CHEYENNE (WNE) — Thousands of Wyoming families continue to receive free nutritious foods and education, breastfeeding support and health care referrals through the Wyoming WIC Program, operated by the Wyoming Department of Health, the department said in a news release.

The Wyoming WIC Program features easy-to-use benefit cards participants use at local stores to get nutritious foods at no cost. Some WIC families also are eligible for infant formula benefits. WIC is primarily aimed at helping women who are pregnant or new moms, infants and children up to age 5.

Tina Fearneyhough, WIC program manager with WDH, noted the cards issued by the program were significantly improved last fall with user-friendly features.

“For example, if participants use their cards at one of the 75 or so stores involved with our program across the state, they don’t have to tell a cashier they are using WIC. Everything is much more automated,” she said.

Wyoming WIC serves families with incomes up to 185% of the federal poverty income guidelines. Qualifying income guidelines for WIC are being updated effective May 1:

. 1 person family — $28,593/year or $2,413/ month

. 2 person family — $39,128/year or $3,261/ month

. 3 person family — $49,303/year or $4,109/ month

. 4 person family — $59,478/year or $4,957/ month

. 5 person family — $69,653/year or $5,805/ month Families already using SNAP, TANF or Wyoming Medicaid benefits also qualify for WIC.

WIC is officially known as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, and is a joint federal and state government effort under the USDA.

Wyoming residents can apply for WIC benefits at health.wyo.gov/publichealth/wic/applyfor- wic/. WIC clinics are located throughout the state and can be found by using the “Clinic Locator” online at health.wyo.gov/publichealth/ wic/wic-clinic-locator/ or by calling 888-996-9378.