WIC Nutrition

Pregnant women, infants, and children under 5 can get help with food and advice from the Snohomish Health District’s Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program. We have WIC clinics in Everett and Lynnwood, Washington.

Let WIC make a lifelong difference in your family's health with:

  • Breastfeeding tips and support
  • Help finding health care and community programs
  • Monthly checks to buy healthy food ($50 to $100)
  • Nutrition and health screenings, education, and counseling

Extra help for income eligible families

  • Breast pumps
  • Maternal infant support through public health nurses in our First Steps program
  • Referral to dental and oral health services

Who is eligible for WIC help?

WIC is for women, infants and children with limited income. You might already be eligible for services and not even know it. If you receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Basic Food stamps or other federal food assistance such as for tribal members, you are automatically eligible for WIC.

Eligible women

  • Breastfeeding a baby under 1 year of age
  • Have had a baby in the past 6 months
  • Pregnant

Eligible families

  • Foster parents of infants and children under 5 on behalf of their children
  • Guardians
  • Parents
  • Step-parents

Who Can Apply

You can apply for WIC even if you are:

  • Employed: more than 69% of WIC families have jobs
  • A father of children under the age of 5
  • In the Navy or other military service
  • Insured through private health insurance
  • Not married
  • Not a U.S. citizen: you only need to live in Washington state - getting WIC does not affect your immigration status

How to apply for WIC

You can call or visit the Everett at 425-252-5303 or Lynnwood at 425-258-8400 WIC clinic to find out if you are eligible for services and to schedule your first WIC/ First Steps appointment. You can also start the application process by filling out our online form.

What to bring to your first WIC visit

  • Each family member who might receive WIC services - bring the children under age 5
  • Immunization record for each child
  • Notice of Case Action letter if you receive Basic Food benefits, TANF, or FDPIR
  • Official identification for you and for any infant or child applying for WIC:
    • Birth certificate
    • Crib card
    • Driver’s license
    • Hospital record
    • Military ID
    • Photo ID
    • Provider One card or medical insurance card
    • Social Security Card
  • Proof of income for everyone in the household, including:
    • Child support and alimony
    • Foster care payments
    • Interest withdrawn
    • Military earnings
    • Salaries
    • Unemployment compensation
  • Proof of residence (utility bill, bank/insurance statement, or driver’s license); the document must be current and show your name and street address (no P.O. boxes)

WIC income guidelines

Eligibility for WIC assistance depends on household size and monthly income. Effective May 15, 2019.

*If you are pregnant, include each unborn child in household size.
Number of People in Your Household* Maximum Annual Income Maximum Monthly Income
2 $31,284 $2,607
3 $39,461 $3,289
4 $47,638 $3,970
5 $55,815 $4,652
6 $63,992 $5,333
7 $72,169 $6,015

WIC clinic locations & hours

Snohomish Health District WIC/First Steps clinics are located in downtown Everett and in Lynnwood near Highway 99. Pregnancy Aid offers WIC services at clinics in other areas of Snohomish County. For the clinic closest to you, call 800-322-2588 or visit Parent Help.

Benefits of help from WIC nutrition

In addition to the program service of free food, health screenings and nutrition information and support, WIC has many other short and long-term benefits for mothers and children.

Children on WIC

  • Are more likely to have normal childhood growth
  • Have better access to pediatric health care
  • Have a better diet
  • Have better immunization rates
  • Have increased vocabulary and memory scores
  • Have less childhood anemia

Pregnant women on WIC

  • Experience fewer fetal and infant deaths
  • Get into prenatal care earlier in pregnancy
  • Have a better diet
  • Have fewer low birth-weight babies
  • Have fewer premature babies

Cost benefits of WIC

  • Every WIC dollar used to serve pregnant women saves $1.92 to $4.21 in Medicaid costs
  • WIC reduces the rate of very low birth-weight babies by 44%. It costs between $30,000 and $70,000 to raise a low birth-weight baby to normal weight