How to have a better quality WIC application in Massachusetts

Are you struggling with having enough income in your household to feed your children? Is pride getting in your way from getting the help that your family needs to survive during these tough economic times in our state? Do you also struggle with filling out forms because of the language that they use is sometimes confusing? Well, this article will shed some light on tips and tricks that you can use to fill out your WIC forms more completely and better than you have ever done so that hopefully you can get the help that you and your family need to eat during these tough times!

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Keep calm even when you feel too proud to apply.
• Self confidence to ask for help if you need it
• The inner strength to focus on the details that the agency wants.
• The drive to keep trying even if you fail the first time!

1. 
   Need help?

   Do you have a tough time with filling out applications because you have a Disability like: AD/HD, blindness, hearing impaired, or MS? Well, I know most people do not like to tell others about their Disability because of their pride but did you know that many people before you fought HARD for services to help you apply for benefits? The State of Massachusetts have services to provide help for you to be able to fill out their forms to the best of your ability and since you are a resident of this state it is your RIGHT to get the help that you and your family need! So ASK!

2. 
   English?

   Is English not your first language? If it isn't ask for an application in your language so that you can fill it out completely and to the best of your ability. Or if you were born in this country and you can't read or write because of whatever reason you need to tell someone because the Agency has people to help you fill out the forms correctly and completely.

3. 
   Don't have a home?

   If you are homeless, did you know that you can still get benefits? If you are in a temporary housing situation (example: church basement, shelter, church mission etc.) all you need to do is ask the place that you are staying if you can use their address to get mail there. That is all that the WIC agents need is a mailing address to send the benefits to.

4. 
   Net or Gross?

   Make sure on your application you write in all of your NET income (after taxes, bills, child support, or any other expenses) on the application since that determines your income qualifications to the interviewer.

5. 
   Nurse care is an EXPENSE!

   If you have people in your household that are not able to work because of a Disability that you need to take care of them or you have someone that takes care of them, it is VERY important that you make note of that on your application! The reason is, those care expenses that you have need to be deducted from your gross income that you are bringing home from your paycheck. Every bill that you have works for you when you are applying for WIC so don't leave anything out!

Tips & Warnings

• Always bring a pen with you for filling out the WIC applications.
• Bring with you a small dictionary so if you do not understand a word on the application you can look it up so you will be prepared.
• Dress in clean clothes and with a neat appereance.
• Be mannerly to the people behind the counter say, "please and thank-you" you want the agent to remember you so that your application gets noticed.
• Write a thank-you note to the person that interviews you for the benefits because that will make a positive impression on them.
• Don't bring your children with you when you apply because you need to be focused on filling out the forms.
• Never fill out your application in pencil.
• Remember the WIC agents never forget a bad experience with a applicant so if you are rude, nasty or obnoxious they could decline your application for benefits.