WIC: A Lifeline for Military Families with Children

As a military spouse, I've experienced firsthand the challenges of making ends meet while living on base in various parts of the world. With frequent relocations, it's not uncommon to face difficulties finding stable employment. However, thanks to programs like Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), we've been able to provide healthy groceries for our family.

WIC is a government subsidy program designed to support low-income families with children up to age 5 by providing vouchers for nutritious food items. For military families stationed OCONUS, WIC becomes an even more valuable benefit in ensuring that our little ones receive the nutrients they need.

In our household, we've been able to use WIC vouchers for essentials like milk, bread, eggs, juice, and – yes – cereal! A 6 oz box of cereal is a staple in many households, and with WIC, it's one less expense we have to worry about. In fact, additional family members can increase the eligibility number, even if they're too old to qualify for WIC benefits personally.

For our household of three, this means an annual income of less than $37,167 (based on 2017 guidelines). WIC defines low-income families as those making less than 185% of the poverty level. With WIC vouchers, we can purchase fresh fruits and vegetables, milk, eggs, cheese, bread, peanut butter, tuna fish, juice, and – you guessed it – cereal for our children ages 1-5.

Pregnant or breastfeeding women like myself can also receive vouchers for healthy food items such as fresh produce, skim milk, eggs, wheat bread, beans, and – of course – cereal. WIC is more than just a benefit; it's a lifeline that helps us put food on the table while we're living abroad.

In our case, WIC has been instrumental in helping us afford healthy groceries for our family. The store takes the voucher as payment, making it easy to ring up specific WIC items separately from the rest of my food purchases. It's a relief to know that we can count on this program to help us navigate the challenges of military life.

For those who may not be familiar with WIC, I highly recommend exploring the eligibility guidelines and applying if you're a low-income family with children up to age 5. It's a little-known benefit that has made a significant difference in our lives, and it could do the same for yours.

6 oz cereal wic