New Family Nutritional WIC Card Expands Ease, Service In SCC

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CA — A new WIC nutrition benefits card for families was unveiled Tuesday from three Santa Clara County agencies.

Families in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, aka WIC, will see expanded benefits at Gardner Health Services, the Indian Health Center of Santa Clara Valley and the Santa Clara County Public Health Department.

The new card, which looks like a debit card, is billed as one that's more convenient and easier to use in ensuring that qualifying women who are pregnant or recently had a baby have better access to the healthy foods provided by WIC. The new benefits card will expand through the rest of the state later this year.

A federally funded program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture implemented through California Department of Public Health, WIC provides food, nutrition counseling, breastfeeding support and health services via local agencies to low-income families.

About 60 percent of all births from California residents is eligible for WIC.

Families use benefits to purchase specific foods with key nutrients needed by pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, infants and young children.

"All families should have regular access to good, nutritious food and this new WIC card will make it easier for them to achieve this," Santa Clara County Supervisor Susan Ellenberg said. "Moving away from paper checks allows more flexibility and de-stigmatizes the grocery shopping experience. All eligible families throughout Santa Clara County should take full advantage of this important benefit."

Families may load benefits over the phone, rather than collecting them by mail or in person. The new card comes with a WIC Phone App to check balance, appointments, stores and various foods from a phone.

"We know that many families struggle to afford healthy food, and we also know that good nutrition in childhood is essential for growth, learning and good health," Santa Clara Health Officer and Director of the Public Health Department Dr. Sara Cody said.

More than 120 supermarkets and grocery stores in Santa Clara County participate in the WIC program, which adds an estimated $12.5 million to the local economy each year. In the state of California, WIC serves about 1 million participants statewide each month.

The three WIC agencies in Santa Clara County have been preparing participants and staff for the transition to WIC Card for more than six months.

Families with gross income of no more than 185 percent of the federal poverty level – currently $47,638 annually for a family of four – are eligible for WIC. Applicants who already receive CalFresh, formerly known as food stamps, Medi-Cal, or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families cash assistance are automatically considered income-eligible.

Families interested in applying for or seeing if they qualify for WIC services, should call 888-WIC-WORKS, or 888-942-9675. WIC continues to prioritize flexibility for working families. WIC offices are open late hours and on weekends to ensure access. More information is available at:

• The Indian Health Center of Santa Clara Valley at indianhealthcenter.org/programs-services/wic-and-nutrition
• Gardner Health Services at gardnerhealthservices.org/services/#Nutritional
• County of Santa Clara Public Health Department at sccphd.org/wic.