Texas families encouraged to apply for WIC benefits
Since only about half of eligible Texas children receive WIC benefits, the Texas Department of Health and Human Services encourages families to apply for WIC benefits. FOX 26 Consumer Reporter Heather Sullivan has more.
Houston – The Texas Department of Health and Human Services encourages families to apply for WIC benefits because less than half of eligible Texas children receive them.
WIC is USDA’s supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children, but anyone with a low income and raising a child under the age of 5 can apply.
Sabreen Jalil of Lamarque, Texas, turned to WIC when she was pregnant with her first child.
“I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes while pregnant with my son, and WIC provided me with the nutritional support I needed to raise him as a mother with gestational diabetes,” Jalil said.
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She says WIC has also helped her breastfeed two babies born with tongue-tie diagnoses.
“One of the areas I needed help with was breastfeeding my son, as he was diagnosed with tongue roll syndrome. It was really difficult to get him to hold and breastfeed properly.” Jalil explained.
WIC serves 800,000 Texas women, infants, and children each month, but only about 45% of children receive benefits, according to USDA data.
The Texas Department of Health and Human Services is encouraging families to apply in celebration of 50 years of serving Texans since 1974, when the service began in Conroe.
“At the time, there were high rates of anemia and malnutrition, so the WIC program focused on providing families with iron-fortified milk. But over time, that changed and we started to focus more on breastfeeding. “The focus was on providing critical foods with important nutrients at critical stages,” said Amanda Hovis of Texas WIC.
Most participants are mothers or pregnant women, but anyone with children under the age of five can apply, including fathers, foster parents, guardians, grandparents, and more.
“Some clinics have in-person classes where you can create groups of moms and talk together. We also have cooking classes and we also offer one-on-one counseling,” Hovis said. spoke.
Hovis said participating in WIC reduces the risk of low birth weight, preterm birth, and infants needing NICU care.
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Jalil says this has made a huge difference in raising a healthy baby.
“He’s progressing well, I think. He’s on a growth curve and it was really important for them to explain the importance of that,” she said.
Applicant’s income must be less than 185% of the federal poverty guidelines. However, even if you don’t qualify, you can still take advantage of WIC’s free online resources and location hotline.
For more information or to apply, visit TexasWIC.org/apply or call 800-942-3678.
Sullivan’s Smart Sense Consumer News Houston
