The Mesa County Health Department Women , Infants and Children (WIC) Program is switching from a paper voucher system to a debit-style card called eWIC , making shopping easier for WIC families.
The eWIC card , which will be issued to clients at their next visit , allows WIC participants to purchase as many or as few WIC foods as they need each time they shop. The previously issued vouchers or “checks” required all food benefits on a voucher to be purchased one at a time. The new card will give WIC families a bit of flexibility in their shopping.
eWIC cards also use the store’s code database to determine whether or not a specified food program is Colorado WIC eligible , making the purchase of WIC foods simpler.
“The vouchers used with the old system made the grocery shopping process cumbersome. It’s likely that families hesitated to participate in the WIC Program because of the barriers associated with the voucher process ,” Mesa County Health Department Executive Director Jeff Kuhr said. “The new debit-style cards will be much more convenient for our families and will be attractive to those considering the program.”
In Mesa County , 2 ,847 women , infants and children use WIC. Each WIC household will receive one eWIC card , which accesses an electronic account that tracks the family’s WIC food allowance , deducts food as it is purchased and adds food allocated each month. Families can track their WIC food several ways , including checking their most recent cash register receipt.
WIC has openings for families , so tell a friend. Call (970) 248-6914 to see if you qualify.
