WIC... Is it really worth the stress?

[JoyceLynn]

I applied on 9/18 because I was pregnant, broke & needed help.  That appt was at 10am, I got there an hour early but still didn't make it to work until almost 1pm.  They had me scheduled to come in today for the first time since Sept... to pick up vouchers at 2pm.  Again I got there early hoping this time to be able to do it on my lunch break.  I'm on salary so any time I miss, I have to make up by working through lunches, coming in early or staying late so that I'm not docked on vacation time or my paycheck when that runs out.  I work 30 mins away from where I live so I wasted 1/4 tank of $3/gal gasoline because I waited an hour & never saw anyone!  Yet they have stamped on the envelope that if YOU are 15 minutes late, you'll be rescheduled & if you miss an appt, you lose vouchers.  I asked them if I could come back Thursday & they flat out said I can only come back today after work or wait until next Tuesday.  I'm 30 wks pregnant & don't need this extra stress.  I sent an email to the Georgia WIC site but somehow doubt I'll get any response b/c it's the gov't & why should they actually care?

How is this system supposed to "help" people who are already hurting from lack of money when it seems to be now costing me more to be ON the program than it's actually saving me?  My most expensive voucher so far has been for 16 bucks.  I know it'll probably go up after the baby is here but I don't see how it's worth all this now when it's only saving me maybe $40/month.  You only get milk, eggs, juice, cheese, the occasional box of cereal of their set choices, & the occasional peanut butter or dried beans.  Yeah, that's a meal.

Anyone else with this problem???  Any advice???

[MomOfTwo1978]

Nov. 13, 2007 at 5:06 PM I have never had a problem with WIC.  We don't need it as bad as we used to, but we still qualify so we take it.  It has really been helpful at times.  If you're formula feeding, it's definitely worth it.

[Foster_Mom]

Nov. 13, 2007 at 5:07 PM I can relate to what you are saying.  I am a foster parent and my foster kids qualify for WIC.  I get so angry when I have to go in and get checks because I wait and wait............like my time isn't valuable?  But I can tell you that it is VERY worth it if you plan on using any formula at all.  Formula is horribly expensive, and it will save you a couple hundred bucks a month, easy.  So stick it out.......and know that there are countless other women who are nodding their head and knowing exactly what you are saying.

[mrs.gil]

Nov. 13, 2007 at 5:13 PM

I had wic when i was pregnant and i usually had to give the food away before it went bad.  I had my son on it but i don't think they will renew his wic b/c my hubby makes too much (according to them).  I would recommend taking classes online, that saves time, but no matter what, wic takes forever. 

I was told that wic was no longer going to give vouchers, and instead you would get a food stamps card.  That way instead of buying 2 gallons of milk at once, you can buy a gallon when you need it.  It hasn't happened yet. 

 I feel for you, though. 

[countrymom]

Nov. 16, 2007 at 11:57 AM I know its a pain in the butt, but yes it is worth it. My youngest son had to have a special formula that was 27.99 a can at wal-mart. He went thru 8 can's a month. Theres no way we could have afforded over 200.00 in formula a month and still made all our bills. WIC was a life saver for us.