WIC, or Women, Infants and Children, is a federal supplemental nutrition program for pregnant or breastfeeding women and young children. Since the WIC program was created, government studies have shown that it reduces infant death and premature births and results in safer pregnancies. Children enrolled in the WIC program see improved mental health and school performance.

The WIC program operates like other supplemental assistance programs by offering low-income families federal grants for healthy, program-approved foods. The products that WIC authorizes include wheat bread, cheese, yogurt and iron-fortified infant formula. In addition to healthy food, WIC provides breastfeeding support, nutrition education and referrals to health care and community services.

Though the program is called Women, Infants and Children, fathers can claim WIC benefits too. Parents, step-parents, foster parents and legal caretakers with children under 5 years of age are encouraged to attend nutrition classes and collect WIC benefits to keep their children healthy.

Assistance is provided in the form of cash grants that can be used at participating retailers or famers markets. WIC is available in all 50 states and is administered by numerous state agencies. Additionally, local clinics, hospitals and schools may offer WIC health services. To make the most of your WIC eligibility, read more about how to qualify and apply for the program.

Table of Contents

WIC 101

Who qualifies for WIC?

WIC Benefits

How to Apply for WIC

How WIC Defines Nutritional Risk  

WIC Appointments

After Applying for WIC

WIC Service Locations

EBT Cards

WIC Denials & Appeals

How to Transfer WIC Benefits to Another State

Lost WIC Card

Additional Resources

WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program

WIC Infant Formula Rebate System

WIC vs. Food Stamps

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WIC 101

The WIC program was created with a specific goal in mind – to bolster the health of low-income women, infants and children.

Since the program was created in 1974, studies show that it has been made progress in its goal. Pregnant women enrolled in the program have longer pregnancies and are less likely to have premature births. For infants, the WIC program reduced infant death rate among its participants and yielded higher birth weights. For children, the WIC program shows reduced iron deficiency, healthier growth and improved school performance.

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As a supplemental nutrition program, WIC helps families by providing food benefits. These benefits may come on an EBT card, like SNAP, or they may be provided in food packages delivered straight to the family’s door. However, WIC offers more than food. Families befitting from WIC also receive health assistance, educational resources and referrals to other government services.

Families who are already enrolled in services like food stamps, Medicaid and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families have automatic income eligibility for WIC. Families that are not currently benefitting from other government services can still apply, and they will be asked to prove their income and qualifications. As long as one member of a family is eligible for WIC, entire families can benefit. Additionally, eligible pregnant women count as their own two-person family.

Who qualifies for WIC?

To qualify for the WIC program, applicants must meet four kind of eligibility requirements: category, income, residential and nutritional risk. The program is intended for low-income women, infants and children, so program participants must be able to prove that they qualify as

low-income and as one of the approved categories. Additionally, candidates must prove there is a nutritional risk in their family and supply the address of their permanent residence.

In the event that the family’s local office does not have the budget to supply food grants to all qualified applicants, the family will be placed on a waiting list. Where in the waiting list that family’s application is placed depends on whether they meet the requirements for one of the seven priority levels. Candidates must be eligible in all four categories in order to collect benefits.

WIC Program Categorical Requirements

WIC exists to serve women, infants and children who suffer from nutrition deficiency. Families can apply for WIC benefits as long as they have at least one member who is categorically eligible for the program. In fact, foster parents, fathers and step-parents are encouraged to apply if they believe their children are eligible. The individuals who are categorically qualified for WIC benefits are:

• Pregnant women.

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• Women who breastfeed their children up through the child’s first birthday.

• Postpartum women, up to six months after the end of the pregnancy.

• Infants, up to 1 year of age.

• Children, up to 5 years of age.

For WIC purposes, a family is defined as everyone who lives in a household and shares income and expenses. Members of the family do not have to be legally or genetically related.

WIC Federal Income Limits

The federal income guidelines for WIC are based at 185 percent of the national poverty level, and they are revised every fiscal year. The latest set of guidelines function from July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019. When determining family size, pregnant women count as two people.

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Applicants calculate their eligibility by gross income and family size. To meet annual income limits in the 48 continental states and Washington D.C.:

• Families of one must have an annual earning less than $22,459.

• Families of two must earn less than $30,451.

• Families of three must earn less than $38,443.

• Families of four must earn less than $46,435.

• Families of five must earn less than $54,427.

• Families of six must earn less than $62,419.

For each additional family member, add $7,992 to the annual income limit. These guidelines are also applicable to Guam and U.S. territories.

Income limits are different in both Hawaii and Alaska. To meet income requirement in Alaska:

• Families of one must earn less than $28,083.

• Families of two must earn less than $38,073.

• Families of three must earn less than $48,063.

• Families of four must earn less than $58,053.

• Families of five must earn less than $68,043.

• Families of six must earn less than $78,033.

For each additional family member, add $9,990 to the annual limit.

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In Hawaii, add $9,195 for each additional family member. To meet income limits in Hawaii:

• Families of one must earn less than $25,826.

• Families of two must earn less than $35,021.

• Families of three must earn less than $44,215.

• Families of four must earn less than $53,410.

• Families of five must earn less than $62,604.

• Families of six must earn less than $71,799.

Additionally, a family may be qualified for automatic income eligibility if it is enrolled in a similar government program. Families collecting from SNAP, Medicaid or TANF can claim automatic income qualification. Applicants can click here for the 2018-2019 WIC income guidelines.

Residential Requirements

Applicants are only eligible to collect benefits in the state where they live. In cases that the state has more than one

WIC office, applicants are only eligible to claim benefits from the nearest office. However, there is no time requirement for how long candidates must have lived in a service district in order to qualify.

During the application process, applicants will be required to schedule an appointment at the office that serves their district. This meeting is used to determine eligibility, and candidates must prove their residency. Applicants can use the WIC prescreening tool to check eligibility before application.

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Nutritional Risk

In addition to the income, categorical and residential requirements, families must prove that they are a nutritional risk. For the purposes of the WIC program, nutritional risk is classified as a medical or dietary health condition. Examples of medical conditions include anemia, a diagnosis of being over or underweight and a history of difficult pregnancy. Dietary conditions include a nutritionist’s judgment of a poor diet.

A candidate’s nutritional risk must be diagnosed by a professional doctor, nurse or nutritionist. Local WIC clinics usually offer this service at no charge, but families do have the option of seeing their own preferred physicians. To qualify for WIC, applicants must have at least one of the medical or dietary condition on the state’s medical guidelines.

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Who gets WIC priority?

