WIC Services include:
- Practical nutrition information and everyday healthy living tips for you and your family. Visit the Feeding My Family page.
- Nutrition experts who specialize in nutrition for mothers and their children.
- Support and information about breastfeeding your baby, including access to breastfeeding experts. Visit the Feeding My Baby page
- Help in finding health care and other valuable community services
- Benefits to buy healthy foods - such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, milk, eggs, bread, cereal, juice, peanut butter, soy milk, tofu and more!
- WIC can also refer you to other helpful services, learn how to ask WIC for referrals.
You may qualify if you:
- Are pregnant, breastfeeding, just had a baby (or recent pregnancy loss); or
- Have a child or care for a child under age 5; and
- Have low-to-medium income or receive Medi-Cal, CalWORKs (TANF), or CalFresh (SNAP) benefits; and
- Live in California
- Medi-Cal is a free or low-cost health coverage that is available for California residents who are eligible. For more information about your local County Social Services Office and how to apply can be found here!
- Visit the UC Merced Health Services page to learn more about health coverage and waiving UC SHIP.
Browse through a collection of Off-Campus resources available to all UC Merced students. Click here to view the list of resources available.
Programs supported by Community Action Agency:
- Preschool Programs - more information can be found here
- Utility Assistance: Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) - more information can be found here
- Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) – provides a direct payment to an eligible client’s utility bill to help offset the cost of heating or cooling their home.
- Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP) – provides assistance to low-income households that are in a crisis situation.
- Diaper Bank - MCCAA offers a diaper program for infants under the age of 3 years. More information can be found HERE
- Dial 2-1-1 or visit 211ca.org to connect with a wide range of community, health, and essential services, including housing, food and utility assistance. Available 24/7 and in multiple languages.
- The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers FREE basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals. Learn more here!
- UC Merced Students can ride The Bus for FREE by swiping their UC Merced Student Cat Card on all bus routes. Visit their website for available routes.
- Students can also track the bus anytime!
- The YARTS LCTOP Student Explorer program has been extended through May 2026, giving enrolled college students even more time to ride to Yosemite. Students can apply for free YARTS vouchers by visiting https://www.yarts.com/tickets-and-fares/#Special-Programs and completing the quick online application. Vouchers are available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last!
- Merced Continuum of Care - These local housing projects provide a holistic approach to preventing and addressing homelessness, ensuring individuals and families have access to the support they need.
- You can check them out HERE
Yarts:
- MCCAA offers a diaper program for infants under the age of 3 years.
- Learn more HERE!
Yarts:
- MCCAA offers a diaper program for infants under the age of 3 years.
- Learn more HERE!
- Merced Continuum of Care - These local housing projects provide a holistic approach to preventing and addressing homelessness, ensuring individuals and families have access to the support they need.
- Merced Continuum of Care - These local housing projects provide a holistic approach to preventing and addressing homelessness, ensuring individuals and families have access to the support they need.
- These local housing projects provide a holistic approach to preventing and addressing homelessness, ensuring individuals and families have access to the support they need.” Under Community Action Agency
Last Updated: Apr. 17, 2026
