Using WIC Cards for Junk Food

it must have been food stamps, which totally needs to be better regulated. My sister in law bought a hundred bucks worth of easter candy with hers last year. I had a hard time biting my tongue on that one.

When I used WIC just three years ago it was a coupon system. The coupon was good for (and it stated on the coupon) 2 gallons of whole or 2% milk, 8 oz cheddar cheese, 1 jar pb, two frozen juice concentrates, ect. It was very specific and the items had to have a WIC approved label to be cashed in. And for us....chocolate milk was NOT on it.

well, they were not using WIC if they were buying that, I was on it at one point and it has very strict standards, also they recently made it even better by allowing you to get Organic items. Maybe they were using food stamps, they are on a debit card.

I think this is a reasonable question. I don't see anything in your post that is putting these people down due to arbitrary reasons. With 1 in 3 children overweight, this is a public health concern. I don't know the answer to your question but I myself wonder about "All the people going hungry in America". With all the social programs including food stamps, WIC, ect. who exactly is starving? I do think that there are a lot of children being malnourished but its because many of these parents are not making positive food choices for them.

I just read your update and delete. I was really annoyed how many people attacked you for "judging" the people you saw. I posted a similar question regarding a mother leaving 3 kids in the car while she went to a liquor store. I was attacked by some moms as a hypocrite because I myself was in the same liquor store only moments earlier with my son. Some people are ridiculous!

I don't blame you for asking and if it's your money being spent (indirectly) then why can't you question or even judge? I'm sure you work hard for your money as most of the rest of us do so I think we should be able to have a say how it's spent. That's interesting data on WIC and good to hear but seems like foodstamps should be better regulated then.

NOT WIC.
No way in heck.
When you're on WIC there are strict rules on what you can and can't get.
Unless the store is using them the wrong way.
You can only buy all natural things.
NO processed foods.
Milk,
cheese,
bread,
eggs,
beans
tuna,
juice,
cereal
and each of those items have strict rules on what is ok to buy.

My insight on this is that you are dead wrong. If there were ANY items that are WIC eligible, they would come off of the WIC card, the balance could have been cash or food stamps.
WIC has VERY specific guidelines for what IS eligible--only certain cereals, milk, cheeses, etc--check the website.
Maybe they were using EBT (Foodstamp pre-loaded card) and if they were, they are free to buy whatever edible items they choose.

If you're indeed looking for facts, check the website for yourself:
http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/benefitsandservices/foodpkgre...

WIC won't work for anything not on the program.

And Dori--you're right about no education, but that could be said about a lot of cash-paying Americans also!

There is NO WAY she used WIC to purchase junk it is very specific what you can purchase down to brand and size if its put in as a WIC transaction and is not a WIC item it will not allow the item to be scanned in.

With WIC you can purchase fresh, frozen, or canned veggies in fruit canned and frozen cannot have anything added to them, milk, cheese, eggs, whole grain bread or rice, peanut butter, beans, tuna if you are breastfeeding, baby formula (if you are using it) baby cereal and foods if you have a baby.

edited: NO Chocolate milk is not something you can purchase. Oh and if you really think that the store allowed her to purchase chocolate milk I think you should report the store to your local WIC so that the store can be looked into. Ticks me off when people take advantage of programs even worse is when people let them. It is also quite possible that he used food stamps.

I didn't read the responses so sorry if I'm repeating but WIC will not allow any junk food at all. It's all wheats, milk (not chocolate milk), fruits, veggies, cereals, etc. WIC is very health food focused. I'm not sure how food stamps work, I wouldn't be surprised if they were buying it with that. I completely understand your concern. I hear and see of people abusing the system all of the time and it ticks me off!

I haven't read what others have posted.

WIC stands for Women Infants and Children. WIC vouchers are strictly for the items that are on the the vouchers. And the vouchers are very specific on what you can get with them.

The Food Stamps program is different that WIC - there is regulations on what kind of food - no hot ready to eat food may be purchased with Food Stamps and that's it. So, you can buy JUNK food with Food Stamps (which drives me crazy by the way). I think that they should be able to regulate it more.

