About WIC

About WIC

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Operation Threshold provides Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) services in Benton, Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Chickasaw and Grundy Counties.  WIC is a federally funded program that has been providing food assistance, nutrition education and referrals to other social services agencies since 1974.

Those eligible for WIC services include pregnant women, women who are breastfeeding are eligible up to one-year postpartum, women who are not breastfeeding are eligible for six months postpartum, and infants and children up to age five. Participants must also have income below 185% of the federal poverty level or receive Medicaid for themselves.  Income eligibility is determined by gross household income. For 2024-2025, the income guidelines are as follows (effective July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025):

Persons in Household

185% of Federal Poverty Guidelines

1 Person Household – $27,861
2 Person Household – $37,814
3 Person Household – $47,767
4 Person Household – $57,720
5 Person Household – $67,673
6 Person Household – $77,626
7 Person Household – $87,579

For each additional person +$9,953

WIC also has a Breastfeeding Peer Counseling program! The goal of the Program is to increase the initiation and duration of breastfeeding by WIC participants. Peer counselors provide breastfeeding information, support and encouragement to pregnant women and new moms. Breastfeeding support assists these women and helps to improve the health of their children. All Peer counselors have breastfeeding experience and have received specialized training.

WIC promotes the best start for babies through breastfeeding education and ongoing support. Pregnant women receive educational information from WIC on feeding choices for their babies.

WIC also allows the use of food dollars to provide breast pumps to moms who will miss feedings due to school, work, or when an infant is hospitalized.

To make an appointment or for more information on the WIC program, please call (319) 291-2065.

If you have difficulty understanding English or have a disability, free language assistance or other aids and services are available upon request. Deaf Relay: (Hearing or Speech Impaired) 711 or 1-800-735-2942