Benefits Come as Part of Statewide Incentive to Support 700,000 women and children through December 2021
With the holidays quickly approaching, eligible families in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) in Harris County have a great opportunity to benefit from a statewide incentive that would bring more healthy food to their tables.
Texas WIC is temporarily increasing benefits throughout the state for families to purchase more fruits and vegetables through December 2021. The increase, approved by the U.S. Congress in September, could help approximately 700,000 women and children in Texas.
“We are proud to be able to help families provide nutritional food to their young children,” said Texas WIC Director Edgar Curtis. “Fruits and vegetables are essential to provide the right nutrients, vitamins and minerals at the critical developmental stages of pregnancy, breastfeeding, infancy and early childhood.”
WIC clients must visit a WIC office to receive the following monthly benefits through the rest of the year:
- Children: $24
- Pregnant, postpartum and some breastfeeding clients: $43
- Fully and partially breastfeeding clients: $47
In January 2022, the benefits will return to their original amount of $11 for pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women and $9 for children 1 to 5 years old.
“We are excited about being able to provide these additional benefits to our WIC clients, especially at a time when families gather together for the holidays,” said Jolene Norbert-Harrell, WIC director at Harris County Public Health (HCPH). “We encourage all WIC families to take advantage of this increase so that they can save on expenses to feed their loved ones.”
Select HCPH WIC clinics are offering extended hours to serve families at the following dates, times and locations. (Walk-ins are accepted on these dates.)
- Friday, November 19, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Shaver, Antoine, Bear Creek and Emerald Plaza WIC centers - Friday, December 3, 2:30 p.m. – 5:30pm
Baytown, Shaver, Antoine, Tomball, and Fallbrook WIC centers
Click here for directions to all HCPH WIC locations and their regular hours of operation.
For more information or to schedule an appointment on any other dates, contact WIC at (713) 407-5800 or wicgeneral@phs.hctx.net.