Southern Seven Health Department issued the following announcement on Sept. 22.
The Illinois Department of Human Services’ (IDHS) is now offering state-wide use of Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) for the Women, Infants & Children’s Nutrition Program (WIC). The new Illinois eWIC card makes this federal nutritional service a more positive experience for both families and retailers.
Until recently, recipients of the WIC program were given food vouchers they could use at authorized vendors. With the new eWIC benefit delivery system, clients will use a WIC card that is similar to a debit card. Participants will see more food choices and experience faster, more flexible, and easier shopping, with a more secure transaction process for families and retailers. The new EBT delivery also provides a more private and discreet transaction for WIC families.
With the eWIC card, families will be able to purchase food as needed and not all at once, as is the process with the previous paper voucher system, with all family benefits available on one card. The new eWIC system, which is already in use in some states, is designed to reduce errors because approved foods, effective dates and benefit amounts are validated by the system, and not cashiers, at the time of transaction.
WIC is a Federal Nutrition Program that provides nutrition education, nutrition counseling, breastfeeding support, nutritious foods, and referral to other services. The program ensures healthy pregnancies, birth outcomes, and growth and development for children up to age five.
Some of the foods included in the program are whole wheat bread and tortillas, cereal, milk, eggs, cheese, peanut butter, beans, and fruit and vegetables. Infants can receive infant cereal, formula, and jarred infant fruits, vegetables, and meats. With the EBT, families will have more choices including bulgar, whole wheat tortillas, yogurt, tofu, and fresh fruits and vegetables for the older infant.
WIC Clinics are available throughout Southern Seven Health Department to serve families, especially pregnant women, new mothers, infants and preschool children. Appointments are customized to meet the needs of the family. To qualify for WIC, a family must be income eligible, reside in Illinois, and be one of the categories served; pregnant, postpartum, breastfeeding or have children under age five.
Families with a low to medium income and those who are part of other programs such as foster care, SNAP or TANF are automatically eligible. For those who don’t qualify for SNAP, they may still be income eligible for WIC. For example, a family of four with an income of $48,470 can still qualify for WIC.
Making services more customer friendly and reducing the stigma through eWIC cards gives families the tools to maintain a healthy and balanced diet during a critical time of child development and growth. For more information about WIC and the new eWIC EBT card, contact Southern Seven Health Department at 618-634-2297 and visit www.southern7.org.
Original source can be found here.
Source: Southern Seven Health Department
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