WIC Shopper App Available to Help Families

For immediate release

Date: January 18, 2023

Contact: Jon Ebelt, SpokespersonDPHHS, (406) 444-0936, (406) 461-3757
jebelt@mt.gov
Communications Specialist, Chuck CouncilDPHHS, (406) 444-4391, (406) 461-8367
hcouncil@mt.gov

Officials from the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) are reminding Montana residents that the free Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Shopper app is available to assist families with grocery shopping.

“we We want to make sure WIC recipients get what they need, and the app is one of the primary tools available to help busy families. ” Kevin Moore, Montana WIC Program, said: “The app includes many exciting features aimed at improving the overall shopping experience and modernizing the way we serve you.”

The WIC Shopper app has a variety of features to make it easier for attendees to access special offers and available food. With the app, users can:

• Scan barcodes to search for WIC food list products
• Check benefits
• Find a WIC office
• Find education on developmental milestones
• Find recipes and lifehacks for nutritious meals

“The WIC Shopper app has been a huge help when trying to get the most out of my household budget.” Billings resident and WIC participant Sabrina Lubitsch said: ” It helps you track your benefits and includes great recipes.I highly recommend this app to other families receiving WIC benefits. “

On average, over 6,500 families use the app every month.

DPHHS is also reminding Montana residents that profits increased in September 2022. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), which funds WIC, has increased its monthly profits to buy more fruits and vegetables.

Households now pay $25 a month for children up to age 5, $44 for pregnant, postpartum, or partially breastfeeding children, and $49 for fully breastfeeding children for fruits and vegetables. Receive. On average, this equates to a 37% monthly profit increase for Montana families. 2009 was the last time her benefits increased by such a large amount.

Montana’s WIC has 29 local agencies and over 80 clinics serving all 56 counties and seven tribal reservations. In Montana, more than 9,200 households are enrolled, benefiting more than 14,000 women, infants and children. However, only 55% of eligible families have signed up.

To be eligible for WIC, participants must be pregnant, postpartum, breastfeeding, or the foster/legal guardian of a child under the age of five. Participants must also meet income requirements, such as being below 185% of her federal poverty level or qualifying for Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, or free/reduced school lunch programs. Specific her WIC eligibility guidelines can be found on her website at DPHHS.

WIC was founded in 1974 to help families and young children during this critical period of growth and development. Benefits of the program include enabling families to access healthy eating, breastfeeding education, referrals to other health and social services, and more. WIC is a voluntary program and participation does not preclude other programs such as SNAP and Medicaid.

For more information on WIC and to see if you are eligible, visit www.dphhs.mt.gov/ecfsd/wic/index. Family members can also contact his local WIC clinic or visit www.signupwic.com. [signupwic.com]Contact state offices at 1-800-433-4298 or email montanawicprogram@mt.gov.