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WIC Information Eligibility What You Receive Through WIC What to Bring to a WIC Appointment Using WIC Cards Using WIC Checks Participating WIC Grocery Stores Moving with WIC Other Helpful Resources   WIC Location DeSoto County's WIC Program is currently located at: DeSoto County Health Department 34 South Baldwin Avenue Arcadia, Florida  34266 (863) 993-4601 Eligibility To determine whether or not you qualify for DCHD’s WIC Program, you must first schedule an appointment. This program is specifically for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or have just had a baby. Women with children up to 5 years of age are also eligible to apply for WIC. There is a family income limit, but working families may qualify depending on number of immediately family members and gross income. NEW Income Guidelines as of April 1, 2009. Note: If you are pregnant, add one to the number of people in your family. 185% Federal Poverty Level Effective April 1, 2009 Gross Income  Family Members Weekly Bi-Weekly Twice Monthly Monthly Annual 1 $386 $771 $835 $1,670 $20,036 2 $519 $1,037 $1,124 $2,247 $26,955 3 $652 $1,303 $1,412 $2,823 $33,874 4 $785 $1,569 $1,700 $3,400 $40,793 5 $918 $1,836 $1,988 $3,976 $47,712 6 $1,051 $2,102 $2,277 $4,553 $54,631 7 $1,184 $2,368 $2,565 $5,130 $61,550 8 $1,317 $2,634 $2,853 $5,706 $68,469 Additional Person +$134 +$267 +$289 +$577 +$6,919 Eligibility is by appointment. Call us at (863) 993-4601 to make an appointment. What you Receive Through WIC: Special Checks to buy healthy foods, such as milk, juice, eggs, cheese, cereal, dry beans, and peanut butter Information about nutrition and health to help you and your family eat well and be healthy Support and information about breastfeeding Help in finding health care and other community services. What You Need to Bring to Your Appointment: Identification for everyone who has an appointment Proof of where you live, or have Medicaid Proof of all household income, or have Medicaid Children's shot record Make sure everyone who is requested to attend is present for the WIC appointment Using WIC Cards: At the Store:  The Cashier will use the front of the WIC card to check the signature on the check.  Be sure to have your co-caretaker and proxy sign the front of the ID card also. At the WIC Office:  We use the numbers on the inside of your WIC card when you call or come in.  We can answer your questions faster if you have the card with you.  If you don’t have the card or if you are not the authorized representative on the card, you must have identification.  Please bring the shot records of all your children.  Card Info:  The calendar on the card tells you when to return to the WIC office.  The number listed on the “month square” is the day of the month that you come to the WIC office to receive your checks.  If there is a highlighted number and time listed on the card, you have a nutrition appointment, so be sure to allow more time for your appointment with us.  The inside of your card will tell you when your WIC recertification (eligibility determination) is due, as well as our hours for check pick-up. Using Your WIC Checks: WIC checks are like cash—they cannon be replaced if lost or stolen. You can buy only the foods and spend only the amount listed on the front of your WIC check. The back of the check tells you specifically which food products you can purchase. The WIC ID card must be presented along with the WIC checks. Only a previously appointed WIC recipient may redeem WIC checks. WIC checks can only be used from the “First Day to Use” through the “Last Day to Use” date that is printed on the check. If you are buying other foods that are not covered by WIC in addition to WIC approved products, you must separate your groceries and pay for each group of foods separately. You are not required to purchase all foods that WIC covers, but you will not be able to purchase them until you receive your next WIC check. You must sign in the “Authorized Signature” space AFTER the “Pay Exactly” box is filled in by the cashier. WIC Checks are Accepted At: Cardenas Supermarket 210 West Magnolia Street Arcadia, FL  34266 (863) 494-1261 Sweetbay Supermarket 1737 East Oak Street Arcadia, FL  34266 (863) 993-3293 Nocatee Market 4427 SW HWY 17 Nocatee, FL (863) 993-9394 Wal-Mart Supercenter 2725 SE HWY 70 Arcadia, FL  34266 (863) 993-1677 Save-A-Lot 1325 East Oak Street Arcadia, FL  34266 (863) 993-9394 Winn-Dixie 1330 East Oak Street Arcadia, FL  34266 (863) 494-5400 If your Child Needs Special Formula... WIC will need your child’s doctor to complete a WIC Formula Request Form, if the formula is something other than Nestle Goodstart or Goodstart Soy.  You can get this form from the DeSoto County Health Department (DCHD) WIC Office, or from your doctor.  After the form is completed, fax it to DeSoto CHD WIC Office at 836-993-4888 or bring to:      34 South Baldwin Avenue   The ENTIRE form needs to be completed. A valid medical diagnosis from your doctor is also needed, in addition to the number of months your child will be using the formula (the maximum amount of time is 6 months) If the request form is approved, previous checks and/or unopened cans of formula that you have, will need to be returned to WIC in exchange for the newly requested formula. Please note that if your infant is in need of special formula, he/she may need to be monitored by WIC more frequently. Moving with WIC Transferring within Florida: You Will Need... Identification for everyone that is receiving WIC and moving Your WIC Identification/Appointment Card (if you have it) Shot records of your children (if you have them) You must by currently certified and due for checks. Florida WIC Checks may be used at authorized stores anywhere in the state. Transferring From a Different State: You Will Need… Identification from everyone that is receiving WIC funds and transferring Proof of where you currently live Shot records for your children (if you have them) Any WIC checks you have from the last state you lived in. You cannot receive checks from more than one state at the same time. Your WIC Identification/Transfer Card from the your last WIC Program. If you don’t have this card, you should contact the WIC agency and ask to have your “Verification of Certification” faxed to DCHD at (863) 993-4888. Once we receive proper documentation of your past WIC certification, we can complete your transfer and issue your WIC checks. è Additional Resources: Medicaid, Food Stamps & TANF: Department of Children and Families, call (863) 993-4500, or toll-free at 1-866-465-2640 Florida Kid Care: Health insurance for uninsured children up to age 18; based on family size and income; call 1-888-540-5437 Transport      * Transportation Disadvantage: Income-based pick-up for medical appointments, prescriptions, grocery shopping, etc. Contact (863) 993-4858 for more info.      * Medicaid Transport: Call 1-800-694-6566 for more info. Early Learning Coalition: Helps parents find daycare that are right for their circumstances. Call (863) 494-5233 for more info. Free Childhood Immunizations: Located at the DeSoto County Health Department, call (862) 993-4601 for questions and appointments. Healthy Start: Coordinates services for pregnant women and children and provides referrals relative to prenatal and parenting needs. Contact DCHD at (863) 993-4601. Catholic Charities: A charitable agency that helps people in need. Located at 1210 East Oak Street; Call (863) 494-1068 for more info. Dental Care at DCHD: Call (863) 993-4601 to make an appointment.