Those are not the kinds of foods you can buy with WIC. But you can buy those kinds of foods with food stamps. WIC is for Women (pregnant and nursing up to a year), Infants (formula, then cereal and juice) and Children (up to age 5-cereal, milk, juice, eggs, fruit, veggies, beans or peanut butter).

With WIC you get coupons that dictate what you can get and how much.

Food stamps is a dollar amount limit and the only restrictions are no alcohol, hot meals (like from the deli).

The biggest problem with the food stamp program is that there is zero education on using the funds to buy nutritious and healthy foods. So folks buy what they know and typically that is processed/convenience foods and junk.

Back in the day when I was a cashier people used their WIC cards for things like juice, formula, milk, cereal, eggs I think, you know basic necessities. Although a strong case can be made that you are in fact using WIC for junk if you spend your actually money on crappy, expensive food and the goverment's dime for what you need. I do remember lots of people using their food stamps for pretty nutrition poor food and then spending money on things like alcohol etc. I do have some friends on WIC and to my knowledge they are responsible about how they use it. But all too often I know that things like food stamps and WIC allow other funds to be used irresponsibly, it's human nature I guess. If you can have something and then feel free to get what you want, it is hard not to. It doesn't burn me up or anything, I just think that there are some who I am sure do use the help and benefit very much from it and others who just use it and stay in a downward cycle. It is a tough problem I sure don't have the answer.....

I used to work at a grocery store, and WIC is VERY specific about the type/brand of food you can get. Maybe they were using food stamps? I believe you can get any sort of grocery item aside from alcohol or cigarettes.

no way that can happen. WIC covers white milk, cereal, juice ,peanut butter or bean, cheese (but then you dont get as much milk) a whole grain option (tortillas, bread or rice), eggs, and a set $ amount of fresh or frozen veggies, tuna for breastfeeding mothers and for infants formula, cereal, and jar food. and it is all certain brands that are covered, and you speak to a nutritionist when u go to the WIC appiontments

WIC is not food stamps or Link. It only covers formula, milk, cereal, peanut butter, eggs, and maybe a couple other simple things. Maybe they had some formula or something you didn't see, not that I think it is any of your business. Look, I know you said you are not "casting stones", but you were and are clearly judging what you feel to be an acceptable purchase if someone is getting "assistance" so you might as well own it. The excuse of, well my brother is on assistance so I understand is about as truthful as the person who says, "I'm not prejudice--I have lots of black friends". Neither statement proves a thing. My point is that, if you have a problem with something that is fine, but don't try and twist it so you look good saying you have a problem. You wouldn't be posting a question like this on a mom's board if it didn't bother you. And even if you could buy junk food with WIC (which you can't) what is the matter with that? People on assistance aren't allowed to like junk food once in awhile. Really!

I myself have been in WIC and it is very limiting to whole, non-processed foods. For example, brown rice....WIC will only allow you to buy brown rice in the bag, not instant. Juices must be 100% juice, no sugar added etc.

A friend of mine however, was on the state assisted food stamps program and ate more than they ever had. A family of 5 got nearly $1000 a month and it covers any food item. They ate steak, crab legs etc but could buy anything even energy drinks etc.

I was on WIC for both my pregnancies and til my children reached the age of 5. There is no way those girls could have bought that stuff on WIC and that includes chocolate milk. There is set items for WIC purchases and the items you listed are not on that list.

WIC: Checks that can be used for very specific foods and brands only
EBT card:
Food: Any type of *food* item, with expedition of hot deli items (also depends from store to store)
Cash: Can be used like a debit card, no restrictions

Not all stores will take WIC or EBT.

when I was pregnant with my now 5 year old, wic did not cover any junk food. They covered things like cereal, cheese, peanut butter, milk, eggs. That is pretty much what I remember. I wasn't on it for very long because my husband got a new job that paid more after she was born. I think food stamps do cover junk food though because when I was a checker at our grocery store, people would buy soda with it.

WIC specifically only lets you buy: milk, cheese, cereal (like cheerios or total) peanut butter and eggs. That's all. At least that was what we could use it for like a century ago when I was on it.

Food stamps (or whatever it's politically correct to call it these days) is a preloaded debit card that allows you to purchase groceries (edible products - not toilet paper, etc.)..

Not sure if WIC is now a preloaded card or not.

