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Furloughed federal workers can apply for WIC benefits

Posted at 6:20 PM, Jan 22, 2019
and last updated 2019-01-23 11:11:45-05

Federal workers furloughed due to the government shutdown can now apply for WIC benefits.

The Cascade City-County Health Department’s Family Services Division said the program is continuing despite the government shutdown.

WIC, or the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women Infants and Children, is for lower income women who are pregnant, have infants, or have young children (up to age 5) who are at nutritional health risk.

WIC benefits include:

  • Nutrition assessment, learning, and guidance to improve eating behavior
  • Access to health care programs plus referral to private and public health care providers if needed
  • Food vouchers for supplemental, highly nutritious foods such as iron-fortified cereal, milk & cheese, eggs, 100% juice, peanut butter, canned/dried beans, infant formula, fruits & vegetables, and whole grains
  • Breastfeeding education and support

Eligibility for benefits depends on the household income, number of people in the household, and whether or not the furloughed worker has filed for unemployment.

Proof of income for the last 30 days is required to apply.

If you want to learn more about applying for WIC benefits, please call the Great Falls WIC office at 406-454-6953 or email them at wic@cascadecountymt.gov.

For more information, please visit the City-County Health Department’s website.

-Reported by Joe Huisinga/MTN News