When a local office does not have enough funding to serve all qualified applicants, candidates are placed on a waiting list. To guarantee that the families with the greatest need receive service, priority levels are used to determine where applicants are placed in the waiting list. There are seven priority levels. Priority Level I is considered the most urgent, and Priority Level VII is the least urgent. Age, health and income are subsections of each priority level and are weighed on an individual basis by caseworkers. The priority levels are:

Priority Level I includes pregnant women, infants and breastfeeding women who have nutrition-related medical conditions, such as anemia, underweight, overweight or a pre-term birth.

Priority Level II includes infants up to 6 months in age whose mothers had nutrition-related conditions. These mothers must have received or been eligible for WIC benefits.

Priority Level III includes children and postpartum women with nutrition-related illnesses.

- States that include postpartum women in Priority Level III are Illinois and Maryland. Georgia offers Level III to postpartum teens.

Priority Level IV includes pregnant women, infants or breastfeeding women with dietary problems and homeless women.

- States that include homeless women in Priority Level IV are Colorado, Oregon and Texas. West Virginia classifies homeless pregnant women as Level IV. Maryland includes homeless or migrant farm worker in this level.

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Priority Level V includes children with dietary problems.

- Maryland includes homeless or migrant farm worker in this level.

Priority Level VI Postpartum, non-breastfeeding women with medical conditions or dietary problems and the homeless women.

- States that include homeless women in Priority Level VI are Alaska, Connecticut and Minnesota. West Virginia classifies homeless postpartum women as Level VI. Maryland includes homeless or migrant farm workers in this level.

Priority Level VII includes current WIC recipients and homeless women who could have medical or dietary problem without WIC assistance.

- States that include homeless women in Priority Level VII are Missouri and Nebraska.

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WIC Benefits

Government studies have shown that WIC is an effective program for families in need. Pregnant women enrolled in the program gain weight and are less likely to have a premature birth. For infants, WIC shows a lower infant mortality rate and newborns whose mothers enrolled are born with higher weights. For children, the WIC program shows improved mental health and better school performance than similar children who did not receive WIC.

The WIC program is able to accomplish these goals by providing supplemental nutrition and health resources to low-income families. Benefits of the WIC program include health screenings, referrals to other government sources, free breastfeeding resources, free nutrition education and cash grants for healthy foods. Furthermore, participation in WIC does not interfere with a family’s benefits from food stamps or Medicaid. In fact, families who are already enrolled in TANF, Medicaid or SNAP are considered automatically income eligible for WIC and may continue to claim their benefits from other services.

What are WIC benefits?

Currently, food benefits are available by cash, voucher or EBT card. However, every state is required to distribute food benefits by an EBT card by 2020. Like SNAP, WIC is a supplemental nutrition program, and it provides access to healthy foods. Food packages are the prime way that WIC provides nutrition to program members.

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Different food packages are offered to different categories of participants. Non-breastfeeding mothers will receive less in their food package than breastfeeding mothers. Participants can expect the following benefits:

Foods ChildrenBreastfeeding

MothersPostpartum

Mothers

Pregnant/ Partially

Breastfeeding Mothers

Juice128 fl. oz. 144 fl. oz. 96 fl. oz. 144 fl. oz.

Milk16 qt. 24 qt. 16 qt. 22 qt.

CheeseN/A 1 Ib. N/A N/A

Cereal36 oz. 36 oz. 36 oz. 36 oz.

Eggs1 dozen 2 dozen 1 dozen 1 dozen

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Bread2 Ib. 1 Ib. N/A 1 Ib.

Cash Voucher $8.00 $11.00 $11.00 $11.00

Canned Fish N/A 30 oz. N/A N/A

Legumes and/or Peanut Butter

1 Ib. or 18 oz.

1 Ib. and 18 oz.

1 Ib. or 18 oz.

1 Ib. and 18 oz.

These figures are as of October 2015 and are subject to change.

All foods included in food packages must comply with the federal guidelines for healthy food. For example, all breads and grains included in a food package must be whole wheat or whole grain, such as whole wheat tortillas, brown rice or whole wheat macaroni. Further, milks can be substituted for yogurt or lactose-free alternatives. WIC online resources exist to make shopping with WIC benefits easier.

An infant’s food package correspond to his or her mother’s. Thus, a partially breastfeed infant will receive less formula than a non-breastfed infant, and an infant at 6-11 months

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of age will receive more benefits than an infant 0-6 months of age. Infants will receive:

• Fully Formula Fed Infants:

- 0-3 months: 806 fl. oz. formula.

- 4-5 months: 896 fl. oz. formula.

- 6-11 months: 624 fl. oz., 24 oz. infant cereal and 128 oz. infant fruits and vegetables.

• Partially Formula Fed Infants:

- 0-1 month: One can of powdered formula.

- 1-3 month: 364 fl. oz. formula.

- 4-5 months: 442 fl. oz. formula.

- 6-11 months: 312 oz. formula, 24 oz. baby cereal and 128 oz. infant fruits and vegetables.

• Fully Breastfed Infant:

- No formula.

- 6-11 months: 24 oz. infant cereal, 256 oz. infant fruit and vegetables and 77.5 oz. infant meats.

These figures are as on November 2016

and are subject to change. Applicants should note that the fluid ounces are reconstituted liquid concentrate formulas.

Health Referrals and Breastfeeding Support

Breastfeeding mothers are able to receive more food and are eligible for longer participating periods, because the WIC program believes that breast milk is the best available nutrition for infants and that it will save parents more money in the long run. To make breastfeeding easier for mothers, WIC offers a variety of support networks and even equipment aids, such as breast pumps. WIC offers new breastfeeding mothers:

• Trained staff to educate new mothers on breastfeeding.

• Peer counselors. Peer counselors are former breastfeeding moms who connect with new mothers to answer their questions on things such as breastfeeding in public or how to stay close to a baby after a return to work.

• Online resources at WICbreastfeeding.fns.usda.gov

• Aids, such as breast pumps and breast shells.

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Additionally, WIC has a reciprocal relationship with health care providers. Doctors, nutritionists and nurses who treat clients with qualifying health risks refer them to the WIC program, and WIC refers families that do not have a care provider to local health professionals. These referrals connect families to immunization services, mental health care and substance abuse counseling.

How long can you receive WIC?

WIC is a short-term program that requires each participant to reapply after their allotted certification period. WIC beneficiaries are eligible to reapply as long as a member of the family continues to meet all four of the necessary eligibility requirements.