I'm not here to agree or disagree.

Don't you buy things like this for special occasions? They could have had a birthday party and a big family.

John 8.7 - Let he among you without sin caste the first stone.

NO chocoalte milk isn't a covered item on WIC,WIC checks look like checks except it has the detailed item the ounces & limit they could of been using VISION cards & yes they aren't regulated I feel you about the junk food this is government assistance program for low income people it should be regualted to the items you buy not sugary junk food that will increase your obesity or ailment such as diabetes.My husband makes too much money but yet we still struggle from time to time to get what we need at the grocery store,yes I do qualify for WIC & now for Medicaid but not Vision card I won't use them till that is my last resort.

WIC is for women infants children--they allow you to buy milk, cheese, cereal, beans, healthy items for women, pregnant women and children. Maybe they were using the EBT card?? That is a foodstamp card taht you can buy pretty much anything you want. The wic is very specific about what type, brand, etc.of products you can purchase. I agree with you that healthy items should be purchased but I do need to say that some allowance to unhealthier foods should be allowed.

M

I didnt know you could buy that stuff on WIC I thought there were lists of allowed food, strange. Anyway as annoying as it is many people just dont know how to eat and how young are young girls? Teenagers? Maybe they were just on a one time binge?

Maybe you are talking about the EBT card? (food stamps) where the government gives an amount of money depending in your situation to spend on food? In that case it sucks that they are not using the money to at least eat healthy. I am pretty sure that for WIC they have a specific list of items that you can get and they don't include any oreos or chocolate milk.

When you ask a question that asks people their opinion then you are going to get answers you like and some that are obnoxious and rude. You just have to decide, before you post any questions, that you'll take the good and the bad and let it go and take what you need from it.

As for WIC, there is a list of very specific food that is allowed, even the wrong weight of a box of cereal will cause it to be rejected and you have to go get the right one or not get cereal. You are allowed only certain milk, if we get chocolate on any of our vouchers then we can only get 2% or lower on our other milk we get during the month. There is absolutely no junk food allowed on WIC.

There is no way to cheat on WIC. You get eggs, cheese, milk, bread or corn tortilla, 100% juice, peanut butter or beans, and sometimes buttermilk. They have recently cut back the money on the program and we get a LOT less than before but we still try to make it through to the next voucher without having to spend too much on milk. It is hard with little ones in the house though. Milk is more expensive than gasoline now. We also get $6.00 in fresh fruit, again only specific items are on a set list.

Now Food Stamps are another issue all together. You do need to remember that food stamps are just a supplement, about 20-25% of the actual food budget. So, if someone runs into a store and grabs a candy bar and a pop they have to spend their own money on actual food. The quick stuff is not the actual diet they live on. It is most likely a snack.

It is their choice where to spend whatever money they have. If they spend every penny of their wages on food at Wal-Mart and then want to get a candy bar and pop why can't they use their food stamp card to do so?

I hope you reconsider your membership. I didn't read your original post, but not everyone on here is judgemental. I have really enjoyed being on mamapedia and I understand that these opinions are coming from a diversed background. I wouldn't get angry if someone is unlearned about a topic or situaiton. I just keep reading and I decide which post I want to comment on and which one I don't.

Take care.....

You can not buy junk food on WIC. Each month you get a set amount of items, to include fresh or frozen fruits and veggies, cheese, white milk, cereal, and a whole grain bread or pasta. You have to get what is listed, and the brands and amounts are limited (only certain cereals, nothing sugary ect...) There is a little more freedom of choice with food stamps I believe, but not with WIC.

WIC doesn't cover the type of foods you described. It covers formula, cereal, and juice for infants. It covers milk, cheese, cereal, beans, peanut butter, and juice for women and children.

Food stamps/assistance allows you to purchase food and beverage items including sodas (but not already prepared meals).

Hi K. - didn't get to read your original question. Too bad, because I tend to find your postings intelligent, interesting, and thought-provoking as opposed to rehashing the same old, same old.

While I am sad that you would be leaving the Mamapedia community, I understand (I miss Mamasource too - it was much more tolerant, civil, friendly, and intimate). Hope you don't delete your account and you hang around for a while, but if you don't then best wishes to you and your family.