BISMARCK – Public health programs that serve children and families have increased their qualifying income levels based on changes in federal poverty level guidelines, according to North Dakota Health and Human Services.

Qualifying income levels are increasing for the North Dakota Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, known as WIC, and for diagnostic and treatment services available through the Special Health Services Financial Coverage Program.

Effective May 1, a family of four can earn up to $59,478 annually and meet qualifying income requirements. That is a $1,758 increase. Qualifying income levels vary by the number of people in a household. Both programs have additional requirements.

The federally funded WIC program offers healthy food, nutrition education and community referrals to qualifying pregnant women and families with children younger than 5 years of age. WIC also supports breastfeeding and provides iron-fortified formula for infants who are not breastfeeding and baby food for older infants.

Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants qualify for WIC.

The Special Health Services Financial Coverage Program helps North Dakota families pay for medical services for eligible children ages newborn to 21 years who require specialty care to diagnose and treat their chronic health conditions. Medical services include, but are not limited to dental services, medications, therapy, nutrition services, laboratory tests, medical equipment and care coordination.

About one in five children in North Dakota have a special health care need. While many have health insurance, Special Health Services can help fill coverage gaps for more than 100 eligible medical conditions. To see if a child qualifies, contact 800-755-2714, 711 (TTY) or tfeigitsch@nd.gov.

On April 1, North Dakota Medicaid also adjusted the eligibility limits for its different coverage groups.