The participation period will be set by a state agency during the beneficiary’s application process, but the shortest period is six months and the longest period is one year. Breastfeeding mothers can expect to claim benefits for a full year, and non-breastfeeding mothers can expect six months of benefits. Pregnant women are eligible for the duration of their pregnancy.

Infants can to claim benefits up until their first birthday, at which point they

transition to the children category and parents must reapply. However, benefits will not necessarily be provided for the mother because her child is still receiving nutrition. This will also be true of nutrition benefits for children.

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WIC Online Benefits

WIC is intended to better the health of pregnant and postpartum women, infants and children. As such, nutrition and health education is provided free of charge. WIC is the only program that is required to provide nutrition education to participants, and examples of the courses offered include “Welcome to WIC” in California and “Give Your Child a Healthy Smile” in Texas. Each state provides different courses to best benefit the needs of their participants. Many states use WICHealth.org to provide their online classes, while others use state programs.

The United States Department of Agriculture runs an additional online resource called Choose My Plate. Choose My Plate is designed to help the general public manage their nutrition information and plan meals. This free resources includes BMI calculators, charts to track child growth and “plate plans” for an individual’s nutrition needs.

In addition to online classes, a WIC app in available in most states to make shopping easier for program participants. WIC mobile apps are developed by each state, but there the WICShopper app are used by

a partnership of over 20 states and allows app users to check their WIC balance. The app also has a feature that scans the barcodes on grocery items to check if those items are WIC eligible foods. The states that use WICShopper are:

• Arkansas.

• Colorado.

• Connecticut.

• D.C.

• Florida.

• Idaho.

• Iowa.

• Kansas.

• Kentucky.

• Maine.

• Massachusetts.

• Montana.

• Nebraska.

• Nevada.

• New Hampshire.

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• New Jersey.

• New Mexico.

• Oregon.

• Rhode Island.

• Vermont.

• Washington.

• West Virginia.

• Wyoming.

Other partners include some Native American nations and health providers.

There are states that do not partner with the WICShopper app but still have an app that their clients can use. States that developed their own apps include:

• Alabama: Alabama WIC app.

• Arizona: EZWIC app.

• Indiana: Indiana WIC app.

• Michigan: WIC Connect app.

• Minnesota: My Minnesota WIC app.

• New York: WIC2Go app.

• North Carolina: Bnft app.

• South Dakota: South Dakota WIC app.

• Wisconsin: MyWIC app.

How to Apply for WIC

Applying to WIC is a simple process, but it must be completed in person in almost every state. Though the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) is a federal program, it is administered by state agencies. Within each state, hundreds of service locations are available to provide applicants easy access to a WIC clinic.

WIC applications can be completed and assessed in a single day, and candidates who receive their certification can collect their WIC vouchers on the day of their first appointment. At the first appointment, WIC staff will conduct a health screening of all eligible applicants to determine their nutritional risk. Staff will also review the income and residential requirements of applicants. If the staff determines that the family is qualified for WIC benefits, it will introduce the family to the resources WIC offers and create a nutritional plan for the beneficiaries.

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The Documents You Need to Apply to WIC

To prove your WIC eligibility, documented evidence of your qualifications is required. You can speed up your WIC application appointment and increase your chances of receiving a certification if you prepare the required paperwork in advance.

To prove their eligibility, candidates need:

• One proof of identity. WIC will accept photo IDs, birth certificates, court documents, a current WIC ID card, Social Security cards, voter registration cards or medical records.

• Proof of income. If paid weekly, bring four pay stubs. If paid monthly, bring one pay stub. Income includes wages, child support, Social Security benefits, student financial assistance, foster care benefits, unemployment compensation, military payments, pensions or interest on savings or bonds. WIC will accepts bank statements, scholarship letters, unemployment notices or tax returns, in addition to other official documents that reflect your full income.

• Proof of address. Documents must be

current and show name and address. P.O. boxes are not accepted. WIC will accept utility bills, bank statements or a driver license.

• WIC Medical Referral form, if completed. If your health care provider has completed a WIC medical referral form, bring it to your appointment. However, this form is not required. The WIC office will do its own health screening.

• Immunization records of children, if applicable.

• The Social Security Numbers (SSNs) of all applicants, if applicable. Candidates are not required to be United States citizens or to prove their immigration status to apply for WIC.

• Confirmation of pregnancy, if applicable. WIC will accept a statement from a health care provider that shows the baby’s due date. Montana WIC does not require proof of pregnancy.

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Complete the WIC Application

A few states offer a preliminary WIC application online, but an in-person assessment is required in every state. If your state allows mailed applications, you will still have to schedule an appointment at a WIC location near you to complete the onboarding process. When you have gathered the necessary documents to prove your eligibility, find the phone number to schedule an appointment in your state:

Alabama

Call 1-888-942-4673 to schedule your WIC appointment.

Alaska

Download the Family Information form and the appropriate application for every qualified member of the family. For example, a pregnant woman should download the Pregnant Women Application form. If there is no WIC clinic in your town or within driving distance, forms may be submitted to the Department of Health Services by mail.

Arizona

Call 1-800-252-5942 to schedule an

appointment at your local WIC clinic.

Arkansas

Call 1-800-462-0599 to schedule your appointment.

California

Schedule your appointment online at m.wic.ca.gov.

Colorado

Test your eligibility using the Colorado PEAK tool. Call 1-800-688-7777 to schedule your appointment.

Connecticut

Call 1-800-741-2142 to locate a WIC office near you and schedule an appointment.

Delaware

Apply for WIC online at Delaware WIC Program myWIC.

District of Columbia

Call 1-800-345-1942 to schedule your appointment. Staff will ask a few pre-screening questions by phone and provide further instructions if they determine you are eligible.

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Florida

Take the WIC Pre-screening test to determine your eligibility. Then, call 1-800-342-3556 to schedule your appointment.

Georgia

Complete the online Georgia WIC application, and then call 1-800-228-9173 to schedule an appointment.

Hawaii

For Oahu WIC services, call 1-808-586-8175 to schedule an appointment. For neighboring islands, call 1-888-820-6425.

Idaho

Call 1-877-456-1233 to schedule an appointment.

Illinois

Use the Illinois Department of Human Services website to locate your county WIC office and call to schedule your appointment.

Indiana

Call 1-800-522-0874 to schedule your appointment and answer a few questions about your eligibility.

Iowa

Call the state office at 1-800-532-1579 to schedule your appointment.

Kansas

Visit the Kansas Department of Health and Environment website to locate the WIC office near you and call to schedule your appointment.

Kentucky

Call 1-800-462-6122 to locate the office nearest to you and schedule an appointment.

