WIC & SNAP
We’re committed to improving the health and well-being of our community. And that means ensuring that everyone has access to a reliable supply of fresh, healthy food. Our certified application counselors can help you apply for programs like Women, Infants & Children (WIC) or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to ensure the nutritional needs of your family are being met.
Women, Infants, & Children (WIC)
Charles Drew Health Center understands the important role birth-giving people play and how essential it is to ensure their needs are met if we are going to create a thriving community. The WIC program allows CDHC to deepen its connections to the community through providing necessary resources, as well as identifying and supporting alternatives to traditional care.
We are committed to improving the health and well-being of women, infants, and children. Fathers may enroll eligible children as well.
Our WIC office can be found at the Highlander building, 2120 N 30th #100, Omaha, NE 68111.
Purpose
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) serves “about half of all infants born in the United States.” The WIC program aims to safeguard the health of low-income women, infants, and children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk by providing nutritious foods to supplement diets, information on healthy eating, and referrals to health care.
Need help applying or want to learn more about the program? Contact us here, find more information about WIC from the USDA, or review the WIC fact sheet.
Eligibility Guidelines
What is “nutritional risk”? Nutritional risk is determined by a health professional such as a physician, nutritionist, or nurse, and is based on federal guidelines. This health screening is free to program applicants.
- Two major types of nutritional risk are recognized for WIC eligibility:
- Medically-based risks (designated as “high priority”) such as anemia, underweight, maternal age, history of pregnancy complications, or poor pregnancy outcomes.
- Diet-based risks such as inadequate dietary pattern.
View the USDA’s income eligibility guidelines to see if you qualify. Income Eligibility Guidelines effective from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025.
| Annually | Monthly | Weekly | |
| Family of 1 | $27,861 | $2,322 | $536 |
| Family of 2 | 37,814 | 3,152 | 728 |
| Family of 3 | 47,767 | 3,981 | 919 |
| Family of 4 | 57,720 | 4,810 | 1,110 |
| Family of 5 | 67,673 | 5,640 | 1,302 |
| Family of 6 | 77,626 | 6,469 | 1,493 |
| Family of 7 | 87,579 | 7,299 | 1,685 |
| Family of 8 | 97,532 | 8,128 | 1,876 |
| For each add’l family member, add | + $9,953 | + $830 | + $192 |
While most states use the maximum guidelines, states may set lower income limit standards. A person or certain family members who participate in other benefits programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Medicaid, or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families automatically meet the income eligibility requirement.
Eliminating Stigma / Common Myths About Government Assistance
Who benefits from WIC?
- Children have always been the largest category of WIC participants. Of the 6.6 million people who received WIC benefits each month in FY 2023, approximately 3.62 million were children, 1.47 million were infants, and 1.49 million were women.
Who gets first priority for participation?
- Pregnant women, breastfeeding women, and infants determined to be at nutritional risk because of serious medical problems.
- Infants up to 6 months of age whose mothers participated in WIC or could have participated and had serious medical problems.
- Children (up to age 5) at nutritional risk because of serious medical problems.
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women and infants at nutritional risk because of dietary problems (like poor diet).
- Children (up to age 5) at nutritional risk because of dietary problems.
- Non-breastfeeding, postpartum women with any nutritional risk.
- Individuals at nutritional risk only because they are homeless or migrants, and current participants who without WIC foods could continue to have medical and/or dietary problems.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Charles Drew Health Center takes its role as an advocate in the Omaha community for equitable and culturally competent healthcare seriously. CDHC understands that no matter what led a person or family to need assistance, access to help is essential to public health and safety. CDHC is proud to facilitate Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for all who qualify.
What is SNAP?
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) provides food benefits to low-income families to support their grocery budget. This enables families to afford the nutritious food essential to health and well-being. Benefits are loaded onto an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, which works like a debit card. Benefits are automatically loaded into accounts each month to be used for groceries at authorized food stores. SNAP benefits can be used to purchase:
-
- Fruits and vegetables
- Meat, poultry, and fish
- Dairy products
- Breads and cereals
- Other foods such as snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages
- Seeds and plants, which produce food for the household to eat
Certified application counselors are available to assist you with SNAP applications and recertifications.
Purpose
Since 1933, SNAP has been providing temporary help for millions of low-income people and families across the United States. During that time the program has successfully:
- Lifted individuals and families out of poverty
- Reduced food insecurity
- Increased access to healthy food options
- Reduced racial disparities in multiple areas
- Boosted children’s health and school performance
You can find additional information and support for SNAP via the USDA and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.
