I've never bothered to apply for WIC with any of my other foster kiddos. It always seemed like way more trouble than it was worth, but I thought I'd give it a try this time with Monkey. Foster kiddos are automatically eligible, and you don't have to go through all of the income-verifying stuff, so why not? So the week after Chunky Monkey arrived, I gave the WIC office a call to find out what I needed to do.Gotta say, one thing I have noticed during my time as a foster parent is the way people treat you as soon as they find out. Hospitals, doctors' offices, different agencies and organizations, and now the WIC office... When I compare the way they treat me as a foster parent verses the way they treat the other people there, I feel bad for everyone else. I'm sure part of it is that they don't want to make things too easy because there are many people who do take advantage of the system, but there are also people who legitimately need the help while they are doing everything they can to get back on their feet, and I hate seeing those people treated like poo on the bottom of someone's shoe.
Anyway, I digress...
When I called the WIC office, I told the woman who answered the phone that I was a foster parent who just got a 2-month-old baby boy and asked what I needed to do in order to get his benefits started. Her tone changed immediately from hard and abrupt to helpful and conversational. I told her about the question on the spelling of his last name, and she looked him up in the system to see if he was already receiving benefits. She is the one who told me the correct spelling of his name! She asked me to fax in his placement paperwork and said that she would call me back to schedule an appointment as soon as she got everything entered. She called back in 5 minutes, and we made the appointment for the following morning! Somehow, I get the feeling that it probably isn't quite that easy for everyone else...
So first thing the next morning, I loaded up Monkey and headed over to the WIC office. We were a little early, so I made the drastic mistake of sitting down to wait. My Facebook status that morning I believe was something along the lines of "
Gotta admit, I was pretty happy to get out of there with my little card and 2 1/2 months worth of WIC benefits for Monkey. I had my online "assignment" to be completed before I go back in July in hand. I do think it's a little silly that foster parents have to take the same classes as everyone else when it comes to WIC. I mean, really? I think foster parents have more training than just about anyone on the planet already! Luckily, the WIC classes will count towards my yearly training requirements so I guess I won't complain too much. But with the training classes and the sticky seats along with having to listen to the workers talk down to everyone else, I still wasn't sure it was going to be worth it.
And then I went to the grocery store and got $140 of formula absolutely free...
I used WIC for a little while with one of our foster kids many years ago. I ended up quitting it about 6 months into the program. Like you, I noticed how they treated everyone. I hated the two-faced approach. It really, really bothered me! Also, the additional health appointments became a pain in the neck. I was already taking my little guy for all his well-child checks. It seemed redundant to have to bring him to the WIC office for the same basic check.
ReplyDeleteIt's a good program in theory. But it ended up not being worth it to me.
We did it with Lil Bit since he was already in the system & Mom was receiving benefits although he lived with us. However, WIC denied us coverage when Lil Bit's order from removal supposedly "expired".
ReplyDeleteIt was good while it lasted, especially for the formula. If we get another baby, we will probably apply, but not otherwise.
WIC was a life saver for us when we were placed with four month old twins. We were saving $500 a month in formula!
ReplyDeleteWe use WIC each time we have foster kids that meet the age.
ReplyDeleteSounds like it is worth it to me. Here is a link to help you only spend $5.00 on the personal hygiene (includes tic tacs) http://thekrazycouponlady.com/2011/06/11/cvs-extreme-couponing-week-of-612-5-00-or-less/
ReplyDeletewhen we had all three little girls it was totally worth it. now that we are down to one i will probably stop once it expires. if we get a baby i will def. use it tho
ReplyDeleteI didn't use WIC with our first foster baby because of "pride," and the fact that we do not financially need it. Then I realized that it's just a benefit for them like the Medicaid they're on or the board payment that buys their clothes, etc, and I sure as heck would not quit them from Medicaid, LOL!(We've had medical needs babies) I wish I could say that I've noticed I get treated better, but in my case, they treat me like crap, and I want to say "LOOK! Im not an ignorant person...Im a FOSTER MOM who has cared for more kids than all the women in this building put together, and I KNOW how to feed a baby, for pete's sake." I had an argument with the nutritionist about why I do not give apple juice to any of my children. According to her, they NEED a serving of fruit juice per day. (Really? A whole apple doesnt count?)
ReplyDeleteHonestly, though, the biggest reason I would quit going would be to not have to sit next to people complaining about how long they have to wait for their FREE food. We usually have to wait for 1-2 hours at appointment time, and while it is irritating, I don't complain, because free is free. Beggars cant be choosers, I say.
