New WIC income guidelines implemented

Participants in New Jersey's WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) supplemental nutrition program have revised income guidelines to observe.

WIC is open to pregnant and breastfeeding women and children under age 5. It gives low-income families access to nutrition coordinated with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and food vendors.

Guidlines that took effect July 1 through the federal Department of Health and Human Services set the eligibility bar for gross annual income to be equal or less than the poverty guideline of 185 percent.

A single individual's maximum unadjusted annual earnings is placed at $21,775. Income for a family of four has a limit of $44,863, which Ocean County Health Department's Public Health Cooridnator Dan Regenye said is $740 higher than in the previous listing.

The complete breakout of income eligibility by family size can be found here.

Any family interested in applying for WIC in Ocean County can call OCHD in Toms River at 732-341-9700, ext. 7520; in Lakewood, 732-370-0122; or in Manahawkin, 609-978-2500.

The Health Department also keeps a complete list of services on its web page.