Women, Infants & Children (WIC)
In PersonThe Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children is funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture and is operated through local health departments and satellite and mobile clinics in Virginia. WIC provides high-quality nutritional care and food to our participants. The program provides milk, cheese, eggs, juice, cereal, dried beans or peas, peanut butter and iron-fortified formula that supply crucial nutrients such as protein, iron, calcium, and vitamins A and C essential to maintain health. WIC provides breastfeeding education during pregnancy and breastfeeding support after delivery. Individual counseling and group classes on breastfeeding are available for clients. For breastfeeding questions and concerns Breastfeeding Peer Counselors are available during normal office hours. Learn about the benefits of breastfeeding.
How to Receive this Service
Who is eligible for WIC?
Women: Pregnant, Post Partum or Breast-feeding
Infants: Under one year of age (birth to 11 months)
Children: Under five years of age – once child turns five years old, he/she is no longer eligible for the WIC Program
Income You must meet income guidelines which are based on family size and family gross income. Proof of income must be provided, such as check stubs, current Medicaid card, Military Leave and Earnings Statement (LES), unemployment benefits statement. Proof of income must be current.
Nutritional Eligibility You must have a Medical/Nutritional risk as determined by a Nutritionist in our WIC Clinic. The Nutritionist may also use information from the medical referral form that has been completed and signed by your doctor during your medical exam. This referral form must list current height, weight and hematocrit (blood work.)
What you need to bring to a WIC appointment:
- Proof of income
- Proof of identification
- Proof of Residency, such as a utility bill or other item with your name and street address.
- Shot Record listing all shots given to child by doctor, clinic or medical facility.
- Your child must come with you if the appointment is for him or her.
- WIC ID folder – if you have been on WIC before or now have someone in the WIC Program.
Other Information:
Once you are added to the WIC Program, you will be recertified every six months using the same procedures listed above. You can be taken off the WIC Program if:
- You do not attend appointments for benefit issuance.
- During any subsequent appointment, if you no longer meet the financial or nutritional risk eligibility criteria.
Locations, Phone Numbers, Hours
Henrico Health Department (East)
1400 N. Laburnum Ave., Richmond, VA 23223
Phone: (804) 652-3180
Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Shrader Road WIC Office
7740 Shrader Road, Suite B Henrico, VA 23228
Phone: (804) 501-1610
Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
eWIC (Electronic Benefits)
The VA WIC program now utilizes an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) based program called eWIC. eWIC is a benefit card based system, with a system of benefits transfer similar to a debit card. Each card has a Primary Account Number (PAN) and can be accessed by the client with a Personal Identification Number (PIN). The participant can then use their eWIC card to redeem current active benefits at authorized WIC retailers.
In order to redeem current active benefits, a participant starts by confirming their benefits by executing a balance inquiry before starting their shopping. Participants then engage in their normal shopping, and proceed to the checkout. Once at the checkout, the participant swipes their eWIC card and enters their PIN number, in the same way a debit card would be used. The participant’s groceries are then scanned, compared to their prescription, and then approved or denied based on the cardholder’s benefit balance. Once the transaction is completed and approved, a receipt showing the details of the transaction and updated account balance will be printed, and the transaction will be completed.
