WIC ANNOUNCEMENT

1440 Parkside Avenue Ewing, NJ 08638
This is the new address for WIC change is effective June 15th

CHSofNJ Mercer WIC Services Available by Phone:
Call Your Local Agency: 609-498-7755
During the COVID-19 pandemic: Current participants will continue to receive benefits and new participants can call your local WIC clinic to apply.

In response to the increasing concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, our Mercer County WIC Program on Bellevue Avenue and all satellite sites are now working 100% remotely and not open to the public effective April 13th and until further notice.

Our program staff will be conducting Remote (Re) Certifications. Certifications will be conducted via landline, WIC/agency cell phone or encrypted video application (for example, WhatsApp) when the participant is not present. Our program will also provide Remote Nutrition or Breastfeeding Assessment/Counseling/Education. The assessments, counseling or education sessions will be conducted via landline, cellphone or encrypted video application (for example, WhatsApp) when the participant
is not present. Participants’ checks will be processed, printed and mailed daily to each household once the participant’s address is verified. Participants may receive 1-3 months-worth of checks based on their situation. Please keep in mind that Remote (Re)Certifications may take 30-45 minutes, and that personal information will be asked (income, proof of address, health questions, etc.).

New participants or participants who want to re-enroll in the WIC program must leave a message at 609-498-7755 and a Nutritionist will call them within 24 business hours to complete the process by phone. The following documents are still needed for certification:

1) Proof of family’s income

2) Proof of address

3) Proof of ID for every person

4) Health care referral form filled out, if applicable

5) Immunization records of infant/child.

Servicios de WIC de CHSofNJ Mercer disponibles por teléfono:
Llame nuestra oficinal al: 609-498-7755
Durante la pandemia de COVID-19 los participantes actuales continuarán recibiendo beneficios y los nuevos participantes pueden llamar a la clínica local de WIC para solicitarla.

En respuesta a las crecientes preocupaciones que rodean la pandemia de COVID-19, nuestro Programa WIC del condado de Mercer en Bellevue Avenue y todos los sitios satelitales ahora están trabajando al 100% de forma remota y no están abiertos al público a partir del 13 de abril y hasta nuevo aviso.

El personal de nuestro programa llevará a cabo certificaciones y re-certificaciones de manera remota. Las certificaciones se realizarán a través de teléfono, teléfono celular o a través aplicación de video encriptada (por ejemplo, WhatsApp) cuando el participante no esté presente. Nuestro programa también proporcionará evaluación / asesoramiento / educación sobre nutrición remota o lactancia materna. Las sesiones de evaluación, asesoramiento o educación se realizarán a través de una aplicación de video fijo, celular o encriptada (por ejemplo, WhatsApp) cuando el participante no esta presente. Los cheques de los participantes se procesarán, imprimirán y enviarán diariamente a cada hogar una vez que se verifique la dirección del participante. Los participantes pueden recibir cheques por valor de 1 a 3 meses según su situación. Tenga en cuenta que las certificaciones remotas pueden demorar entre 30 y 45 minutos, y que se le solicitará información personal (ingresos, comprobante de domicilio, preguntas de salud, etc.).

Los nuevos participantes o participantes que quieran volver a inscribirse en el programa WIC deben dejar un mensaje al 609-498-7755 y un nutricionista los llamará dentro de las 24 horas para completar el proceso por teléfono. Los siguientes documentos aún son necesarios para la certificación:

1) Comprobante de ingresos de la familia

2) Comprobante de domicilio

3) Prueba de identificación de cada persona

4) Formulario de referencia de atención médica completado, si corresponde

5) Registros de vacunación de lactantes / niños.–

CHSofNJ Mercer WIC Program

Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC)

New Jersey WIC Services provides supplemental nutritious foods to pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants and children up to the age of five. WIC services include nutrition education and counseling, breastfeeding promotion and support, immunization screening and health care referrals. Enrollment is open to all eligible applicants. More information is available here: NJ Gov WIC.

WIC is an income-based nutrition program for pregnant women and women who recently had a baby, infants, and children up to the age of five. WIC offers:

nutrition education
breastfeeding education and support
checks for free nutritious food
health care referrals
voter registration

To view the WIC national breastfeeding week proclamation click here.
WIC Offices adjusting to their “new norm” due to covid-19,click here for video

Click here to view our USDA Nondiscrimination Statements

For more information please call (609) 498-7755 or visit 416 Bellevue Avenue Trenton, New Jersey 08618

View CHSofNJ Mercer WIC Hours and Locations Here- Please Follow our covid-19 schedule(no in office appointments)

What are the WIC Eligibility Requirements?

