Ocean County WIC Program Announcement

WIC – the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children – has released the new income guideline, effective June 1, 2023.  The WIC Program aims to safeguard the health of low-income women, infants, and children up to age five who are at nutritional risk.  Our services provide nutritious foods to supplement diets, healthy eating education, breastfeeding education and support, along with referrals to health care and other social programs.

The WIC Program income eligibility standards are based on the Federal Department of Health and Human Services Income Poverty Guidelines, which is limited to residents whose gross income (i.e., income before deductions for income taxes, social security, insurance premiums, bonds, etc.) is equal to or less than the income poverty guidelines of 185%.  For example, a family of four could qualify for WIC benefits with a total household gross income of $5 or less per year.

To learn more about the WIC in Ocean County, we encourage you to call (732-370-0122), email (wic@ochd.org) or visit our webpage (www.ochd.org/wic).  WIC is conveniently located throughout Ocean County in Lakewood, Toms River and Manahawkin, along with a mobile clinic that offers services throughout the county.  We are open Monday through Friday and provide evening hours.  Call us today to schedule an appointment:  732-370-0122.

“WIC continues to offer services both in-person and remotely.  Contact us and we can let you know exactly which appointment is right for you” states Kim Belanger, Assistant WIC Coordinator.  “A lot of families think that they don’t qualify for WIC.  However, when we go over eligibility with them, they are happily surprised they qualify.  WIC is for families that need some extra support or families that have gone through a financial change.  If you are uncertain if you are eligible, contact our office and we can set you up with a WIC representative to review your eligibility.  Benefits for fruits and vegetables continue to be at an all-time increase for the remainder of the summer months.  Combine that with benefits to the local Farmers’ Market, making now a great time to be part of the WIC Program.  Give us a call today.”

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

1. mail:

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or

2. fax:

(833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or

3. email:

program.intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.