I don't know who would've told you that fruit juice is necessary for your children? That sounds a bit off kilter. It's loaded with sugar! Usually they will tell you the opposite, very little juice if any, and diluted as well. My other comment to your post is that I noticed you seemed a bit insensitive addressing lengthy wait times for clients @ WIC appts, then added you don't complain because it's free & "beggars can't be choosers". That still doesn't mean that it's not a major inconvenience for a mother (or guardian) to have to spend that long in a waiting area while trying to entertain her child(ren) for over an hour. They specifically schedule your appt around what works for you (for example you can tell them Friday's @ 2pm, because you are available then) so they should not make you wait *hours* for your appt, especially if you arrived on time or early. Even in a waiting area full of toys & activities for children, it is still tough to wait long periods with little ones. And if you've ever had experience with kiddos with special needs, it can be much harder. I have a daughter who completely flips out whenever we go someplace unfamiliar, so having to handle that in public in a waiting room full of strangers gawking at you isn't the easiest thing ever. And just because you're getting something *free* shouldn't mean you have to go through hell to get it. Most women on the WIC program are very low income & it's not like we "choose to be", but we all have unique circumstances, but I disagree that should mean it's acceptable to treat WIC recipients badly, or subject them to deliberately long wait times, simply because they're giving you free benefits. Free...but @ what price? Personally, I think it's better to simply use SNAP benefits (aka food stamps) you can get everything you need including what WIC gives you for less hassle. You still have to provide verifications to DTA, but not every few months like WIC. It's controversial, but all good things come with a catch & government paid programs are no exception!
DeleteI have used WIC off and on for about 8 years depending upon the ages of my foster children. For infants under 1, the formula benefit is well worth it! I have experienced the "better" treatment at the WIC office you describe (but luckily not the sticky chairs). Some of the staff recognizes me and been very accommodating, especially once when I showed up the day before my appointment because I had written it down wrong. They have also cut me some slack on the required classes.
ReplyDeletewhere do you all live man? The WIC office Tigger goes to is very nice to everyone that walks through the door. Now there was one time where I was 10 min. late and I had to reschedule because it was one of those foster classes (they do segregate the classes by foster parents and the rest of the parents) and that was a pain, but other than that it helps out with some basics....way useful when formula is involved.
ReplyDeleteMy only thing was that I'm too truthful, so I had to start lying about giving a bottle to my over 1 year old because they would give me a hard time...hello people, I'm hispanic albeit very americanized 1st generation born woman, I had my bottle til I was 6 and have never had a cavity in 33 years and counting, and so don't lecture me about a 16 mo old still taking morning and night bottles ok? She was able to drink from a straw during the day so there and I just took her to the dentist and she has perfect teeth :) ha ha!
I know this is an old post, but just wanted to comment. LOL I keep taking Tigger to WIC because she still qualifies due to her medi-cal insurance even though she is now my daughter...because they have my foster family number in the system so when I get another placement I won't have to re-do everything.
I honestly don't know anymore whether I feel WIC is truly worth the hassle they put mothers through, both new & young, experienced & older. They do help out a lot, but they are very judgemental. They basically make you jump through hoops to receive benefits & they pretty much crucify women who can't (or simply choose not to) breastfeed their babies. Last I knew it was up to the Mother, but they really shove that "breast is best" down your throat. And this is coming from a Mom of 4 who breastfed all of her children for some period of time. But during my last baby, I struggled to feed her by breast being a preemie & having to separate while she was in the NICU for 2 weeks & the stress I was under. So it didn't last much more than a month or so, and WIC literally takes away benefits from Mothers & give you a different smaller food package as a "punishment" to those who aren't breastfeeding their babies. It's so ridiculous really. It's a very personal decision. That being said if you want or need the benefits, unfortunately you have to play their game. But prepare to be judged & have them all in your business for as long as you use their program. And they have 0 experience with special needs kids! Or @ least in my area it's like that. I get that it's a government paid program but they really do have plenty of room for improvement starting with the way they treat clients. An ounce of respect can go a long way. After all, you know nothing about us, our home lives, our circumstances. You see us for maybe 30 mins (give or take) & act like you're doing us an enormous favor when it's not like the benefits are coming directly from your bank account. I've been involved with WIC on/off for several years & now that my youngest are 4.5 & 3, I'm considering saying goodbye to that nonsense.
ReplyDelete