The WIC Program

Support for women, infants, children, and families

The WIC Program assists families with low income, new mothers (breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding), and infants and children up to age 5 at nutritional risk through providing essential nutrition counseling and breastfeeding promotion and support.

WIC resources include supplemental food, health care referrals, nutrition education, and help with breastfeeding.

Our WIC Program has two locations: one in the East End of Bridgeport and the other in the city of Stamford.

The WIC Program at OPTIMUS provides the following:

• 1-on-1 consultation with a nutritionist or trained professional about your diet and/or your child’s diet
• Breastfeeding support and information
• Opportunities to meet and exchange information with other families with young children
• Referrals to health care and other social service programs
• An eWIC card to buy healthy food for you and your children

The following individuals and families can receive WIC services:

• While supporting a pregnancy and up to 6 weeks after birth or after pregnancy ends
• During breastfeeding (up to infant’s first birthday)
• Throughout the postpartum period (up to 6 months after the birth of an infant or after pregnancy ends)
• Infants (up to first birthday). WIC serves 45% of all infants born in the United States
• Children up to their fifth birthday (fathers, grandparents, foster parents, or other guardians may apply for WIC for their children)

Eligibility Requirements

• Must meet the WIC income guidelines, which are set at or below 185% of the federal poverty income limit (WIC can count an unborn infant as a household member unless it is against your beliefs to do so). **
• Complete a nutrition assessment with WIC staff. You and your WIC nutritionist will talk about you, your baby’s or your child’s eating habits, overall health, and any questions about your family’s health or nutrition goals.
• Live in Connecticut, but you do not need to be a U.S. citizen. (WIC does not require proof of citizenship or immigration status, and participation in WIC will not affect your immigration or naturalization status.)
• Click here to access WIC’s Interest Form: https://dphsubmissions.ct.gov/CTWIC_Interest_Form

Our approach:

• Clinical understanding and human compassion. We support women, infants, children, and families with nutrition education and understanding of their unique situation.
• Care with sensitivity. Our WIC program is administered without discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, or age.

OPTIMUS WIC Locations

1450 Barnum Avenue, Suite 205, Bridgeport, CT 06610

805 Atlantic Street, Stamford, CT 06902

1575 Thomaston Avenue, Waterbury, CT 06704

WIC Forms

Certification/Medical Referral Form – Infants and Children

Certification/Medical Referral Form – Women

Medical Documentation Form – Infants and Children

Medical Documentation Form – Women

WIC FAQs

For more information about the WIC Program, click on the following link: WIC Frequently Asked Questions

Other women’s health programs & support

• Empowerment, Mindfulness, Motivation & Education (emme)
• Women’s Health
• Breastfeeding Support

Non-Discrimination Statement

USDA Non-Discrimination Statement

** Recipients of the Special Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP, assistance under the Temporary Family Assistance (TFA) program, or the HUSKY (Medicaid) program are automatically income-eligible for the WIC program. A person who documents that he/she is a member of a family that contains a TFA recipient or that contains a pregnant woman or an infant who receives HUSKY/Medicaid shall also be determined adjunctively income-eligible for WIC.