HERMANN – Updated income guidelines have been issued by the federal government for eligibility to participate in the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program.

The program that provides nutrition information and food items for pregnant women and children up to age 5 is made available through county health agencies such as the Gasconade County Health Department. The program involves the use of an EBT (electronic benefits transfer) card for purchasing approved food items at participating grocery stores.

The updated income guidelines include gross (or pre-tax) amounts of income for different numbers of participants in a household. The new levels are: Family size: 1 – $29,526 annually or $2,461 monthly; 2 – $40,034 annually or $3,337 monthly; 3 – $50,542 annually or $4,212 monthly; 4 – 61,050 annually or $5,088 monthly.

To be eligible, a family must be a resident of the state, meet the income guidelines and be at nutritional risk. The WIC Program is provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which issues updated guidelines each June.

To apply to participate or for more information, contact the Gasconade County Health Department at 573-486-3129.

WIC clinics are held in the department’s Hermann offices at 1714 Wein Street on the first and third Tuesdays of each month from 8:15 a.m. to  4:30 p.m. and on each Thursday at the agency’s offices in Owensville at 303 N. First Street from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The WIC Program is a widely used program in Gasconade County, especially in the southern portion of the county, which is served by the Owensville office. The northern portion of the county has a significantly older population and fewer families with children who could be served by the program.