Louisiana

Call 1-800-251-2229 to schedule an appointment for yourself and your children.

Maine

Complete the Main online WIC enrollment form or call 1-800-437-9300 to schedule an appointment at the nearest clinic.

Maryland

Visit the Maryland Department of Health website to locate your county WIC office and call to schedule an appointment.

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Massachusetts

Complete the Massachusetts online WIC enrollment form and wait to be contacted by a WIC agency.

Michigan

Call 211 for information on your local WIC agency and to schedule your appointment.

Minnesota

Call 1-800-942-4030 to locate a WIC clinic near you and schedule an appointment.

Mississippi

Call 1-800-338-6747 to schedule an in-person appointment.

Missouri

Call 1-800-835-5465 to schedule an appointment.

Montana

Use the Montana.gov website to locate the WIC clinic closest to you and schedule an appointment.

Nebraska

Use the Nebraska WIC website to locate a WIC clinic near you, and call to make an appointment.

Nevada

Call 1-800-863-8942 to locate your nearest WIC office and make an appointment.

New Hampshire

Schedule your appointment by calling 1-800-942-4321 or by the online portal signupwic.com.

New Jersey

Call the state agency at 1-800-328-3838 to locate the WIC office near you and schedule an appointment.

New Mexico

Call 1-800-328-3838 to locate your county office and schedule an appointment.

New York

Call  1-800-522-5006 to schedule your appointment.

North Carolina

Call 1-800-367-2229 to locate your nearest WIC office and schedule an appointment.

North Dakota

Call 1-800-472-2286 to schedule an appointment.

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Ohio

Download the Ohio WIC application form on the Ohio Department of Health website, and mail it to your local WIC clinic. You must also schedule an appointment at that clinic to finalize your application. Call 1-800-755-4769 for information on a clinic near you.

Oklahoma

Call 1-888-655-2942 to locate a WIC clinic near you and schedule an appointment.

Oregon

Call 211 to schedule an appointment at a WIC clinic near you.

Pennsylvania

Complete the Pennsylvania WIC Pre-Application online or call 1-800-942-9467 to schedule an appointment.

Rhode Island

Use the Rhode Island Department of Health website to find the WIC clinic nearest to you and call to schedule an appointment.

South Carolina

Call 1-855-472-3432 to schedule an appointment.

South Dakota

Schedule an appointment by calling 605-773-3361 or 1-800-738-2301.

Tennessee

Call 1-800-342-5942 to schedule an appointment at a clinic near you.

Texas

Call 1-800-942-3678 to schedule your first appointment.

Utah

Call 1-877-942-5437 to schedule your appointment.

Vermont

Call 1-800-464-4343 to find a WIC clinic near you and schedule an appointment.

Virginia

Use the MyVaWic.com portal to apply online or call 1-888-942-3663 to schedule an appointment.

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Washington

Call 1-800-322-2588 to find a WIC clinic and schedule an appointment. Alternatively, use the ParentHelp123 online resource to locate an office near you.

West Virginia

Complete a West Virginia online application.

Wisconsin

Use the Wisconsin Department of Public Health website to locate a WIC office near you or call 1-800-722-2295.

Wyoming

Call 1-800-994-4769 to find a WIC clinic near you and schedule an appointment.

Your First WIC Appointment

Every eligible member of the family will have to complete a health screening at the WIC appointment in order to receive benefits certification, which is why all members are required to attend. In addition, all adults in the family should be present to sign for certification to use WIC benefits or only one adult in the family will be able to shop.

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The first WIC appointment consists of:

A health screening. WIC staff will test the height, weight and blood iron level of every child, infant and pregnant or postpartum woman who applies for benefits. This is necessary even if the family has a medical referral because the WIC clinic must verify the candidates’ nutritional risk.

An interview process. WIC staff will review your documentation and income to verify your qualifications for the program.

A discuss of your family’s nutrition habits. WIC staff will review the family’s application to discuss the specific nutrition needs of the applicants. WIC staff will then determine the food package and benefits of the certified family.

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How WIC Defines Nutritional Risk

WIC is the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children. It provides health resources for pregnant women, breastfeeding women and children younger than five years of age. There are several requirements that a family must meet in order to be eligible for the program. They include income, age, pregnancy status, nutritional risk and more. Nutritional risk is a multifaceted category that examines several aspects of a woman’s and her child’s health.

Under the program, eligible participants who qualify as nutritionally at risk are provided with food vouchers to help them address their nutritional needs. Recipients of WIC are permitted to buy foods that are fortified with nutrients to help alleviate the threat to their health. Defining nutritional risk helps service providers better address the needs of women and children who benefit from WIC services.

What is nutritional risk?

Being at a nutritional risk means lacking sufficient nutrients to maintain basic health. The results of this risk are health complications in the present or the future for a child. For example, children with poor

nutrition tend to have weaker immune systems. In addition, poor eating habits in childhood tend to persist into adulthood and result in chronic diseases like hypertension. The two types of nutritional risk recognized in women and children are dietary- and medical-based conditions. These include:

• Anemia.

• Poor pregnancy outcome history.

• Weight too little or too much.

• Nutritional deficiencies.

Nutritional risk is typically identified by health care professionals like nurses and physicians, but WIC applicants may sometimes identify health issues themselves. For instance, some grocery stores offer free health checks that let participants know if they have any health risks, such as a high weight, high blood pressure and more.

Importance of Nutrition

Adequate nutrition is important for everyone, but especially during periods of critical growth and development that occur in pregnancy, infancy and childhood. Inadequate nutrition can cause thinness

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and poor growth in infants and children, and poor pregnancy outcomes in women. Many factors affect an individual’s growth and development, including hormones, behaviors, genetics and the environment. Learning healthy diet and behavioral habits helps mothers and their babies improve their health.

How Nutritional Risk Is Tested

The first signs of nutritional risk can be identified by many means, such as through an annual checkup or regular pregnancy checkups. While a doctor might find growth and development abnormalities, those seeking WIC assistance must go through a health screening to be determined as nutritionally at risk.

Health Screenings

According to the WIC program, health evaluations are conducted by Competent Professional Authorities (CPAs). A CPA can be a WIC participant’s physician or a health professional at a WIC clinic. When CPAs examine WIC applicants, they consider several points of nutritional risk: body measurements, blood levels, medical conditions and dietary practices. Health screenings help to identify high-risk mothers and children, as well as assess

nutritional needs. CPAs must measure all risk factors involved in nutritionally at-risk women and children even if they do not exhibit certain signs, such as extreme fatigue in anemic participants. Health screenings are also not a diagnosis for any condition. They merely test applicants for eligibility according to specific health guidelines.

