The Mesa County Health Department
Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program is switching from a paper voucher
system to a debit-style card called eWIC, making shopping easier for WIC
families.
Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program is switching from a paper voucher
system to a debit-style card called eWIC, making shopping easier for WIC
families.
The eWIC card, which will be issued to
clients at their next visit, allows WIC participants to purchase as many or as
few WIC foods as they need each time they shop. The previously issued vouchers
or “checks” required all food benefits on a voucher to be purchased one at a
time. The new card will give WIC families a bit of flexibility in their
shopping.
clients at their next visit, allows WIC participants to purchase as many or as
few WIC foods as they need each time they shop. The previously issued vouchers
or “checks” required all food benefits on a voucher to be purchased one at a
time. The new card will give WIC families a bit of flexibility in their
shopping.
eWIC cards also use the store’s code
database to determine whether or not a specified food program is Colorado WIC
eligible, making the purchase of WIC foods simpler.
database to determine whether or not a specified food program is Colorado WIC
eligible, making the purchase of WIC foods simpler.
“The vouchers used with the old system
made the grocery shopping process cumbersome. It’s likely that families
hesitated to participate in the WIC Program because of the barriers associated
with the voucher process,” Mesa County Health Department Executive Director
Jeff Kuhr said. “The new debit-style cards will be much more convenient for our
families and will be attractive to those considering the program.”
made the grocery shopping process cumbersome. It’s likely that families
hesitated to participate in the WIC Program because of the barriers associated
with the voucher process,” Mesa County Health Department Executive Director
Jeff Kuhr said. “The new debit-style cards will be much more convenient for our
families and will be attractive to those considering the program.”
In Mesa County, 2,847 women, infants
and children use WIC. Each WIC household will receive one eWIC card, which
accesses an electronic account that tracks the family’s WIC food allowance,
deducts food as it is purchased and adds food allocated each month. Families
can track their WIC food several ways, including checking their most recent
cash register receipt.
and children use WIC. Each WIC household will receive one eWIC card, which
accesses an electronic account that tracks the family’s WIC food allowance,
deducts food as it is purchased and adds food allocated each month. Families
can track their WIC food several ways, including checking their most recent
cash register receipt.
WIC has openings for families, so tell
a friend. Call (970) 248-6914 to see if you qualify.
a friend. Call (970) 248-6914 to see if you qualify.