checks. These stores must carry WIC approved foods. To find a store near you, visit the Find WIC Store page.

What does WIC consider as income?

WIC benefits are made available based on federal income guidelines. Income includes all cash before taxes earned by anyone who lives in the household. It also includes money from other sources such as Social Security benefits, public assistance, alimony or child support payments and unemployment compensation. Call your local WIC office for questions about income.

Frequently Asked Questions

Participants

What do I do if my checks are lost or stolen??

Contact your local WIC office immediately.

What should I do with formula that my baby does not need?

Return any unused infant formula to your local WIC office. Do not take it back to the store, or give it to someone else.

What do I need to do if my baby's formula gets changed?

Contact your local WIC office. They will tell you if you need to have a prescription from the doctor for the new formula. Any unused formula and WIC checks will need to be brought back to the WIC office before the staff can give you checks for the new formula.

What should I do if the amount of any of the foods on my checks is too much for me or my child to eat each month?

Talk to your WIC counselor. The amount of food on your checks may be changed to fit your needs.

I've heard that WIC gives out checks tha can be used at a farmer's market... How can I find out more?

During summer months, WIC provides farmer's market checks to breastfeeding moms, pregnant women, and children. This is a one-time, single issuance check that can be used at farm stands and/or farmer's markets authorized by WIC. Ask your local agency if you are elligible for this check.

In addition, your monthly fruit and vegetable check (the green check) can also be used at farm stands and/or farmer's markets authorized by WIC.

Does it matter where I spend my WIC checks?

Many stores in Maine and some in New Hampshire accept Maine WIC checks. These stores must carry WIC approved foods. Find WIC Stores in your county.

How do I provide feedback about my experience at the store?

Complete the Shopping Experience form online or via PDF and send back to us!

Why does WIC need to weigh and measure my child?

Your child's height and weight tell us a lot about her health. WIC weighs and measures a child regularly. How your child grows over time can identify a concern before it becomes a problem.

Why does WIC need to do a blood test?

Since WIC is a health and nutrition program, we check iron level in the blood. A low iron level can be an indication of anemia.

What should I do if I move to another town or state?

Contact your local WIC clinic before you move. They can give you the phone number of a WIC office near your new home. Ask your local WIC staff to provide you with the information you need before you move. They can give you information to take with you that will verify you have participated in the WIC program in Maine. Bring that information with you when you go to a new WIC office.

How often do I have to go to the WIC office or clinic?

You will be asked to visit your WIC office every one to three months. Your local WIC staff will tell you what you need to bring for each visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Breastfeeding

What does WIC offer for breastfeeding support and advice?

The Maine WIC Nutrition Program supports the American Academy of Pediatrics position on breastfeeding.* Unless medically contraindicated, WIC counseling staff members encourage pregnant women to consider breastfeeding for the first year of their infant's life, and to continue to breastfeed as long as it is mutually desired by mother and child. WIC supports exclusive breastfeeding and establishment of adequate milk supply by limiting the amount of supplemental formula provided in the first 30 days of an infant's life to no more than 1 can of powdered infant formula. WIC counseling staff members assist parents with breastfeeding problems or barriers, and refer mothers to qualified lactation counselors as needed. WIC can provide a manual or electric breast pump when needed to help a mother continue to breastfeed. WIC food benefits for breastfeeding women provides the maximum monetary value per month. * American Academy of Pediatrics, Section on Breastfeeding, Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk, Pediatrics: 2005; 115; 496-506.

If I'm breastfeeding, why should I enroll?

There are many benefits the WIC program provides to mothers and children:

• Mothers get an enhanced food package
• Mothers are elligible for food benefits until the child's first birthday
• Breastfed babies get more fruits, vegetables and meats at 6 months of age than non-breastfed babies.
• WIC provides access to electric breast pumps free of charge for brestfeeding mothers.
• Breastfeeding mothers receive support from lactation experts, IBCLCs and CLCs.

What if I need breastfeeding help outside of WIC office hours?

Some WIC agencies have breastfeeding peer counselor programs. Peer counselors are moms who have, or currently are, breasfeeding, and can offer support and answer questions about your concerns. Peer counselors are available by phone during the day in the evening and on weekends. For more information, contact your local WIC office.