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Nutrition Risk Indicators

As mentioned above, there are several areas that CPAs examine for nutritional risk. WIC applicants must qualify under at least one of the following risk indicators to be considered eligible for the program. However, applicants are subject to examination for each nutritional risk in order for WIC to best serve their nutritional needs.

Anthropometric Risk

Anthropometric measurements have to do with the measurements of size and proportions of the human body. These measurements include height and weight. Anthropometric measurements are often the most visible signs of malnourishment and nutritional risk.

Weight measurements help to indicate body mass index (BMI), which is a standard by which individuals in each age group are measured. While adults are classified with a particular BMI value, children are classified through percentiles. Those with a normal weight for their age are in the 11th to 84th percentile, while adults with BMIs between 18.5 and 24.9 are of normal weight. Any number below those values indicate an underweight status. Low BMI

measurements help heath care providers assess whether a patient is at risk of being nutritionally at risk. Higher BMIs also alert health professionals of health risks.

Anthropometric measurements are also used to track an infant or child’s growth. Lack of growth or weight gain, or too much weight gain is also considered a risk. Pregnant women who fail to gain enough weight during certain stages of their pregnancy could be in danger of losing their child or giving birth to a premature infant.

Hematological Risk

Hematological risk includes blood disorders and any issues or abnormalities in blood. There are many parameters that can be determined by analyzing blood, such as:

• Hemoglobin (transports oxygen)

• Glucose (indicates presence of diabetes)

• Blood lead levels

WIC is primarily concerned with anemia (measured by hemoglobin levels) and blood lead levels. Anemia can be considered a nutritional risk when it is

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associated with low levels of iron, and thus can be managed through diet. Blood tests can also identify nutritional deficiencies, the presence of alcohol or drugs and lead poisoning, which indicate poor diet or unhealthy lifestyle choices.

Dietary Risk

Dietary risk involves not eating well or not practicing proper nutrition. Improper nutrition practices involve diluting infant formula, introducing solid food to an infant too early, excessive intake of fat, sugar or sodium, or a limited ability to prepare food. These practices prevent mothers and children from eating enough or getting the right nutrients. Poor dietary habits can cause too much weight gain or not enough in both women and children. They can also lead to nutritional deficiencies and ultimately impaired brain, immune system and overall functioning.

Medical Risk

Medical risks include any underlying health issues, such genetic conditions or chronic illnesses. Medical risks include lactose intolerance, tooth decay, gastroesophageal reflux, food allergies, eating disorders and diabetes. These types of conditions require dietary changes

to maintain health and satisfy nutrition needs. This is because many medical conditions result from lack of certain nutrients. For example, scurvy is a result of vitamin C deficiency. Food allergies sometimes prevent proper nutrition as well if they cause intestinal discomfort or prevent nutrients from being properly absorbed into the body.

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WIC Appointments

Part of being accepted into the WIC nutrition program involves undergoing an interview, and this interview is essential in determining your eligibility. The WIC program does not offer online application papers or forms. In fact, the application process is conducted by means of the interview. The WIC interviewer assesses whether the applicant qualifies for the program based on several eligibility criteria determined by United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Nutrition Services (FNS).

First, applicants must be pregnant or nursing women or children younger than 5 years of age. Applicants’ incomes must also qualify depending on their state’s WIC income limits. Income limits are based off of poverty levels and the amount of people in the household. Finally, applicants must be nutritionally at risk. This means that according to health screenings, test and measurements, the applicants do not satisfy healthy requirements due to lack of proper nutrition.

Scheduling an Appointment

There are several ways that applicants can schedule an appointment. Regardless of

how appointments are made, interviews can only be conducted in person with a WIC representative. In most states, WIC appointments can be arranged over the phone. A representative will help set a time and date for the appointment. Appointments can often also be set up in person at a local WIC clinic. Some clinics offer walk-in hours, next-day or same day appointments. If applicants need special accommodations for the appointment, they can notify the WIC agency know ahead of time or call the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

How Often You Must Make One

Once an applicant is accepted, he or she must be recertified after a certain period of time. Different applicants may need to be recertified after different times. For example, recipients of WIC in Minnesota follow the information below:

• Pregnant women only need to be certified once while pregnant.

• Women who are breastfeeding must be certified after their baby is born and certified again at six or nine months after the delivery date.

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• Women who are not breastfeeding must have one certification appointment after birth of the child.

• Infants can be certified as soon as they are born, then must follow up at 6 or 9 months and at 1 year of age.

• Children younger than 5 years old must be recertified once per year with follow up appointments every six months.

Not all visits involve a full certification process. Some offices may have different requirements for visits, so recipients should make sure to verify their appointments with their local offices. Visits are typically meant to provide the mother or guardian nutrition education and food benefits for themselves or the child.

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What to Bring to a WIC Appointment

Applicants are expected to bring numerous supporting documents to their interview to prove their eligibility. This is similar to providing documents along with paper or online applications. Since the interview is the application itself, applicants must bring their documents with them. The following are the types of documents that WIC applicants are required to bring:

Proof of income:

• Paystubs

- One or monthly checks, two for bimonthly checks and four for weekly checks.

• Tax forms

• W-2 Form(s)

• Statement from employer

• Child support payments or letter

• Proof of unemployment benefits

These documents are necessary for anyone in the home that provides some source of income.

Proof of participation in other state or federal programs (if applicable):

• Food Stamps

• Head Start

• Fuel Assistance Program

• Medical Assistance

• Reduced or Free School Meal

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Applicants can bring eligibility letters for any assistance programs.

Proof of address:

• Utility bills

• Driver’s license containing a current home address

• Voter’s registration card containing a current home address

• Rent or mortgage payment receipt

• Statement from employer or landlord

• Mail addressed to you

Proof of identity:

• School ID

• Work ID

• Driver’s license

• Passport

• Birth Certificate

• Social Security Card

• Insurance Card

• Medicaid Card

• Medical Records

• Tribal ID

• Voter Registration Card

• Certificate of Baptism

• Crib card

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Identification information must be provided for every WIC applicant in the household. Before bringing identification, applicants should check with their state or local office about accepted forms of identification.

Immunization records (for children):

• Hepatitis B

• Polio (IPV)

• Pneumococcal (PCV)

• Rotavirus (RV)

• Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib)

• Diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough (DTaP)

• Influenza (flu)

• Chickenpox (Varicella)

• Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)

• Hepatitis A

State WIC programs may permit baby books or health passports as forms of immunization records.

