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So I wasn't even going to apply for WIC but CW said I needed to so I called and scheduled an appointment for 11:45 AM today. We had been waiting for nearly an hour and a half when I finally had to reschedule and leave because I babysit and I needed to pick up one of the kids from school. The nice lady re-scheduled us for Friday at the same time.
Do WIC appointments always take forever? I can't schedule in the morning because I have to take a preschooler to school and they only go for 2 hours. I also have to pick up a kindergartner from the bus stop around 3:10 so I can't schedule in the afternoon. I only have between noon and 2:30.
And while I'm at it, when does the monthly stipend usually arrive? I hate asking about money, so I'd like to avoid asking CW as long as possible.
I'm new at this! Sooooo much to learn!!!
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The stipend typically comes around the 9th or 10th of the month for the previous month.
This is the first I ever heard of a CW telling you you HAD TO go to WIC?? Its an option available to you but certainly not mandatory.
You can apply for any child in your home, provided they meet the eligible age. I think its only for kids under 5?? (not sure about that).
I never waited that long at WIC!! What county are you in? If you go with your photo ID, copy of the placement letter from DYFS and the child's medicaid card, the initial appointment shouldnt take longer than30 minutes. AFter that, when you go monthly to pick up your vouchers, even less time. The child does need to be seen periodically - for weight, aand lead test, etc. But even those appointments were never long for me!! I hope it was just a weird fluke today and it doesnt happen to you again. . .
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Thanks for the responses...Oh my goodness! I wish it was half an hour! We're in Burlington County and yes, it's only for kids under 5. When I made the appointment the lady on the phone was so nice I thought the visit wouldn't be that bad. When I got there I had no idea what to do and the lady behind the desk was not exactly pleasant. I filled out the form and thought I had to bring it back to her and she responded with "Can you just hold on to it?". Well I have another appointment on Friday, so hopefully the wait won't be so long. And I didn't know it was optional; she asked twice and then said her supervisor wanted to know so I told her I'd call. I didn't think it was that big of a deal to not apply, but oh well.
My experience was the first appt took a while-about 45 minutes-but having to wait 1.5hrs is ridiculous! I would try to find another WIC office & see if that works better for you. Once you go the first time (with the kid(s) the next time is a p/u checks-should be in & out quick-you have to bring the kid(s) every 6 months-but your office will tell you that. I wasn't going to apply for WIC either-but it does cover approx 80% of my 9month old FS-formula/baby food-leaving me more of my money to spend on other things he needs & fun stuff like swim lessons . The stipend check usually comes between the 7th-10th of the following month. Your first check may be a little delayed-but if you don't have it by the 2nd week of the month you need to let your CW know for sure. Good luck!
If the next appointment looks like yesterday's I'm going to ask for an appointment first thing in the morning. I just get nervous having to rush back before the school bus arrives! CW is scheduled to come next week so I'll be sure and let her know if the stipend hasn't arrived by then. And, TambuC, when I thought it over it does make sense to apply for WIC so that (like you said) we have more money for other things. Formula does get pretty expensive and Baby Girl seems to grow everyday!Thanks, everyone! It's nice being able to get on here and hear from people who have similar experiences!
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I hated doing WIC. The people in the Glouco office were annoying, I always had to wait and I couldn't stand the rudeness of the supermarket cashiers "I have a WIC check in Aisle 5!!" I did it for about a year and then stopped.Do it if it fits into your schedule. Yes, it sure helps out money wise.If the caseworker asks, say all perky "Yes, I am trying to get an appointment!" Then point her toward your well stocked cupboard.Checks come on the 10th of the onth. I think it tooled one or two onths for the check to kick in for me.
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Yeah, I think after these checks are out I'm done with WIC...it does help with formula but once these checks are up she'll be ready for "normal" food and I really don't want to have to attend the classes and deal with the long waits. Our check did come in the mail today, so we're good with that. And I like your idea of leading the CW to the well stocked cabinets;)...
That's RIDICULOUS that they said you're required to get WIC. WIC is a HUGE hassle - It's a great help for those of us for whom foster care is sometimes a financial burden, but if it's not, why bother? We did it for a while but I missed my renewal appointment so I have stopped. Will probably start again because I have two boys eating me out of house and home ... But the hassle both at the WIC office and at the grocery store (where it's downright humiliating sometimes because it's so archaic how they do things) are not things I'm looking forward to. Contact your CW's supervisor or FAFS and ask them if it's legit that they require you to get WIC. I think they will say no. It's a convenience and a form of assistance available for you but if the foster family doesn't need it financially, why bother? Future placements for this child (if there will be future placements) or birth family if the child is RU'd can always apply if they need it.
BTW: You NEVER NEED TO TELL THEM YOUR HOUSEHOLD INCOME. The household income for a foster child is that child's stipend. They are legally a household of ONE with an income of just the stipend for all programs like this. Just wanted to save others the embarrassment of everyone judging them for being middle class people applyign for WIC
I also did not want to sign up for WIC, but our CW told us we had to because even though we had the kids for several months the birth parents were still getting the checks and getting the babies formula and then trading it for drugs. So rather than charge them for that they demanded we sign up so that checks to the birth family would stop.
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thankfulone
BTW: You NEVER NEED TO TELL THEM YOUR HOUSEHOLD INCOME. The household income for a foster child is that child's stipend. They are legally a household of ONE with an income of just the stipend for all programs like this. Just wanted to save others the embarrassment of everyone judging them for being middle class people applyign for WIC