Frequently Asked Questions

Healthcare Providers

When WIC benefits do not provide enough infant formula for a baby, can the WIC client receive more formula from the Maine WIC Nutrition Program if the health care provider prescribes it?

Unfortunately, WIC can only provide up to the maximum amounts of infant formula listed above. WIC has always been a "supplemental" program and was never intended to meet all of a baby's nutrition needs. Those who need additional formula and cannot afford to buy it should check with their local WIC office to see if there is a food bank or other place in the community that can help.

What formula can be provided for a partially breastfed or nonbreastfed infant enrolled in WIC?

To contain program costs, USDA requires the Maine CDC WIC Nutrition Program to have a rebate contract with a sole source provider for standard cow's milk and soy infant formulas. Maine WIC is part of a multi-state consortium for the infant formula rebate contract. This increases the program's ability to get the best price possible for infant formula, thus significantly saving financial resources which can be used to provide services to more Maine families.

The current rebate contract is with Abbott Nutrition for the provision of Similac formulas:

• Similac Advance
• Similac Isomil
• Similac Total Comfort (requires standing order form)
• Similac Sensitive (requires standing order form)
• Similac for Spit-Up (requires standing order form)

Partially breastfed and nonbreastfed infants who have a qualifying medical condition may receive a medical formula (hydrolysate, elemental, metabolic, hypercaloric or premature) if the medical condition warrants the use of such a product. Examples of qualifying medical conditions include but are not limited to:

• Prematurity
• Low birth weight
• Failure to thrive
• Malabsorption
• Severe allergies, including allergic vomiting
• Metabolic disorder, including genetic conditions
  

WIC participants prescribed hydrolysate, premature or hypercaloric formulas with appropriate medical documentation will receive their formula from WIC.

WIC participants who receive MaineCare and are prescribed elementals or metabolics with appropriate medical documentation will have their medical formula covered by MaineCare.

WIC infants not enrolled with MaineCare will receive their medical formula from the Maine WIC Nutrition Program. Monthly maximum amounts apply for all medical formulas.

What does a health care provider need to do in order to obtain a medical formula for a WIC infant who is enrolled in the MaineCare Program?

Fill out the form Maine CDC WIC Nutrition Program/MaineCare Request/Prior Authorization for Medical Formula/WIC-Eligible Nutritionals. This form includes information needed for the MaineCare Prior Authorization process. Fax the form to the WIC office which provides services for the WIC infant or to the Maine CDC WIC Nutrition Program State Agency at 207-287-3993. WIC staff will process the request upon receipt. WIC will fax the Rx form to MaineCare for prior authorization if the formula is to be covered by MaineCare.

If the formula has been approved by MaineCare, and more formula is needed than what was originally prescribed, the health care provider must update the request with MaineCare. If the medical formula is being provided by WIC, and an amount greater than what the WIC program can provide is needed, initiate a request for additional formula to be provided by MaineCare. Note: If the infant is receiving standard cow's milk or soy-based formula, MaineCare will not provide formula above the amount that WIC provides.

Who can prescribe medical formula in Maine?

Only health care providers with prescriptive authority in Maine may prescribe medical formulas. This includes those with the following credentials: MD, DO, PA, NP

What is the maximum amount of time a request for medical formula is approved?

A medical formula request is approved for up to 6 months. WIC staff will inform the parent when a renewal is needed, and ask the parent to contact the provider, or will send a blank form to the prescriber's office.

Can children older than 12 months and women who require a medical formula get WIC benefits?

Yes, a medical formula can be provided for children and women who have a qualifying medical condition which warrants the use of such a product. If the child or woman is enrolled in the MaineCare Program, the formula will be provided by that program. If the child or woman is not enrolled in the MaineCare Program, WIC will provide the necessary formula.

What foods does WIC provide for children and women who need a medical formula?

Maine WIC can provide all other WIC foods as prescribed by the health care provider to a child or woman who receives a medical formula. The health care provider may indicate on the Maine CDC WIC Nutrition Program/MaineCare Request/Prior Authorization for Medical Formula/WIC-Eligible Nutritionals form if there are any foods that must be excluded from the WIC food benefits or the HCP can defer to the WIC Registered Dietitian for assessment of provision of supplemental foods.