Medical records (if applicable):

Medical records from within 60 days of the

interview are applicable. Information that must be included in the medical records is:

• Mother or child’s name

• Height and weight measurements

• Hemoglobin or hematocrit measurements

• Date measurements were taken

• Signature of doctor or health professional

If the applicant does not have this information or medical records, the interviewer will take the necessary measurements as part of the health screening.

Proof of pregnancy (if applicable):

• Sonogram

• Doctor’s note

• Clinical pregnancy test results

In addition, all members that are applying for WIC benefits must be present at the appointment. For example, if a newborn will be benefiting from the program, the mother or guardian must bring him or her to the appointment.

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What to Expect

Interviews can last 30 minutes to two hours, so it is essential to come prepared with diapers, snacks and toys for infants and children. Applicants will have to provide additional information on top of the required documents. Interviewers will ask questions about applicants’ general health and nutrition. Applicants will meet with several different WIC representatives and healthcare professionals, much like a doctor’s office in which a patient will come into contact with several nurses and a doctor. WIC workers will verify an applicant’s documents and information, conduct any necessary measurements or blood testing, conduct a health screening and provide counseling.

Applicants will find out if they qualify the same day as the appointment, provided that they bring all of their necessary documentation. Approved applicants will be provided vouchers or EBT cards, depending on the state, to purchase food. They will also need to schedule a follow up appointment. Eligible applicants will also benefit for nutrition education and resources at this time. Participants who need extra support, such as breastfeeding women, can also receive this benefit at

this time or be referred to WIC resources and educational materials that can help.

Follow up appointments are meant to be much shorter than certification appointments. Applicants should plan for 30 minutes to complete a follow up appointment. The purpose off follow-ups is to check on the health progress of recipients. At these appointments, infants and children are often measured again. Mothers or other guardians can inquire about more assistance or resources at that time as well.

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After Applying for WIC

After applying for WIC, applicants will be able to find out if they are approved or denied for services at the end of their interview.

Accepted applicants will be awarded an allowance to afford nutritious foods as well as gain access to numerous other benefits provided by WIC. Those who were not accepted can follow the denials appeal process to try and gain acceptance into the program by demonstrating proof of need. Those whose benefits were revoked for any reason can also follow a similar appeal process.

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Accepted applicants will receive either a voucher or Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card depending on what their state’s program provides. They will also have access to numerous WIC locations that offer extra services, such as breastfeeding support and classes, nutrition education and referrals to health care providers and other community services.

A common issue among WIC participants is lost WIC cards. This card is otherwise known as the EBT or eWIC card. WIC participants should notify their local agencies as soon as possible to diminish or eliminate the chance of fraudulent or unauthorized purchases. Then, they can visit their local WIC offices to obtain a replacement. Participants also often wonder about transferring benefits if they move to another state. Although WIC is a federal program, it is available in all states. Therefore, recipients can easily transfer their benefits as long as they inform their current and future WIC offices of their move.

WIC Service Locations

WIC services are available in all 50 states in addition to Washington D.C., American Samoa, Puerto Rico, the Virgin

Islands, Guam, the Commonwealth of the North Mariana Islands and 34 Indian Tribal Organizations. While WIC offices and health departments offer the most comprehensive WIC services, other locations found locally in cities and towns offer certain services as well. These other locations include churches, community centers, hospitals and several non-profit organizations.

WIC centers serve to provide mothers and children with nutrition services and assistance. WIC accomplishes this through several means. Many WIC locations are able to provide full range of services such as health screenings, nutrition classes and support groups. However, some provide varying degrees of service depending on the city, individual location, available resources and community needs. Thus, it is essential to inquire about the hours of operation and services offered at your local WIC centers. You can click here to see related WIC contact information, such as information about farmers markets.

Services Offered at WIC Locations

Applicants and recipients will find that there are many services available to them at WIC locations outside of food voucher

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services. But because WIC’s primary goal is to improve the health of children and women, all locations offer voucher or recertification services so that recipients can at least afford food. At a minimum, WIC locations across the country will refill participants’ food allowance benefits even if they cannot perform health screenings, lengthy interviews or offer nutrition classes.

WIC Offices

Individual WIC offices and clinics often provide a full range of services to recipients. They encompass certification appointments, recertification, health screenings, nutrition counseling, breastfeeding support, classes and activities. WIC office and clinics in heavily populated cities like Atlanta, New York City and Boston offer services during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.). Many offices offer walk in and extended hours, so individual WIC centers are ideal for most applicant as they offer the widest range availability times and services.

Health Departments

Most states have a toll-free number to contact their health department.

At those numbers, callers will get in contact representatives who can direct them to the nearest WIC center or provide instructions on how to set up an appointment at the health department. In some states like Alaska, California and Nevada, the Department of Health goes by other names: Department of Public Health, Department of Health and Human Services or Department of Health and Social Services.

Hospitals

Many WIC offices are located at hospitals. This is because WIC’s goal is to promote health and hospitals possess the resources to assist pregnant and breastfeeding mothers with tools, education and healthcare services as well as provide pediatric care to children. Hospitals possess the tools to perform health screenings and accurately measure and assess the health of WIC participants.

Churches

WIC services can also often be found at churches. Houses of worship regularly provide aid to their local community and some partner with WIC and offer application appointments, health screenings and support for mothers.

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While smaller churches are unlikely to offer the range of services that WIC clinics do, they are still a useful resource for those located near a WIC servicing church.

Community Centers

Some community centers provide opportunities for low- and moderate-income mothers to receive nutritional assistance for themselves and their children. Many community centers are able to offer the same services and benefits as central WIC offices and health departments such as health screenings, distributing vouchers and hosting classes. While community centers may not have the capacity to service applicants and recipients to the extent that WIC clinics or hospitals can, they are able to provide more specialized resources. For example, in areas where mothers cannot easily access breast pumps, the community center can focus its WIC resources on supplying breast pumps rather than creating cooking classes.

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Tribal Locations

Indian Nation and Tribes throughout the U.S. participate in the WIC program. Families with Native American boundaries are given the opportunity to acquire food assistance, learn about nutrition and receive support in breastfeeding and cooking for themselves and their children. The following are some of the Indian tribes that participate in the WIC nutrition program:

• Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma 

• Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe

• Citizen Potawatomi Nation

• Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians

• Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Council

• Inter-Tribal Council of Nevada 

• Navajo Nation 

• Osage Tribal Council

• Rosebud Sioux Tribe

• Seneca Nation

Within each boundary, there are multiple locations that mothers and children can go to receive WIC assistance such as

hospitals, offices and community centers.

