Starting this month, the Lewis County Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program will serve only people who live in Lewis County, according to a news release from the county.
Anyone applying for WIC at Lewis County Public Health and Social Services must show proof that they live in the county.
This change helps Lewis County manage its public health funds responsibly while continuing to support the health and nutrition of mothers, infants and children in the community, the release stated.
Proof of living in the county must:
• Show a name and home address (street, city, state and ZIP code). Post office boxes do not count as proof of address.
• Be dated within the last 90 days
• Belong to the resident
Valid proof includes:
• Washington driver’s license or ID
• ProviderOne card with a Lewis County code
• Utility bill (gas, water, phone, etc.)
• Medicaid, SNAP or TANF letter
• Rent or mortgage bill
• Pay stub or military earnings statement
• Health insurance or Social Security card with an address
For residents who already get WIC benefits from Lewis County Public Health and Social Services but live in another county, they can keep getting WIC until their current certification period ends. WIC staff will help move benefits to a WIC office closer to the resident’s home so they don’t lose any services.
Meanwhile, the state also made an announcement about WIC funding on Thursday as the program’s funding faces peril amid the ongoing federal government shutdown.
The Washington state Department of Health (DOH) has received additional funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), allowing the state to continue providing food benefits and supporting its currently reduced 11-member administrative team for the state’s WIC Nutrition Program through mid-to-late November, according to a news release from DOH.
The estimate is based on current WIC redemption rates. If redemption rates increase, available funding might run out sooner.
DOH continues to closely monitor the situation and will provide updates as they become available on the federal government shutdown webpage, available at https://doh.wa.gov/federal-government-shutdown.
To learn more about WIC, visit lewiscountywa.gov/departments/public-health/wic/.
For questions or help, call 360-740-1255.
