Onondaga Health Department

What Will I Need For My Appointment?

1. Proof of Identification
2. Proof of Address
3. Proof of Medicaid, SNAP or TANF participation OR Proof of Income

For a full list of documents that can be used as proofs, click here

You may also be asked to provide:

Height, weight and/or bloodwork (a screenshot from your Patient Portal or Health Care Provider Visit Summary Form, or a WIC Medical Referral Form completed by your Health Care Provider)

• • Proof of pregnancy (sonogram photo, statement from your Health Care Provider with your due date)
  • WIC Medical Documentation Form (required if you or your child is on a special formula)

How Should I Prepare For My Appointment?

1. Submit your documents to us before your appointment using the secure link that we texted to you (if you did not receive a link, or if your link is not working please call our office at 315-435-3304)
2. Review your WIC Rights and Responsibilities
3. Learn about how to use the eWIC card
4. Download the WIC2Go App: Apple Android

What Should I Expect at My Appointment?

Your appointment will take about 30 minutes to an hour, and has 2 parts

Part One - Eligibility

A WIC Support Staff will:

• Review the documents you submitted to ensure you meet WIC eligibility criteria
• Ask additional questions required by the New York State WIC Program – all information you share is kept confidential
• Provide you with or mail your eWIC card
• For in-person appointments, WIC Support Staff may also conduct a health screening by measuring your height, weight and performing a finger stick blood test (to check hemoglobin levels which screen for iron-deficiency anemia)

Part Two - Health and Nutrition Assessment

A WIC Nutritionist will:

• Listen to your concerns and needs, and provide nutrition education tailored to you and your family
• Provide breastfeeding/chestfeeding support and a referral to a WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor (as appropriate)
• Provide referrals to other programs and services you may need
• Issue monthly benefits to your eWIC card, and provide education that will help you with your food budget
• Explain how to shop with your eWIC card

WIC Nutrition Services

WIC Nutritionists are experts in the field of nutrition, and provide tailored nutrition education and counseling.

At your WIC appointments, you’ll have the opportunity to discuss your family’s needs, concerns and goals with a WIC Nutritionist.

Your WIC Nutritionist will:

• Conduct a health and nutrition assessment using information you share, as well as height, weight and bloodwork measurements (if available)
• Help support you and your family in making healthy choices
• Offer nutrition education materials to assist with ….
• Provide referrals to other programs, such as lead testing, home visiting programs, tobacco cessation and substance use, mental health, dental care, SNAP, and more

WIC Health Outcomes

WIC food packages are based on research that aims to reduce the prevalence of diabetes, obesity, and heart disease

For pregnant individuals, WIC participation:

• Increases consumption of key nutrients, including iron, protein, calcium, Vitamin A and C

• Reduces likelihood of adverse birth outcomes, including reduced risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, and infant mortality

• Increases breastfeeding initiation and duration

For children, WIC participation:

• Reduced obesity rates among toddlers by 9% from 2010 to 2018
• Improves dental health and immunization rates
• Improves cognitive development and performance in school
• Reduces prevalence of food insecurity by 20%

Online Nutrition Education

Certain types of WIC appointments can now be completed online from the comfort of your home, anytime day or night that works for you (even when the WIC office is closed)!

Online Nutrition Education is a tool that includes over 40 lessons, recipes featuring WIC approved foods, and a blog with stories from real WIC participants.

Ask your WIC Nutritionist about Online Nutrition Education at your next appointment!

Nutrition Resources

Recipes

Nutrition Articles

WIC's Got You, and You've Got This!

Whether it is providing individualized breastfeeding/chestfeeding education and support, a referral to a WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor, or a breast pump - WIC is here to help you achieve your goals!

Why is Breastfeeding Important?

• Breast milk is the perfect food for your baby—it has the right ingredients in just the right amounts, and it changes as your baby grows so they get exactly what they need at the right time.

• Breast milk is always available and at the right temperature—you can feed your baby any time and any place.

• Breast milk is easy to digest—a breastfed baby may have less gas and belly pain than a baby who is fed formula.

• Breast milk has antibodies that help protect your baby from many illnesses.

• Breastfeeding can reduce your baby’s risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

• Breastfeeding can help prevent some types of cancer.

• Breastfeeding is cheaper than bottle feeding.

Breastfeeding Resources

Shopping with Your eWIC Card

WIC Forms

Resources for Healthcare Providers

Referrals