Women, Infants, and Children Services at New Bedford Community Health
Sometimes it takes more than medical appointments to stay healthy. That’s why our team also provides the WIC nutrition program for women, infants, and children. We promote the growth of strong families and healthy lifestyles through breastfeeding support, nutrition education, food assistance, and other services free of charge to Massachusetts families who qualify.
What Does WIC Offer?
WIC’s goal is to help keep pregnant and breastfeeding women and children younger than 5 healthy. To do this, WIC provides:
- Personalized nutrition consultants
- Checks to buy free, healthy food
- Tips for eating well to improve health
- Referrals for medical and dental care, health insurance, child care, housing and fuel assistance, and other services that can benefit the whole family
- WIC can provide services in a number of languages including English, Haitian Creole, Spanish, Portuguese, and more
WIC also offers breastfeeding classes, one-on-one breastfeeding support, and parent groups that provide them with opportunities to talk with each other about nutrition and other topics important to young families.
Who is WIC for?
The WIC Program is for all kinds of families. If you are a father, mother, grandparent, foster parent, or other legal guardian of a child under 5 years of age, married or single, working or not, you can apply for WIC. Our friendly, dedicated staff will help determine whether you qualify for WIC and assist you through the application process.
You can participate in WIC if you:
- Live in Massachusetts
- Have a nutritional need (WIC staff can help you determine this)
- Are a child under 5, or a pregnant or breastfeeding woman, and
- Have a family income less than WIC guidelines
You are automatically income-eligible for WIC if you currently receive TAFDC, Food Stamps, or MassHealth. (MassHealth members with Family Assistance or CommonHealth coverage are not automatically income eligible.) Foster kids under age 5 are also automatically eligible for WIC.
The New Bedford Community Health WIC program serves over 4,300 participants in New Bedford, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Acushnet, and beyond. For more information regarding eligibility, how to apply, and income guidelines, please call (508) 997-1500.
WIC Income Guidelines
WIC Apps for Your Smartphone, Tablet, or Computer!
WIC Shopper App
With the WIC Shopper Mobile App, you can view your current benefits, check in "real-time" if the foods you are shopping for are eligible, access healthy recipes, and find a store that accepts the WIC Card. You need a smartphone to use this app, which can be found on Android Apps, Google Play, and iTunes.
WIC Smart Online Nutrition Education
WIC Smart Online Nutrition Education is a resource for caregivers of infants and children 9 months and up. WIC participants can complete required nutritional education classes assigned to them by their nutritionist online, at their convenience. You can access WIC Smart from your desktop or laptop computer, or you can visit your app store and get the app for your smartphone or tablet.