More than 100,000 South Carolina mothers and children received federal assistance in May through a program that helps them eat and stay healthy, the most in seven years.
About 55.2% of the Palmetto State’s residents are covered by the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) nutrition program as of the second quarter of 2024. That’s up from 44.5% two years ago, according to the state Department of Public Health.
Berry Kelly, the program’s director, attributes the growth to a combination of a “great” team and technology as the state makes it easier for eligible parents to get and keep the assistance.
“It’s really about convenience for the customer and meeting them where they are,” he said.
May’s attendance total of 100,540 was the most for a particular month in the Palmetto State since March 2017. Last year, the average monthly attendance was 92,799, according to information from the state Department of Public Health.
The federally funded WIC program in South Carolina provides eligible mothers and their children under 5 with money to buy nutritious foods, education on healthy eating practices, breastfeeding support, immunization screenings and referrals to other programs. Kelly said good nutrition is important for overall health and education.
While benefit amounts will vary from person to person, Kelly estimates that eligible households will receive about $300 per month.
The program covers pregnant women, newborns, nursing mothers and children under the age of 5 in households making at or below 185% of the federal poverty level. For a family of three, that would be $47,767 as of July 1. If you are on Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps, you are automatically eligible.
Kelly said new tools are helping outreach efforts, such as providing nutrition education through online classes — the WIC program now has an online application and a mobile app — and it has moved from paper checks and vouchers to debit cards.
Kelly also said partner organizations, from hospitals to Head Start, play a key role in getting more eligible people into the program.
As of September last year, approximately 6.7 million people nationwide received WIC.
