Contact Us

If you have questions about qualifying for the WIC Program, please call your local WIC clinic (see list below) or the WIC Regional Office at (423) 209-8220.

   Birchwood — 423-209-5540

   Family Health/Pediatrics (3rd St. location)  423-209-8050

   Ooltewah Health Center— 423-209-5440

   Sequoyah Health Center— 423-209-5490

 

For information and resources on the baby formula shortage, please click here.


Welcome to WIC, our goal is to support women, infants and children during critical times of growth and development by providing them with: nutritious foods to supplement diets, information on healthy eating, and referrals to health care.

What is WIC?
WIC is a program that offers nutrition education, breastfeeding education and support, nutritious foods, and health referrals to women, infants, and children who qualify.

Who participates in WIC?

  • Pregnant women
  • Breastfeeding women (up to infant’s 1st birthday)
  • Non-breastfeeding, postpartum women (up to 6 months after the birth of an infant or after pregnancy ends)
  • Infants (up to 1st birthday). WIC serves 45 percent of all infants born in the United States.
  • Children up to their 5th birthday.

What does WIC offer?

  • WIC EBT card for healthy foods
  • To read the WIC changes/updates due to COVID-19 click here 
  • Nutrition education
  • Breastfeeding promotion and support
  • Easy access to childhood immunizations.
  • Referrals to other health and social services

During a WIC visit, growth measurements and hemoglobin levels (iron levels in the blood) are checked and nutrition information is given. Participants also receive a WIC EBT card that they can use to purchase certain WIC approved foods. WIC foods are high in key nutrients that women and children need for good health, such as iron, calcium and folic acid. There is also a special food package for mothers who fully breastfeed their infants. Foods bought with a WIC EBT card are meant to be combined with other purchased foods to provide balanced meals for those who receive WIC.

Title VI - Nondiscrimination

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.  

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits.  Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.  Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: 

(1)            mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture 
                Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 
                1400 Independence Avenue, SW 
                Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; 

(2)           fax: (202) 690-7442; or 

(3)           email: program.intake@usda.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

En Español

Policy: For WIC income eligibility determination purposes. The Tennessee WIC Program will use the Federal Poverty Guidelines. To be income eligible for WIC benefits, an economic unit (household) may earn up to and including 185% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.

Procedure: Central Office will provide the WIC Income Eligibility Guidelines to the Regions/Metros each year. The guidelines will be effective on or before July 1, each year. Central Office will coordinate the implementation of the WIC Income Eligibility Guidelines into the Tennessee WIC Management Information System known as TNWIC.

If you have questions about qualifying for the WIC Program, please call your local WIC clinic (see list below) or the WIC Regional Office at (423) 209-8220, or TN WIC Hotline at (800) 342-5942 (800-DIAL-WIC).

WIC Income Eligibility Criteria

 

How can WIC help me with feeding my baby?

A major goal of the WIC Program is to improve nutrition and health, so WIC mothers are encouraged to breastfeed their infants.  WIC promotes breastfeeding to all pregnant women as the optimal infant feeding choice, unless medically contraindicated.

  • WIC mothers choosing to breastfeed are provided information through counseling and breastfeeding educational materials
  • Breastfeeding mothers are eligible to participate in WIC longer than non-breastfeeding mothers
  • Mothers who exclusively breastfeed their infants receive an enhanced food package
  • Breastfeeding mothers can receive assistance obtaining breast pumps either through insurance or the WIC program to help support the initiation and continuation of breastfeeding
  • Our WIC clinics each have a Designated Breastfeeding Expert (DBE).  This DBE has advanced lactation training and provides assistance with any breastfeeding issues or questions. 

However, if you decide to use formula, the WIC program can help reduce monthly costs by assisting you with vouchers for standard Similac milk-based or soy formula. Therapeutic formulas may be available with proper documentation from a physician for infants and children with particular health problems. Please discuss your baby’s nutrition with your pediatrician or call your WIC clinic for more information on breast feeding or on infant formula.

What do I bring to my WIC appointment?
All WIC visits are by appointment only. You must bring ALL of the following information to each WIC certification/recertification visit:

  • Proof of identification
  • Proof of residence
  • Proof of income
  • Please note that at WIC certification visits you cannot be seen without proof from all three categories. This is very important because if you do not bring this information, you will have your appointment re-scheduled.

Please remember:

  • Identification, residence and income proof must be current and valid
  • Participant must be present at certification and re-certification appointments
  • Bring updated shot records for infants and children at each visit

You must bring one item from each of the 3 categories below:

1. Acceptable types of proof of identification (for the caretaker and person applying for WIC) include:

  • Birth Certificate
  • Driver’s License
  • Passport
  • Voter Registration Card
  • Hospital Birth Certificate, ID Bracelet or Crib Card
  • Photo ID
  • Social Security Card
  • Registration in other government programs
  • Immunization Record
  • TennCare Card (if found eligible at DHS) or Medical Insurance Card

2. Acceptable types of proof of residency (must include street address) include:

  • Rent receipt/mortgage statement
  • Utility bill/receipt
  • Official correspondence
  • Letter of Residency (written letter of support from a third party)

3. Acceptable types of proof of income (must bring for each/all household members) include:

  • Bank statement with current transactions
  • Paycheck stub dated within the last 30 days
  • Income statement from employer (when check stubs are not available or paid in cash). It is preferred that this statement be on the employer’s letterhead.
  • Written letter of support from a third party (please call for details on what this letter must contain)
  • Proof of eligibility for Food Stamps, TANF or Medicaid
  • Social Security Supplemental Income Statement
  • Social Security Benefits Statement
  • Veterans Benefits Statement
  • Previous year tax return with W-2 Form(s)

Bringing the necessary information helps us to better serve you, your children, and other WIC participants.

The WIC Program works through a WIC EBT card system and grocery stores known as WIC Vendors provide the supplemental foods to WIC participants. A Vendor Coordinator works with the local WIC Vendors who accept the eWIC card to provide up-to-date WIC policies and procedures. If you are the owner or manager of a local grocery store and would like more information about the Merchant Program, please call 209-8312 or 209-8220.

*Family Health Pediatric Clinic—Hamilton County Health Dept.
921 E. 3rd St.
Chattanooga, TN 37403
Phone (423) 209-8050 Fax (423) 209-8051
Business hours: Monday - Thursday 8AM-4PM and Friday 9AM-4PM

*Ooltewah Health Center
5520 High St.
Ooltewah, TN 37363
Phone (423)209-5440 Fax (423) 238-5910 
Business hours: Monday - Thursday 8AM - 4PM and Friday 9AM-4PM


*Sequoyah Health Center
9527 Ridge Trail Rd.
Soddy Daisy, TN 37379
Phone (423) 842-3031 Fax (423) 842-5353
Business hours: Monday - Thursday 8AM-4PM and Friday 9AM-4PM

*Birchwood Health Center
5623 Hwy 60
Birchwood, TN 37308
Phone (423) 209-5540 Fax (423) 961-2344
Business hours: Monday - Thursday 8AM-4PM and Friday 9AM-4PM



Where can I get more information about WIC?