Eligibility guidelines for the North Dakota Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, or WIC have increased based on federal poverty levels.
Colleen Pearce is director for the North Dakota WIC Program. She says the change increases the amount of income a family can make and still qualify for services. She says the increase will amount to about $100 extra a month for families of four. That family of four can earn up to $3,970 a month to qualify. Pearce says the WIC Program is funded by the US Department of Agriculture, and has done a lot to improve the health, growth and development of children over the past 40 years.
"The actual components on WIC have shown that babies who participate are healthier and children who participate in WIC reach that school age ready to learn; and we talk about the importance of having those nutrients available for growth and development. And so the WIC foods are specifically targeted toward nutrients that are best designed for pregnant moms as their babies are growing, as well as nutrients that are important for anyone in a growing environment."
WIC services are available in every county in North Dakota for all eligible pregnant women and children up to 5 years of age.