WIC ANNOUNCEMENT

To assist with the coordination of the State’s efforts to appropriately prepare for and respond to the public health hazard posed by Coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) and following Governor Murphy’s Executive Order 107, we are practicing social distancing therefore building is closed to participants.

CHS will be operating the WIC Mercer Program with a modified weekly schedule utilizing a “drive-thru/walk-thru” option when picking-up benefits only. All clients, regardless of which clinic they normally go to, can use the “drive-thru/walk-thru” when reloading their benefits. Effective Monday, March 23^rd, 2020, and until further notice, the WIC Program will only be operating out of the Bellevue Avenue location between the hours of 8 am and 2 pm Monday through Friday.

Initial Certification is limited to newborn 8 weeks old or less and other categories on a case-by-case basis. To schedule an appointment call: (609) 498-7755.

Participant may visit the State of New Jersey WIC website to obtain information on “What to Bring to WIC” appointment. For more details click here.

Para ayudar con la coordinación de los esfuerzos del Estado para prepararse y responder adecuadamente a la crisis de salud pública planteada por la enfermedad de Coronavirus 2019 (“COVID-19”) y siguiendo la Orden ejecutiva 107 del gobernador Murphy, estamos practicando el distanciamiento social, por lo tanto, el edificio está cerrado a los participantes.

CHS estará operando el Programa WIC Mercer con un horario semanal modificado que utiliza una opción de “conducir a través / caminar” al recoger los beneficios solamente. Todos los participantes, independientemente de la clínica a la que acudan normalmente, pueden usar el “drive-thru / walk-thru” para acceder a los beneficios de WIC. A partir del lunes 23 de marzo de 2020, y hasta nuevo aviso, el Programa WIC solo estará operando fuera de la ubicación de Bellevue Avenue entre las 8 am y las 2 pm de lunes a viernes. Los participantes dentro de un período de certificación válido tienen la opción de recibir sus cheques a la dirección registrada por correo.

La certificación inicial se limita a los recién nacidos de 8 semanas o menos y a otras categorías según el caso. Para hacer una cita llame al (609) 498-7755

CHSofNJ Mercer WIC Program

ATTENTION WIC FAMILIES! Due to construction at the Hamilton Township Department of Health Offices, our Hamilton Office will be TEMPORARILY MOVED to the McManimon Building, located at 320 Scully Avenue (just off of Olden Avenue, between Liberty Street and Cedar Lane, opposite the Olden Pharmacy) for appointments scheduled on FEBRUARY 19th AND 26th. For more information, please call 609-498-7755.

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.

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

Monday, Tuesday & Thursday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Wednesday: 10:30 AM – 7:30 PM

Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM (by appointment only)

Saturday(2nd and/or 3rd): 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM (by appointment only)

View CHSofNJ Mercer WIC Hours and Locations Here

2018 Friday satellite and Saturday schedule

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.