WIC Getting rid of Paper Vouchers

Gone are the times for WIC recipients having to dig through a pile of vouchers at the grocery store.

The Zanesville-Muskingum County Health Department is rolling out it’s new WIC debit cards this week. The cards take the many coupons and compiles them into a single, reloadable card. It isn’t happening instantly, but WIC project coordinator, Jody Shriver, said people will transition to the card over the next few months.

“It’s been what we call a soft roll out, so there will be coupons still in circulation probably throughout the month of June in Muskingum County and then everyone should be transitioned to a card system,” Shriver said.

The card system drops the cost per participant by nearly 30 cents a visit. That may not seem like a lot, but Shriver said the cost benefit and time benefits are huge.

“Why not [switch to cards.]? It’s time, it’s easier, it’s cost effective for us as tax payers as well as time in the office too, so the saving is monumental I guess,” Shriver said.

WIC provides assistance to pregnant women, early postpartum and children from birth until five years old.