WIC Program
Explore Unity's WIC Program, empowering families with nutrition guidance, healthy foods, and wellness support for mothers and young children. Join us in nurturing strong, healthy communities.
Request an Appointment
To request an appointment, please call 202-938-3688 or email us at: [email protected]. Please include your name and phone number so we can get back to you promptly.
Updated Phone and Hours
The NEW phone number for all Unity WIC: 202-938-3688
NUEVO número de teléfono para todos los WIC de Unity: 202-938-3688
Please note that Unity WIC sites are closed on the first Thursday of every month.
What is WIC?
WIC is the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. WIC is a federally-funded health and nutrition program that helps families by providing nutrition education, healthy supplemental foods, and making referrals to healthcare and community services.
Who qualifies for DC WIC?
You may qualify for WIC if you:
- Are pregnant, breastfeeding, or gave birth within the last 6 months;
- Have an infant or a child under the age of 5;
- Live in DC;
- Meet income guidelines for your family as listed below, OR are participating in School Lunch Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or the Food Stamp Program (SNAP); and
- Have a nutritional or medical risk (determined by the WIC nutritionist or other health professional).
You do not have to show proof of U.S. citizenship to receive WIC.
The FY24 Income Eligibility Guidelines for WIC are 185% of the federal poverty line (Effective July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024). WIC Income Guidelines_7.2023 to 6.30.2024
You may be automatically eligible based on your enrollment in another public assistance program, such as Medicaid. WIC staff can help determine your eligibility. Check your eligibility with the WIC prescreening tool.
Pacify - support that never sleeps
DC WIC offers access to Pacify memberships to eligible participants – for FREE! Pacify connects you with live Lactation Consultants who are available 24/7 via video to offer breastfeeding support and answer other feeding-related questions.
There are no appointments required and you can call as often as you need to. Use our self-guided process to sign up virtually by visiting: https://www.pacify.com/dc-wic/
WIC Benefits
Food Package
WIC provides food vouchers that can be redeemed in many grocery stores around DC. These foods include milk, cheese, eggs, cereal, juice, whole grains, beans, peanut butter, fruits and vegetables, and more! As of October 1, 2021, there are many new foods you can purchase using your WIC checks, including organics! Please see the DC WIC website for the full food list.
Breastfeeding Support
WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselors provide pregnant women and new mothers with education and assistance with common breastfeeding concerns. The Peer Counselors can refer you to a lactation consultant if you need extra assistance. WIC has breastfeeding education classes called the Beautiful Beginnings Club. Please contact your Unity WIC office for dates and times of these classes. A class schedule for all of DC can be found here. WIC also offers a free membership to Pacify, an app that lets mothers contact lactation consultants for on-demand, 24/7 video chats. Ask your WIC staff about signing up for Pacify.
Nutrition Education
WIC has Nutritionists and Registered Dietitians who provide free counseling and education on any nutritional concerns that you and your family may have. WIC Nutritionists help with infant and child feeding concerns such as transitioning to solid foods and picky eating. WIC Registered Dietitians can help you and your family with any advanced nutritional concerns that you may have.
Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program
Women and children over the age of 6 months who are on WIC receive farmer’s market vouchers once a year (between June and November) to purchase local fruits, vegetables, and herbs.
DC eWIC is here!
Why eWIC?
- No paper checks!
- Convenient & flexible shopping
- Shop for WIC foods over multiple shopping trips
- Food benefits are available until end of the benefit period
- One card per household.
- https://www.dcwic.org/dc-ewic
¡DC eWIC esta aquí!
¿Por qué eWIC?
- ¡No mas cheques en papel!
- Compras comodas & flexibles
- Hacer múltiples viajes de compras por sus alimentos WIC
- Los beneficios están disponibles hasta el final del período de beneficios
- Una tarjeta por hogar
- https://www.dcwic.org/dc-ewic
What to bring to your WIC appointment
- Proof of DC residency
- Proof of income
- Proof of pregnancy (i.e., a letter from your doctor)
- Proof of identity (i.e., picture ID, driver's license)
- Baby or child & his/her birth certificate or hospital discharge papers
- Prescription for special formula or supplement, if applicable
You do not have to show proof of U.S. citizenship to receive WIC.
More Information
- If you need a referral or a prescription from your physician for a specific formula, please use this WIC referral form (PDF).
- See what formulas WIC provides (PDF).
- See www.dcwic.org for additional information about the WIC program in DC.
USDA Nondiscrimination Statement
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20250-9410
Fax
(833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Locations
Select one of our conveniently located community health centers.
Schedule an Appointment
Please email the team for more information or to schedule an appointment.