New rules for CNMI WIC participants

The Commonwealth Healthcare Corp’s CNMI Women, Infants and Children Program has new guidelines for WIC income eligibility and “WIC to GO,” a new shopping platform.

Income eligibility

The CNMI WIC Program continues its efforts to ensure food access, breastfeeding support, and reassurance for young families during the COVID-19 pandemic. WIC is available to CNMI’s pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, infants, and children under the age of 5 who are at nutritional risk and who are at or below 185% of the federal poverty thresholds, which is demonstrated below. A pregnant woman is considered two family members.

All WIC income eligibility guidelines are based on gross Income, meaning before taxes or other deductions.
A person or certain family members who participate in other benefits programs, such as the Nutrition Assistance Program or Medicaid, automatically meet the income requirement.

Become a WIC client
Call us at (670) 664-4084 to see if you qualify. In this new normal, we continue to do remote services, so it is important to have a working phone number where we can reach you.

Essential documents for your certification
For each person who will be enrolling into the WIC program, bring:
• Identification for adults (driver’s license, photo ID)
• Child’s Identification (Immunization Record, Birth Certificate, Crib Card)
• Proof of Income (30 days of recent pay stubs, Medicaid card, NAP card)
• Proof of address (mail from CUC, NAP card, map to residence)

WIC to GO

WIC to GO is designed to promote a safe, efficient, and equitable shopping experience during this time of crisis and new normal.

How does WIC to Go Work?
• Call a participating store to place an order for WIC food benefits as well as other store products (varies per store)
• Schedule a pick up time that works for you
• Make a payment using your eWIC card and pick up your groceries at the scheduled time.
Why should I use WIC to Go?
• It cuts your shopping time in half— this helps limit the time you spend in public places, which is so important now
• It’s easy and convenient
Where to Shop?
Beginning mid-July, 2020 WIC to GO will be offered at Joeten Kagman (call 256-6442)
By early fall:
• HAN NAM supermarket
• Blue Sky supermarket
• San Jose market
• Capitol Hill market
• Joeten Susupe
• Joeten Hafa Adai, Garapan
• Joeten Dandan
Tips for using WIC to Go
• Make a shopping list ahead of time
• Use your WIC app to find what you need
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The WIC to GO project is part of and made possible through the Catalyzing Retention Efforts in WIC grant through the National WIC Association by way of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The CNMI WIC is one of four awardees out of 37 applicants to receive this grant.

The purpose of the CREW grant is to address the national decline in participation in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) that has occurred over the last several years. As a recipient of this grant, the CNMI WIC program is responsible for creating and piloting creative practices that will impact the retention of WIC participants, increase WIC food redemptions, promote nutrition education and health equity in the CNMI community.

Stay informed and up to date on WIC to Go launch dates, store contact numbers and more by visiting CNMI WIC’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/cnmichcc, www.facebook.com/cnmi.wicprogram, or Instagram @cnmi.wic.

For general inquiries about the WIC Program or eligibility, call us at (670) 664-4084. The WIC Clinic is open Monday-Friday from 7:30am to 11:30am and 12:30pm to 4:30pm.

Stay informed and up to date with what is going on at WIC by visiting CNMI WIC’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/cnmichcc, www.facebook.com/cnmi.wicprogram, or Instagram @cnmi.wic. (PR)