What can WIC provide for women or children with cow's milk protein allergy?

Soy products may be provided to women upon their request. Fortified soy beverage and/or tofu can be provided to children for the following reasons: severe lactose intolerance, cow's milk protein allergy, adherence to a vegan diet or cultural preference. These items are available after an assessment by WIC or upon recommendation from the HCP. A prescription is not require to issue soy beverage or tofu to children.

Who can a health care provider call if more information is needed about a medical formula prescription?

The health care provider may contact the local WIC office if there are questions about a formula prescription request. The health care provider may also contact a nutritionist/dietitian at the State Agency at 1-800-437-9300.

Can WIC provide reduced fat/lowfat milk for children aged 12-23 months?

Yes. Whole milk is the standard for issuance; 2% or 1  ½%, 1% or nonfat milk may be substituted for children for whom overweight or obesity is a concern, based on individual nutrition assessment and consultation with health care provider if necessary. 

Can a child older than 24 months or a woman receive whole milk if medical justification is provided?

Yes; however, the child or woman must also be receiving a medical formula or food. Whole milk may not be issued solely for the purpose of managing or enhancing body weight.

What feeding products are not provided by the Maine WIC Nutrition Program?

According to USDA federal regulations, the following items cannot be provided by the WIC Program:

• An apparatus or device (enteral feeding tubes, bags, or pumps) used to administer WIC formulas
• Thickening agents
• Flavor packets
• Parenteral or intravenous nutrition products
• Enzymes
• Oral rehydration or electrolyte solutions
• Medicines or drugs
• Vitamin, mineral or herbal supplements

Why does the Maine CDC WIC Nutrition Program perform hematological testing?

USDA, which funds the Maine CDC WIC Nutrition Program, requires a complete nutrition assessment at enrollment. Part of that assessment process includes information on hematological parameters. A hemoglobin level is done or requested from the health care provider to determine if nutrition risk may be present for iron-deficiency anemia. Referral for a lead screening test is also provided to the parents of children who are 12 and/or 24 months of age.

How often does the Maine WIC Program perform hematological testing for hemoglobin?

WIC obtains a hemoglobin value during the initial certification visit for each WIC applicant. Pregnant women are tested once during their certification as a pregnant woman; if the hemoglobin is available from the health care provider, WIC staff will send for the test result. Breastfeeding women are tested once during their certification as a breastfeeding woman. Postpartum women are tested once during their certification as a postpartum woman. Infants are not tested between the ages of 9-12 months.? Children are tested once a year.

Can WIC use a physician's hemoglobin or hematocrit test result?

WIC can use a hemoglobin or hematocrit test result obtained by the health care provider when the value and date are provided by the health care provider's office. The hemoglobin value must be no older than 90 days before the WIC certification visit, and must reflect the WIC participant's category (i.e., a test result for a pregnant woman must have been done after the beginning of the pregnancy).

Why does the Maine CDC WIC Nutrition Program not allow cow's milk for WIC participants until one year of age?

The Maine WIC Nutrition Program cannot provide cow's milk before the age of one, according to USDA Federal Regulations. The Committee on Nutrition of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends the consumption of breast milk or iron-fortified infant formula, along with age-appropriate solid foods, during the first twelve months of life. The AAP recommends that whole cow's milk and low-iron formulas not be used during the first year of life (AAP, The Use of Whole Cow's Milk in Infancy, Pediatrics, 1992, 89:1105-1109).

Frequently Asked Questions

Vendors

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 fresh fruits and vegetables.

How are stores authorized to accept WIC checks?

Each State agency is responsible for authorizing stores to accept WIC checks. At a minimum, the state agency 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 49,000 stores are currently authorized to accept WIC checks.

Is there a cost for WIC authorization?

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

Must State agencies authorize all qualified stores that apply?

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

How can stores provide feedback about an experience with a participant?

Please complete this participant report form and send back to the State Agency.

How do participants provide feedback about an experience at a store?

Please complete this online Shopping Experience form.

Frequently Asked Questions

Farmers

How do I apply to be an authorized farmer?

Please complete and send in this farmer application.

What foods can I sell as an authorized farmer?

Farmers can sell fresh fruits and vegetables grown in Maine.

Where can I find a list of authorized farmers?

Click here for a list of farmers.