Non-Profit Organizations

The goal of non-profit organizations and groups is to assist individuals and communities. Thus, certain organizations like the Salvation Army are able to partner with WIC and offer appointment and voucher pickup times for applicants and recipients. Certain Salvation Army locations also offer additional support in the form of extra food or toys for children as long as parents or guardians bring proof of WIC eligibility. Other non-profit organizations involved with WIC are:

• Head Start

• Planned Parenthood

• American Red Cross

• World Relief

How to Find a WIC Office Location Near You

Because there are so many locations where you can find a WIC office, it is easy to find a location providing valuable WIC services. The easiest way to find your nearest WIC office is to conduct an online search. The Food and Nutrition Service site provides a list of primary WIC locations

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in the U.S. and its territories. You can also click on the website link associated with each state to explore more location options in your state.

When to Visit A WIC Office

As previously mentioned, the days and hours of operation of WIC program locations differ. Some locations are open during regular business hours while others offer extended or special times. Still others only offer appointments times or services only on a certain each month. Individual WIC offices, health departments and hospitals are most likely to offer a broader range of available hours and appointment times. Because WIC is a services regulated by the federal government, offices are likely to be closed on the following days:

• New Year’s Day (January 1)

• Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. (Third Monday in January)

• Washington’s Birthday (Third Monday in February)

• Memorial Day (Last Monday in May)

• Independence Day (July 4)

• Labor Day (First Monday in September)

• Columbus Day (Second Monday in October)

• Veterans Day (November 11)

• Thanksgiving Day (Fourth Thursday in November)

• Christmas Day (December 25)

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EBT Cards

An Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card is given to some recipients who receive food assistance or financial assistance from certain government programs. The card allows beneficiaries to make use of benefits that are deposited into an account tied to the card. When receiving benefits through an EBT card, it is vital to understand where you can use these benefits, since not all stores accept EBT cards.

If you are in a store that accepts EBT payments, you need to check your balance before putting items in your shopping cart. Being aware of your balance will allow you to know what you can and cannot purchase. Additionally, when you are ready to complete a transaction, it is important to know how to use your card, since the cashier assisting you may not know how to use an EBT card. The sections below provide details on everything you need to know about EBT cards.

What is an EBT card?

Once you qualify for food assistance or cash assistance in the state you live in, you may receive an EBT card. If your state uses these cards, then your benefits for

various programs will be available through the account linked to the card. With the EBT card, you can pay for products that you are eligible to purchase. For instance, if you collect food benefits from the government, you can use your card to purchase approved groceries for you family. Also, the card works like a debit card. When you receive an EBT card, you will be required to create a PIN. Having a PIN will ensure every transaction you make is secure.

How do I check my EBT card balance?

Checking your EBT balance every time before you shop is important. It will allow you to manage the benefits you have remaining in your account. Also, you can see if there are transactions in the card that you did not make or if did not receive the proper amount of money from your local facility. There are several ways you can check your balance, which include:

• Calling the EBT Customer Service number that is on the back of your card.

• Logging into the EBT portal.

• At an ATM or point-of-sale (POS) machine.

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• Checking the receipt of the last purchase you made with the card.

• At a grocery store.

Where can I use my EBT Card?

There are a variety of locations where you can make purchases using your EBT card, such as your local grocery store. If you are unsure if the store you are at accepts EBT cards, you can find out through a variety of ways, which include:

• Asking an employee.

• Stores will have signs stating they accept EBT, TANF or SNAP payments.

• The front of the store will have a Quest, Food Stamps or EBT logo or sign.

Additionally, if you collect cash benefits, you have the ability to withdraw money at an ATM. If the store you are at accepts EBT payments and has an ATM, you may be able to withdraw cash depending on the program you are drawing benefits from. However, if you are unsure if the ATM accepts cash, look for a Quest or EBT logo on the machine. Also, there may be a sign on or near the ATM that states the machine accepts EBT withdrawals.

Where can I not use my EBT Card?

There are a variety of stores that accept EBT payments. However, there are locations that you are prohibited from using your card, which include:

• Bars.

• Liquor stores.

• Bail bond agencies.

• Adult entertainment venues.

• Establishments where minors are prohibited.

• Casinos.

• Tattoo shops.

If you attempt to use your card at any of the locations listed above, the transaction may be declined. However, if the payment goes through, you face the possibility of losing the food or cash assistance you receive from the government.

What can I buy with an EBT card?

When you are at a store that accepts EBT cards, it is vital to understand what you can and cannot purchase. You do not want a product you purchase to be the reason why you lose your benefits. The

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following items are what you can buy with your EBT card if you receive food benefits:

• Bread

• Cereal

• Fruits

• Vegetables

• Dairy products

• Meat

• Fish

• Poultry

• Seeds and plants that produce food

If you collect cash benefits, such as TANF, you can buy the food products that are listed above. Also, you can purchase more items for yourself and your family, which include but are not limited to:

• Clothing.

• Housing expenses.

• Furniture.

• Utilities.

• Transportation.

• Home supplies.

What can I not buy with an EBT card?

If you are at an EBT-approved store, there are still a variety of items or services you cannot purchase. If you make any of the following purchases with your EBT card, you will face consequences:

• Tobacco products

• Alcohol

• Lottery tickets

• Bingo

• Firearms or ammunition

• Tattoo or piercing

• Pornographic content

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How do you use an EBT card?

When you are at a location that accepts EBT payments, it is vital to know how to use your card. The employee assisting you or the person behind you in line may not know how to use an EBT card. If you are unsure of how to use your benefits, below is a step-by-step process on how to complete a transaction:

Swipe your card through the POS terminal or give it to the clerk.

Enter your four-digit PIN on the keypad, then click ENTER.

Let the clerk know the amount of money you want to use on EBT card:

- You can make a partial payment with the government assistance you receive.

- You can receive cash back if you collect cash benefits but not if you collect food benefits.

When the cashier enters the total of your transaction, confirm that it is accurate.

If the total is correct, click YES. If the amount is incorrect, let the clerk know.

Your transaction is complete and the cashier will give you a receipt.

When you receive your receipt, do not throw it away. Your receipt provides you with details on the amount of benefits you used and your remaining balance.

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Additionally, if you receive cash assistance on your EBT card, the steps below provide you with details on how to withdraw your money at an approved ATM:

Insert or swipe your card.

Enter your PIN and press ENTER.

Select the option to WITHDRAW CASH.

Click CHECKING:

- You can only withdraw your benefits from your checking account.

Enter the total amount you want to withdraw. You cannot withdraw more money than what is in your account.

