WIC - Women, Infants & Children

WIC benefits make it easier for you to shop for healthy food, and can be used at participating grocery stores and farmers markets within New York State.

The WIC benefits cover foods including:

• Baby Food
• Brown Rice
• Canned Fish
• Cereal
• Cheese
• Dried or Canned Beans/Peas
• Eggs
• Fruit Juice
• Fruits and Vegetables
• Infant Formula
• Milk
• Peanut Butter
• Tofu
• Tortillas
• Whole Grain Bread
• Whole Wheat Pasta
• Yogurt

Due to the formula shortage, the NYS WIC formulary has alternate options for a limited time.  Depending on the formula you receive, you may be able to temporarily purchase a combination of formula brands and alternate container sizes.  If you can't find your assigned formula in the stores, the following resources are available:

See a list of WIC-approved baby formulas in New York State.

Learn more about foods and formula from New York State's WIC Vendors.

Please review the household size and income per pay periods to help determine if you're eligible for WIC benefits:

Effective June 2024 - June 2025
Pregnant individuals count as two people

One person household:
Annual: $27,861
Monthly: $2,322
Twice-monthly: $1,161
Bi-weekly: $1,072
Weekly: $536

Two person household:
Annual: $37,814
Monthly: $3,152
Twice-monthly: $1,576
Bi-weekly: $1,455
Weekly: $728

Three person household:
Annual: $47,767
Monthly: $3,981
Twice-monthly: $1,991
Bi-weekly: $1,838
Weekly: $919

Four person household:
Annual: $57,720
Monthly: $4,810
Twice-monthly: $2,405
Bi-weekly: $2,220
Weekly: $1,110

Five person household:
Annual: $67,673
Monthly: $5,640
Twice-monthly: $2,820
Bi-weekly: $2,603
Weekly: $1,302

Six person household:
Annual: $77,626
Monthly: $6,469
Twice-monthly: $3,235
Bi-weekly: $2,986
Weekly: $1,493

Seven person household:
Annual: $87,579
Monthly: $7,299
Twice-monthly: $3,650
Bi-weekly: $3,369
Weekly: $1,685

Eight person household:
Annual: $97,532
Monthly: $8,128
Twice-monthly: $4,064
Bi-weekly: $3,752
Weekly: $1,876

For each additional person:
Annual: +$9,953
Monthly: +$830
Twice-monthly: +$415
Bi-weekly: +$383
Weekly: +$192

To find out if you are eligible for WIC and to begin enrollment, please call the WIC office at 518-432-4033.

Appointments can be done virtually or in person.

We offer breastfeeding discussion groups for anyone thinking about or planning to breastfeed. Bring your partner, family, or friends - anyone in your support system!  It's free to attend!

Share questions and learn facts about breastfeeding and all of its great benefits.

Discussion topics include:

• Is breastfeeding for me?
• Breastfeeding when pregnant
• Breastfeeding in the hospital
• Postpartum breastfeeding
• How long should I breastfeed?
• Breastfeeding at work/school
• Breastfeeding and relationships

Signing up for a group is simple!  Ask a WIC staff member at your next appointment, or call the office at 518-432-4033.

Upcoming Dates (In-person only)

• Friday September 20, 2024 from 1 - 2 p.m.
• Friday October 11, 2024 from 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
• Friday November 15, 2024 from 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
• Friday December 13, 2024 from 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.

*Future dates to be determined

September - October 2024

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

How to do a breast self-exam:

A breast self-exam along with regular physical exams by a doctor, mammography, ultrasound, or MRI can be a useful and important screening tool.

• Examine your breasts in a mirror with your hands on hips.
  • If you see the following changes, bring them to your doctor's attention:
    • Dimpling, puckering, or bulging of the skin
    • A nipple that has changed position or inverted (pushed inward)
    • Redness, soreness, rash, or swelling
• Raise your arms and examine your breasts
  • For for the same changes noted above.
• Look for signs of breast fluid
  • This could be watery, milky, or yellow fluid, or blood
• Feel for breast lumps while lying down
  • Use your right hand to feel your left breast, and your left hand to feel your right breast
  • Use a firm, smooth touch with the first few fingers, keeping fingers flat and together
  • Press down with your fingers and move them in a circular motion
  • Examine the entire breast - from your collarbone to the top of your abdomen and from your armpit to your cleavage
• Feel your breasts for lumps while standing or sitting
  • Examine the entire breast, as noted above.

Call your doctor if you notice a lump or any other change that new or worrisome.

Learn more about breast self-exams.

Breastfeeding Corner:

Recognizing Infant Hunger Cues

As a new mom, you may be wondering how often and how much to feed your baby. Your baby will give you signs to let you know when they are hungry and full. It may take some time, but you'll learn exactly what these signs are. The WIC breastfeeding staff can help you learn your baby's cues.

Signs your baby is hungry:

• Fists moving to mouth
• Head turning to look for breast
• Becoming more alert and active
• Sucking on hands or lip smacking
• Opening and closing mouth

Many people think crying is the only sign that their baby is hungry. But it's actually a sign of distress. Hungry babies will show signs of hunger before they begin to cry. Watching for these signs and responding early, may help prevent them from crying.  Once a baby is crying it's harder to latch!

Signs your baby is full:

• Baby releases or "falls off" your breast
• Baby turns away from your nipple
• Baby relaxes their body and opens their fists

If your baby finishes eating on one breast and seems full, trying burping your baby and changing their diaper (if needed), then offer the other breast. If your baby doesn't seem interested or doesn't want to latch, they may not be hungry anymore. Some babies may eat from both sides at every feeding, while others may only eat from one side.

Learn more about baby's hunger cues.

Have breastfeeding questions? Call the WIC office at 518-432-4033 or peer counselor Jackie at 518-649-3885

WIC Reminders:

Don't forget to use your benefits! Utilizing your WIC benefits helps our program receive appropriate funding to continue to serve our community.

Breastfeeding discussion groups: Each month, our peer counselor holds a breastfeeding discussion group for pregnant and postpartum families to learn about different breastfeeding topics. Please call the office if you're interested in attending. More information is listed above.

Farmers' market coupons expire on November 30. If you need  a list of approved farmers' markets, please contact the office.

Increased fruit and vegetable cash value benefit: The temporary increase of the fruits and vegetables cash value benefit (CVB) amounts for women and children has been made permanent. You should now continue to see the increased value on your benefits balance. Please continue to check your benefit balance before shopping.

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/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-
508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, 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[1]3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
fax: 833-256-1665 or 202-690-7442; or
email: [email protected]

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

For other complaints or to request a Fair Hearing contact:

Mail: WIC Program Director NYSDOH, Riverview Center 150 Broadway, 6th Floor, Albany, N.Y., 12204
Phone: 518-402-7093;
Fax: 518-402-7348; or email: [email protected]