Lake County W.I.C. Program
WIC is the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children. WIC provides valuable nutrition and health information, breastfeeding support, health care referrals and nutritious foods. WIC helps all types of families learn how to make healthy lifelong nutrition and lifestyle choices.
WIC is for eligible women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or just had a baby, and for infants and children up to age 5. Eligibility is based on both nutritional need and income status.
WIC’s Mission
To safeguard the health of low-income women, infants, and children up to age 5 who are at nutrition risk by providing nutritious foods to supplement diets, information on healthy eating, and referrals to health care.
Income Eligibility
The income guidelines are based on family size and are updated yearly. Persons who receive Medicaid or Food Stamp benefits automatically meet the income requirements for the WIC program.
WIC Benefits
- Healthier pregnancies for women
- Fewer lower birth weight babies are born
- Diets are improved
- Late fetal deaths are reduced
- Children are better immunized
- Children do better on vocabulary scores
- Rates of anemia (low blood iron) are reduced
- Participation in WIC can lower Medicaid costs
- WIC children are more likely to have a regular source of healthcare
Office Hours and Location
The Lake County WIC Program is located inside the Lake County Public Health Department at 802 Main Street, Polson, MT 59860. Our telephone number is (406) 883-7307. Office hours are 8:30 am to 11:30 am and 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday. Please call for an appointment or for more information. If we are serving other clients, we may not be able to take your call. Please leave a message, including your name and phone number, and we will return your call as soon as possible.
Non-Discrimination Statement
The WIC program is an equal opportunity program. The WIC program does not discriminate against any person based on race, color, religious creed, political ideas, sex, age, marital status, physical or mental handicap, national origin, or ancestry.
Montana Farm Direct Program
Montana WIC participants can use their Fruit and Vegetable benefits (checks) with any Montana WIC authorized Farmer located at Farmers’ Markets or roadside stands for locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables.
If you decide to shop with an authorized farmer here are some things to keep in mind:
Be sure that the Farmer has this sign displayed with the “WIC” boxes marked. →- Your local WIC office has a list of authorized Farmers
- The process for cashing your fruit and vegetable check is the same as if you are shopping in a grocery store:
- Be sure to have your WIC packet with you (No Packet = No Sale).
- Use the check (benefit) within the valid dates.
- Stay within the maximum amount listed—Remember: If you go over the amount listed you have to put something back, you cannot pay the difference—any amount.
- Be sure to sign the check (benefit).
Eligible fresh fruits and vegetables include (but not limited to):
- Apples
- Broccoli
- Cantaloupe
- Carrots
- Corn
- Garlic
- Grapes
- Lettuce
- Onions
- Peaches
- Peas
- Rhubarb
