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.
Title VI - Nondiscrimination
Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department assures that no person shall be excluded from participation in, be denied benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination on the grounds of handicap or disability, age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other classification protected by Federal, Tennessee State constitutional, or statutory law.
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?
What does WIC offer?
During a WIC visit, growth measurements and hemoglobin levels (iron levels in the blood) are checked and nutrition information is given. Participants also receive food vouchers 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 WIC vouchers are meant to be combined with other purchased foods to provide balanced meals for those who receive WIC.
Families who qualify for Medicaid, TennCare, SNAP and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) are income qualified for WIC. Many other persons not receiving benefits from these programs may also qualify.
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.
Where can I spend WIC vouchers? Almost all chain grocery stores and some independently owned stores accept WIC vouchers. Look for the emblem in the store window or on the door that says “Tennessee WIC Vouchers Accepted Here." Helpful things to know about vouchers:
WIC Income Eligibility Criteria
How can WIC help me with feeding my baby?
Research has shown that there is no better food than breast milk for a baby’s first year of life. Breastfeeding provides many health, nutritional, economical and emotional benefits to mother and baby. Since a major goal of the WIC Program is to improve the nutritional status of infants, WIC mothers are encouraged to breastfeed their infants. WIC has historically promoted breastfeeding to all pregnant women as the optimal infant feeding choice, unless medically contraindicated.
For more information, please visit the USDA Breastfeeding Promotion and Support website.
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:
Please remember:
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:
2. Acceptable types of proof of residency (must include street address) include:
3. Acceptable types of proof of income (must bring for each/all household members) include:
Bringing the necessary information helps us to better serve you, your children, and other WIC participants.
The WIC Program works through a voucher 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 WIC Vouchers 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 (8AM-4PM), Tuesday (8AM-6PM), Wednesday (8AM-4PM), Thursday (9AM-4PM), and Friday (8AM-4PM)
*Ooltewah Health Center 5520 High St. Ooltewah, TN 37363 Phone (423) 238-4269 Fax (423) 238-5910 Business hours: Monday (8AM-6PM), Tuesday (8AM-4PM), Wednesday (8AM-4PM), Thursday (9AM-4PM), and Friday (8AM-4PM)
*Sequoyah Health Center 9527 Ridge Trail Rd. Soddy Daisy, TN 37379 Phone (423) 842-3031 Fax (423) 842-5353 Business hours: Monday (8AM-4PM), Tuesday (8AM-4PM), Wednesday (8AM-6PM), Thursday (9AM-4PM), and Friday (8AM-4PM) *Birchwood Health Center 5623 Hwy 60 Birchwood, TN 37308 Phone (423) 961-0446 Fax (423) 961-2344 Business hours: Monday (8AM-4PM), Tuesday (8AM-3PM), Wednesday (8AM-6PM), Thursday (9AM-3PM), and Friday (8AM-4PM) Dodson Avenue Community Health Center
1200 Dodson Ave. Chattanooga, TN 37406 (423) 209-8220 for appointments
Where can I get more information about WIC?
WIC Breastfeeding Support Information