WIC...Who do you think of????

[Pembo]

If you were asked to describe a woman on WIC assistance, what would you say??? Does she work? Is she married?

What about a family on Medicaid? How would you describe them?
Married? working? have insurance?

Just curious as to people's impressions........

 

[DixieDreamer]

Someone who cares enough to feed her family well... despite financial difficulties.

 

[Zurg]

good DD

 

[Patrick IL.]

I count my blessings I am not in that situation. There are often so many complex circumstances that lead to a family ending up in that situation. With that in mind I make an effort not to pass judgement, it could happen to any of us, a slight turn in lifes circumstances.

 

[Saffron]

There you go DD! Great answer!!

 

[A kid at heart]

Whats wrong with being on WIC? It helps the families to get the right amount of milk for their kids. along with some peanut butter, some cereal, and eggs. Almost forgot the juice.
Things are tight for lots of people in these times. I now a lot of people who get WIC> I got it when I had my baby, it helped especially when it came time for getting the formula. That stuff is expensive. Once your child hits a certain age they also give you $25 in vouchers to use at the local farmers market for fruits and veggies.

 

[Pin Wizard]

I was on WIC for a few years for DS. DH died when I was pregnant. I was thankful they supplied his formula, milk, juice, peanut butter. Basics that you really appreciate! It's a GREAT program for those who need it.

 

[Kermit]

A lot of the women on the pregnancy forums I visit are on WIC. They're very normal, educated people who are interested in getting the best for their babies. A lot of times people have the perception that low income people mainly get baby advice from word-of-mouth rather than from "experts," but I've found that these women spend just as much time researching what's best for their little ones as the stay-at-home moms with time to spend.

 

[Judy from Boise]

WIC is purposfully easy to qualify for, since the overall benefits to society to have infants and children off to a good start, are immeasurable. WIC funding is usually a very easy thing to sail through congress.
I know many of our military families qualify.

 

[Keli]

WIC is one of the few gov't programs that I endorse. The lack of proper nutrition when a child is so small has lifelong reprecussions and I'm glad that we, as a society, do what we can to try and give everyone a good start. I think that I have never really had a perception of what WIC recipents look like but I'm guessing they look just like everyone else.

 

[SnackyStacky]

I used to work as a cashier at the local supermarket. The WIC program is great, but for the cashiers it was a pain in the patootie! Not saying it shouldn't be around, just saying that they should train cashiers to know what's acceptable under the WIC rules! hehe

Also, just as an aside, baby formula is regulated by the goverment. You can get the store or generic brand cheaper and it is just as nutricious as the name-brand stuff. I know it's still expensive. Again, I'm just sayin'!

 

[A kid at heart]

I know here the WIC program its all computerized in the cash registers at the supermarkets if tis not allowed per WIC then you can't get it. However if you get the Lactaid milk like I did it was a royal pain cause they had to get someone from the office to over-ride it!

 

[Pembo]

I like hearing all your positive comments!

 

[disykat]

While I understand that the program is worthwhile, I've had a different experience with it. *(Please don't take this as a slam against those who truly need the help - I understand that there are many who do, those are not the people I'm talking about!) I've known many people who made more money than us that were on it (military community). A friend/neighbor of mine was on it and had a nicer house and nicer cars than we did - and we weren't poor! I guess the program also protects babies from parents that are unable to budget their money for food.

I used to live close enough to a WIC program that I would often get stopped while I was out walking for directions. The people who stopped me were always driving much nicer cars than I was and it gave me a bad taste. I had a baby with special needs, but managed to purchase his formula rather than buy a new car.

That said, I'd still sign up in a minute if my children needed food.

 

[Zurg]

Disykat - I think a little error on the side of more access is better than error on the side of kids who need it not getting it due to tight regs.

 

[AF Brenda]

Judy, you are right, many military families qualify for WIC. In fact, many military bases now have WIC offices on base so that families can have easier access to the program.

As for people having that don't really need it, I understand your frustration. I'm the type of person that even if I qualified, I wouldn't use it unless I absolutely had to. But I also understand the perspective that says "Hey, if I qualify, I'm going to use it", since that leaves cash for other necessities that aren't covered by WIC.

 

[binny]

I think wic is a greta program! The counceling that you get with it is a pain but pretty helpful especially for new/young moms ( even some of us more experienced moms lol).

The guidelines here are VERY Generous I just called the other dya to find out for a friend and for a family of 5 here in Idaho you can make up to $35,100./year!!

I thought was great. Even at making that amount of money sometimes it can be a stretch if you have student loans etc to pay off.


Anyway, good for you! There is NO shame in Wic or any aid if you are in need of it!

 

[mamajoan]

Describe a person on wic... a pregnant working woman/ or working mom who is trying to do her best to provide a nutritionaly sound diet for herself and young children in her care.

WIC is a good program. I have wanted the food stamp program to be run in the same manner. That way nutritional food is guaranteed to be provided by the use of food stamps.

 

[Pin Wizard]

Originally posted by mamajoan
WIC is a good program. I have wanted the food stamp program to be run in the same manner. That way nutritional food is guaranteed to be provided by the use of food stamps.

You and me both. I left my job to go back to college. Seems we're always out of $$ before the beginning of the next month and tend to have LOTS of PB&J until $$ comes in. Not a nice way to live. Looks like we don't qualify for food stamps until a little nest egg runs out. I was hoping to use that for college tuition! Robbing from Peter to pay Paul is the way I feel.

 

[Mermaid02]

WIC is a great program- when used properly. I was single when my dd was born.... I worked weekends at a grocery store and I used to get so frustrated by the people abusing the system! When you see someone buy their food with food stamps, their milk etc with WIC and then pay CASH for a couple cartons of cigarettes and a half gallon of coffee brandy (which I hear goes fabulously with milk) it is frustrating- I looked at it this way though- those people would buy their cigarettes and booze NO MATTER what, at least with the WIC program the kids can have some nutritious food to eat. It's a good program and a few bad apples shouldn't spoil the whole barrel!