Women, Infants And Children Program Upgraded
Author: Lacy Little, Montana WIC Program Director
Women, Infants and Children Program Upgraded
Lacy Little
Montana WIC Program Director
The Department of Health and Human Services (DPHHS) recently released new guidelines to improve access to the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program for families who receive the traditional Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship.
Families who have been determined eligible for traditional Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarships are now automatically financially eligible for WIC.
“Both of these programs serve many of the same families, so as a way to improve customer service, we made the decision to streamline the eligibility process for families,” said Lacy Little, Montanan WIC program director. “This will make it easier for families to gain access to the nutritional food and support the WIC program provides.”
WIC eligibility requires participants to be pregnant, postpartum, breastfeeding, or have a child younger than five. Household income must be at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Level or be already approved for Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, or a free/reduced school meal program. This change adds the traditional Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship to that list.
The Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship program helps Montana families afford quality childcare, allowing parents to participate more fully in the workforce. Families earning less than 185% of the Federal Poverty Level with children in licensed care, including centers, family homes, and Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) care, are eligible. Families make a co-payment based on income using a sliding fee scale.
To learn more about WIC or find out if you are eligible, go to https://www.dphhs.mt.gov/ecfsd/wic/index. Families can also contact their local WIC clinic or visit https://www.signupwic.com. The state office may be reached at 1-800-433-4298 or emailed at montanawicprogram@mt.gov.
