TRICARE
2008-12-01

Participants in the WIC program eat more nutritious food and have reduced rates of iron deficiency anemia. Research also shows that better eating habits help children become better students. WIC Overseas is available to eligible mothers-to-be, mothers and children who are part of the DoD family overseas, including members of the Armed Forces, civilian employees and DoD contractors and their family members.

WIC Eligibility

The program provides benefits to women during pregnancy and after the birth of their child. Benefits may be provided to the mother until the infant is six months old, or, for mothers who are breastfeeding, until the child's first birthday.

WIC Overseas also provides nutritional benefits for children, helping them achieve a wholesome, well-balanced diet. Eligible children may participate up to age five.

Income and family size, as well as certain other criteria, are considered when determining eligibility. You may also be eligible if you have participated in the stateside WIC program.

Contact your local WIC Overseas office to see if you and your children are eligible for WIC Overseas nutritional benefits. A WIC Overseas counselor will help you determine if you can join the program and, if so, will help you get started.

How WIC Works

The WIC Overseas program is designed to supplement the food you regularly buy with additional nutritional food items. Once you are a program participant, your nutrition counselor will customize your food package to fit your family's needs and lifestyle. Program staff will provide ideas for meal planning, food preparation and recipes that are nutritious, delicious and easy to prepare. Your counselor will give you an approved food list and redeemable food coupons called "drafts," which you exchange for specific foods and quantities in commissaries and NEXMARTs overseas (drafts are accepted at only these overseas stores).

The following food items are generally available through the WIC Overseas program:

• Iron-fortified infant formula and infant cereal
• Iron-fortified adult cereal
• Vitamin C-rich fruit and/or vegetable juice
• Eggs
• Milk
• Cheese
• Peanut butter
• Dried beans or peas
• Canned tuna
• Vitamin A-rich vegetables

In addition to nutritious food and meal planning, WIC Overseas provides nutritional screening and testing for your children. These screenings may identify medical conditions early, so that you can seek proper medical advice for your child.

To qualify for WIC Overseas ... Contact your local WIC Overseas office. A counselor at the office will determine if you are eligible for the program.

Did you know? There are no enrollment fees or costs to participate in WIC Overseas.

Can't get to the store? You may have a "proxy" shop for you. First, you must have your proxy formally registered with your WIC Overseas office. Ask your WIC Overseas counselor for the appropriate paperwork.

If you are in WIC in the U.S. ... You can continue your participation in the WIC Overseas program without having to re-qualify. Once you transfer overseas, contact your local WIC Overseas office to make arrangements to switch to WIC Overseas drafts.

Sign Up for our monthly Newsletter to receive more Military Family News. View our archived newsletters to see examples.