When the economy came toppling down in late 2008, it left millions of people in dire straits searching for a significant source of income to take care of their families. Even though mixed opinions exist on whether or not the recession officially ended, those families and thousands of new ones have found themselves stuck in a financial rut. Unfortunately, this means that some families do not have the adequate health care it takes to give birth to and raise a healthy, strong baby. Single mothers may find it especially difficult to provide nutritional foods for themselves, their infants, and their oldest children. The prolonged recession continues to leave a dent in the job market without any signs of recovering in the near future. Fortunately, the United States government has provided a temporary solution for struggling families: the Women, Infants, and Children supplemental food program.The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) supplemental food program aims to provide and safeguard the health of young, low-income women and their infants ages four and under. The Women, Infants, and Children supplemental food program provides nutritional foods, education, health care, and other social services. The United States Department of Agriculture oversees the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to administer and disperse all benefits to qualifying applicants of the program. The Women, Infants, and Children program accounts for nearly ten percent of federal spending on food and nutritional assistance for low-income families. It continues to make a big impact on families who desperately need financial assistance in very tough times.Young mothers who feel they need to apply for the Women, Infants, and Children supplemental food program should contact their federal, local, or state agency to schedule an appointment with a social worker to determine whether they are eligible for enrollment. In general, the applicant's local, state, or tribal districts will administer the Women, Infants, and Children program to qualifying families. Each of these agencies will determine whether the individual qualifies based on several requirements. For instance, the agencies only deem pregnant, postpartum, or breastfeeding mothers and their infants as eligible for the program. In addition, the applicants must live in the U.S. state where they submitted the application, and they must fall into an eligible income bracket determined by the agency in the applicant's district. Afterward, the applicant must pass a physical exam administered by a qualified physician, nurse, or nutritionist to determine whether the mother and her kids need nutritional intervention. The physical exam may include a height and weight measurement along with extensive blood work. These agencies will also conduct a medical-based background check to see if any underlying health risks currently exist for the applicant. If all of the exams clear, then the applicant will likely have their case looked at for further consideration.The Women, Infants, and Children program provides nutritional food packages for eligible applicants. The WIC supplemental food program offers a shopping guide that allows the applicant to enter a store or have pre-packaged foods delivered. If the applicant enters a store to purchase items, then she may only buy nutritional food items that qualify under the WIC program as defined by their local agency. The bulk of these foods are wholesome in nature, usually fresh meats, fruits, vegetables, grains, and dairy. The WIC program will not cover nutritionally void foods. Some organic foods are provided under the discretion of the local agency. Applicants should inquire with their nearest WIC agency about obtaining an applicable food list to choose the best selection. In addition, the WIC agency should provide an EBT card and food voucher with a monthly allowance. The Women, Infants, and Children program also provides breastfeeding promotion and support, nutritional education to revitalize the bodies of young women, and immunization and screening services. The WIC program may offer special grants for other services for eligible members of the food supplemental program.Follow these links to learn more about the Women, Infants, and Children (WIV) Supplemental Program:Women, Infants, and Children: The United States Department of Agriculture provides information for struggling parents who need financial assistance for supplemental food, health care, and nutritional education.Planned Parenthood WIC: Planned Parenthood provides supplemental foods for expecting mothers who need well-balanced nutritional meals.The National WIC Association: An association that supports the Women, Infants, and Children's supplemental food program.The Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants and Children (PDF): A fact sheet covering all of necessary information for female applicants who need financial assistance to help feed their children, or support their health through their pregnancy.An Evaluation of the WIC Program (PDF): The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition provides an abstract paper that evaluates the success or failure of the WIC supplemental food program.WIC - Women, Infants, and Children: Nutrition.gov offers a comprehensive list of resources for applicants interested in enrolling into the Women, Infants, and Children supplemental food program.Women, Infants & Children Program (WIC): The Allegheny County Health Department offers pertinent information about the WIC supplemental food program, including a brief description of the program as a whole and its individual services.The New WIC Foods: The Minnesota Department of Health provides a sample list of all foods that qualify for purchase under the Women, Infants, and Children supplemental food assistance program.Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC): The University of Miami educates struggling parents and newly expecting mothers on the Women, Infants, and Children's food supplemental program, including where to apply, who qualifies, and how long it will remain in effect before revoking benefits.Save Money by Enrolling in WIC: Cornell University provides a chart of nutritious foods for WIC participants.Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children: The University of Adelphi provides the eligibility guidelines for expecting mothers, infants, and children.Women, Infants & Children: A Special Supplemental Nutrition Program: The Albany Medical Center shares an easily accessible brochure for struggling mothers who need financial assistance to purchase nutritious foods for their infants and children.Unintended Consequences of the WIC Formula Rebate Program on Infant Feeding Outcomes (PDF): An abstract paper that explores the potential consequences of WIC participants who have a limited access to the foods provided under the guidance of the supplemental food program.Effects of WIC Program Participation on Food Consumption and Diet Quality (PDF): This abstract paper examines the potential negative side effects of prolonged participation in the WIC program.Basic Food Program & WIC: A webpage that provides an overview on the basics of the Women, Infants, and Children's food program, and the necessary steps it takes to get into the WIC.Featured CouponsFashion Codes & CouponsCarson Pirie Scott Promo CodeKeds Free CouponsModcloth CouponsWasteland Discount CodesMankind CouponsMilanoo Discount CodesBig Girls' Bras Discount CodesPopular CouponsThrifty Car Rental Free CouponsSirius XM Radio Discount Codes1 Sale A Day Free CouponsExOfficio Discount CodesClaire's CouponsAvast CouponsOverstock CouponsHome & HousewaresOn The Beach Coupon CodeFranklin Planner CouponsHive Free CouponsHome Decorators Collection Coupon CodeOn The Beach Promo CodeRhapsody CouponsCharbroil Discount CodesSports & FitnessNorthern Tool And Equipment Free CouponsNike Store Promo CodeBurton Discount Codes2Xist Online CouponsDenise Austin Discount CodesMagic Future Free CouponsJillian Michaels Body Revolution Online Coupons