San Juan Basin Public Health announced that participants in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program will see a significant increase in the portion of benefits that may be used to purchase fresh produce.
The temporary increase in funds is made available by the American Rescue Act. Pregnant women and parents or legal guardians for children under the age of five are encouraged to apply for the SJBPH program to access these benefits.
The new amount for fruits and vegetables is $35 per month for each mom and child on WIC from June to September. WIC also provides milk, whole grains, cereal, eggs and more to enrolled families. With this increase, WIC benefits can offset grocery expenses equal to about $85 per person, per month.
Fathers, mothers, grandparents, foster parents or other legal guardians of a child under five years old may apply for WIC. Individuals who receive Health First Colorado (Medicaid) are automatically eligible for WIC and even those who are over income for Health First Colorado may qualify. One may be on WIC and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) at the same time.
For more information, visit www.sjbpublichealth.org/wic/ or call 970-335-2018.