If you are:

Pregnant (up to six weeks after delivery)
Postpartum (up to six months after delivery)
Breastfeeding (up to one year if you continue breast feeding)
An infant
A child under five years old

And:

Have a nutrition or medically related health risk
Live in New Jersey (proof of residency required)
Meet income guidelines (proof of income required) WIC income eligibility requirements are located here: WIC Program Info

How Do I Apply?

Please call the WIC office at (609) 498-7755 for an appointment. Follow the instructions below for what to bring to your appointment.

What Do I Need to Bring to My Appointment? For your first appointment and all recertification appointments, please bring all of the following:

every woman, infant, or child applying for the program
your Medicaid or Families First cards, if you have either
proof of household income no more than 30 days old (includes paystubs, unemployment; Social Security; disability, child support, alimony, etc.)
proof of address in your name, no more than 30 days old (a letter mailed to you, a utility bill, your lease, etc.)
proof of identity for each person who applying for WIC (WIC ID folder, driver's license, crib card, social security card, or birth certificate)
your children’s immunization records!

What is a Certification Period?

A certification period is the time when you are eligible to get WIC benefits. When your certification period ends, you will need to recertify. For recertification appointments, you will need to bring everything under the “What Do I Need to Bring to My WIC Appointment?” section again.

How Long Can I Stay on WIC

Pregnant women can apply for the WIC Program at any time during their pregnancy. They must recertify after they have their baby. Breastfeeding women can stay on WIC until their infant's first birthday (they will recertify when the infant turns 6 months old). Non-breastfeeding women or women who stop breastfeeding receive benefits up to 6 months after baby is born. Infants and children are certified for 6 months and must be recertified every 6 months up to 5 years of age.

What Foods Can I Buy With my WIC checks

Your Authorized Foods List names all the types, sizes and brands of WIC foods we allow. Notice that it lists specific juices, cheeses, and cereals. These are the only ones allowed. Each check tells you exactly what size and type of food to buy with that check. You cannot choose different sizes or types. NOTE: Spend each check within its valid dates. Expired checks are not replaced! You can view a list here: NJ Gov WIC Program Information A list of authorized vendors per county can be found here: NJ Gov WIC authorized vendors. Click here for a list of Mercer County Farmer Markets that accept WIC checks.

What Should I Feed my Baby?

WIC encourages women to breastfeed their babies for the best infant nutrition and a healthy start! Our Breastfeeding staff is here to help! If you choose to formula feed, WIC provides only iron- fortified formula until your baby is 1 year old. WIC is a supplemental program, and does not provide all of the food you will need for the entire month. Your baby's WIC checks will allow you to buy only the brands approved by the State WIC Office. You cannot exchange WIC approved formula for another brand at the store.

What is an Alternative Authorized Representative or a Proxy?

If the Authorized Representative signs a form designating an Alternate Authorized Representative, the other parent or a legal guardian may represent an infant or child at a recertification. An Alternate must be at least 18. This Alternate can serve as a Proxy too. If the Authorized Representative wants only a Proxy, they can choose anyone over the age of 16 just to pick up checks or cash them at the store. Ask the WIC representative about choosing an Alternate Authorized Representative or a Proxy. An Alternate and a Proxy must know what foods are allowed and how to cash the checks.

What if I Lose My Checks or ID

Lost checks are not replaced, so please keep them in a safe and secure place. Call the WIC office to report a lost or damaged ID or stolen checks. Stolen checks may be replaced if you provide a police report. WIC ID folders can always be replaced if you bring in a proof of ID.

What if I Move?

Call WIC immediately at (609) 498-7755. If you move within the area, please let us know your new address. If you leave New Jersey, we can arrange to transfer you to another WIC program.

When Will WIC Benefits Stop?

Eligibility will end if:

your child reaches 5 years of age
you stop breastfeeding and your baby is 6 months or older
your family income exceeds WIC limits
you do not recertify after your current eligibility period expires
You may be disqualified (terminated) if you:
enroll in more than 1 WIC program or clinic at the same time, including those in Pennsylvania, New York, or Delaware
give false information about your income, family size, residence, etc.
steal WIC checks
physically or verbally abuse or threaten a WIC staff or store employee
use WIC checks to buy foods that are not authorized
sell WIC checks or WIC food to others
take cash or credit for WIC checks instead of buying authorized foods;
spend or try to spend checks you reported as lost or stolen;
make any changes on your checks, like alter the date or food amount
exchange WIC formula or food for other brands
spend checks before or after the dates listed on them
let someone other than your Proxy or Alternate Authorized Representative use your checks or WIC ID
spend your checks at a store that is not authorized to cash your checks

These actions can result in either a warning letter or disqualification. If you are disqualified, you will not be allowed to reapply until the disqualification period expires. You may have to pay back benefits you were not supposed to receive.

If I Lose My Benefits, Can I Appeal

If you are denied benefits or are disqualified, you may ask for a Fair Hearing within 60 days of notification. You or your representative may call, write, or visit the WIC office to request a Fair Hearing.

What Other Help is Available

Ask any WIC staff member for a list of local programs that may help you (daycares, SNAP, Medicaid, food pantries, utility assistance programs, shelters, etc).

Where are the other Mercer County WIC Offices?

Children’s Home Society of New Jersey’s Mercer County WIC Program 416 Bellevue Avenue Trenton, New Jersey 08618

Hours of Operation:

Monday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Tuesday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Wednesday: 10:30 AM - 6:30 PM

Thursday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM (check pick-ups only)

Mercer WIC Satellite Offices offer appointments on scheduled days and times in the following towns:

East Windsor · Hamilton · Princeton · Trenton

No drop-in appointments are available at satellite offices.

Call (609) 498-7755 for an appointment.

CHSofNJ Wic Launches the “Infant(s) at Work” Policy (page 6)
NJ Health Commissioner announces ad campaign for WIC during tour of Trenton Clinic

Mercer County WIC Program Calendar of Events (December 2019)

Breast Feeding in the Workplace Resources

Government in action on breast feeding
Health & Prevention(breast Pumps)
Going Back to Work
It’s Only Natural

Health & Social Service Support Agencies in the Mercer County Area

Health & Social Service Support Agencies

A checklist for what you will need for your first WIC appointment(or if you’re re-certifying)

A guide for what you will need
en español

PublicCharge NJDHS
PublicCharge NJ DHS spanish

COVID 19 Info Hub: https://covid19.nj.gov/

Remote (Re) Certification: Certification conducted via landline, WIC/agency cell phone or video application when the participant is not present.
Remote Nutrition or Breastfeeding Assessment/Counseling/Education: Assessment, counseling or education conducted via landline, cellphone or video application when the participant is not present.
NJ WIC Health Care Referral for Women (Pregnant, Breastfeeding, Non-Breastfeeding Women)-https://www.state.nj.us/health/forms/wic-41.pdf
NJ WIC Health Care Referrals for Medical Documentation for WIC Formula and Approved WIC Foods for Infants, Children, and Women-https://www.state.nj.us/health/forms/wic-11.pdf
NJ WIC Health Care Referral for Infant and Child- https://www.state.nj.us/health/forms/wic-42.pdf
WIC Food Substitution Flyers:
Department of Health
English
Espanol

**We ARE taking NEW clients as well as accepting participants who had been previously involved with the program but were not recently active. If they meet the eligibility criteria, they can re-enroll in the WIC program. New participants or participants who want to re-enroll in the WIC program must leave a message at 609-498-7755 and a Nutritionist will call them within 24 business hours to complete the process by phone. The following documents are still needed for certification: 1) Proof of family’s income; 2) Proof of address; 3) Proof of ID for every person; 4) Health care referral form filled out, if applicable and 5) Immunization records of infant/child.

WIC Food Substitution Flyers:
Department of Health
English
Espanol

Bottle Pacing Sp
Colostrum Sp
Enough Milk Sp
Feeding Decisions SP
Hand Expression Sp
Latch Eng and Sp
Making Milk Sp
Milk Storage Guide Sp
Positions Sp
Skin to Skin Sp
Tummy size Sp
When to Call SP
Alcohol Tobacco and Drugs English and Spanish
Infant Feeding Guide- English and Spanish
Infant Hunger Cues English and Spanish
Iron Rich Foods English and Spanish
Protect Your Baby and Yourself from Listeriosis English and Spanish
Wellness Tips for Mom’s English and Spanish
Alimentos Para su Nino de 1 a 3 anos
Alimentos Para su Ninos de 4 a 6 anos
Dele a su bebe un comienzo saludable
Problemas Comunes Relacionados Con el Embarazo
Que Intenta decirme Mi Bebe
NJWIC #20-021 COVID-19 Attachment Flyer (SPANISH) Sustituciones de alimentos

Bottle Pacing Eng
Colostrum Eng
Enough Milk Eng
Feeding Decisions Eng
Hand Expression Eng
Making Milk Eng
Milk Storage Guide Eng
Positions Eng
Skin to Skin Eng
Tummy size En
When to Call Eng
Common Complaints of Pregnancy
Food For Your Child 1 to 3 Years
Food For Your Child 4 to 6 Years
Give Your Baby a Healthy Start
Local Area Referrals
Local Food Pantries
NJ Parentlink
NJ WIC Online
What is My Baby Trying to Tell Me
Food Substitutions