There may be a surcharge depending on where you withdraw your benefit: Select YES to accept or NO to cancel the transaction.

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WIC Denials & Appeals

If you are a WIC applicant who was denied participation in the program, was terminated from the program or was asked to repay the cash value of benefits received, you have the right to appeal the decision. The state you live in is required to give you the opportunity to request a hearing. Also, the WIC facility must provide you with details on how to complete the appeal process.

There are a variety of ways you can appeal your local agency’s choice. For example, you can visit your local WIC office and tell an agent that you want to go through the appeals process. You will need to submit your request within a certain timeframe. If you demand to have a hearing after the deadline, your request will be denied. The sections below provide details on why you may be denied from receiving benefits and how you can appeal the decision.

WIC Denials

If your WIC application was denied by your local facility, your local office is required to inform you of its decision in writing. The document the facility provides you with will have details on why your request for benefits was denied. The reasons why

your state’s agency did not accept your application may include but are not limited to the following:

• You do not live in the state you applied in.

• Your household has a greater income than the state’s cutoff.

• You did not provide proof of your identity.

• You completed the application with false information.

• Your family does not meet the basic requirements, which include:

- Having a pregnant woman in the family.

- Being a mother breastfeeding her child.

- Having a child five years of age or younger.

Additionally, the program can disqualify or terminate you from receiving WIC. For instance, if you do not fulfill your WIC responsibilities, you can have your benefits terminated. You will receive a written letter of the program’s decision, which will provide details on why you are

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losing your benefits. The reasons your local facility will disqualify or terminate you from the program include but are not limited to the following:

• You used your WIC benefits to buy prohibited products.

• Your family does not use the WIC benefits you are allotted.

• You let someone else use your WIC benefits.

• Your household does not attend WIC appointments.

• You receive benefits from more than one clinic.

WIC Appeals

If your local WIC facility denies, terminates or disqualifies you from obtaining benefits, you will be notified in writing. The program will provide you with details on why you are receiving a letter. Also, the office will inform you about your right to appeal its decision. If you want to exercise your right and appeal your local facility’s decision, you need to ask for a hearing one of the following ways:

• Complete a Fair Hearing Request Form

at your local WIC facility, such as this one from New York.

• Write a letter and mail it to your local WIC agency. The letter must include:

- Your name.

- Your address.

- The name of your WIC clinic.

- The reason why you want a hearing.

Once your state’s office receives your request for a hearing, the facility will give you information on the hearing process. Additionally, the program must provide you the opportunity to:

• Hire an attorney to represent or assist you:

- The program will not provide you with an attorney. You will have to pay for a representative.

• Examine the records that support the facility’s decision to deny you WIC benefits.

• Bring witnesses to the hearing.

• Submit evidence to establish facts and circumstances in the case.

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Time Limit to Submit a Request for a Hearing

You do not have the ability to submit your appeal whenever you want. The program will give you 60 days from the date you received your notice. If you do not submit your request within 60 days, the state office can deny your appeal. Additionally, the program will dismiss your demand for a hearing if:

• Your request does not meet the criteria for a fair hearing.

• You withdrew your request.

• You do not attend your hearing.

• Your family has already been denied participation of WIC in a previous hearing, and you cannot provide evidence that your family’s eligibility has changed.

If you do not fall into one of the categories listed above, the program should accept your request for a fair hearing.

Will I continue to receive benefits during the appeal process?

If your benefits were cancelled and you appeal the termination of your WIC benefits within 15 days of the date you received an

adverse advance notice, you will continue to receive government assistance. You will stop collecting WIC assistance once the hearing official reaches a decision or the certification period expires, whichever occurs first. Additionally, if you were denied WIC assistance when you applied, became ineligible during a certification period or your certification period ended, you will not receive benefits.

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Fair Hearing

Your local WIC agency will appoint an unbiased official to conduct the hearing. The official cannot have any personal involvement in the case and the decision of your denial, termination or disqualification from the program. During your hearing, the official will:

• Ensure that all issues are considered.

• Request, receive and record all evidence that is necessary to make a decision.

• Regulate the hearing consistently to ensure an orderly proceeding.

• Order an independent medical assessment or professional evaluation if necessary.

• Make a hearing decision.

The decision made by the hearing official must summarize the facts of the case. He or she needs to specify the reasoning behind the final decision and identify supporting evidence.

Additionally, it may take around 45 days for your local agency to provide you with the results from the hearing. If the ruling is in your favor and WIC benefits were discontinued or your application was

denied, you should immediately begin to collect benefits. However, if the result of the hearing confirms your disqualification from the program, you will no longer be able to collect benefits. Also, if your appeal to repay the cash value of improperly benefits you collected goes in favor of the agency, you will need to pay the agency the amount it requested.

How to Transfer WIC Benefits to Another State

If you are moving to another state, it is vital to understand how to transfer your benefits from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). There are certain steps you must follow to transfer your benefits. For instance, before you move, it is crucial to inform the facility you are currently collecting benefits from. The office will provide you with important documentation so you can transfer your benefits with as little inconvenience as possible.

Additionally, there are a variety of documents you must have with you when you visit the new facility. For example, you will need to present the agent assisting you with proof of your new address. You will delay the transfer process if you do

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not have the necessary items with you. Also, if you move to another location within your state and you need to collect benefits from a new facility, you still need to transfer your benefits. In the sections below, you will learn about the process you need to follow in order to transfer your WIC benefits to another office.

Do I need to inform my local WIC office that I am moving?

If you want to transfer your benefits to another state, you must notify the state you currently live in. The facility will provide you with a WIC Identification Transfer Card or your Verification of Certification (VOC), depending on the state you live in. The identification card and VOC contains essential information about you, which includes:

• Your name.

• The date you began receiving WIC benefits.

• The date your eligibility ends.

• The date your income eligibility was determined.

• The date you received your last WIC check.

• Your nutrition risk factors.

• Signature of the agency that issued you transfer documentation.

• Name and address of your previous agency.

• Your identification number the WIC office uses for accountability purposes.

Your transfer card or VOC will let WIC facilities know that you are currently collecting WIC assistance from another state. Also, the documentation will have details on your household’s history with the WIC benefits program.

What items do I need to take to a new facility?

Before you move, contact the WIC facility of the state you are moving to. Let the office know that you want to transfer your benefits from another state. Also, schedule an appointment to visit the facility. The majority of offices require you to have an appointment or you will not be able to speak with an agent who can help.

On the day of your appointment, you need to be on time. If you are late, you will not be able to speak with an agent and will need to make another appointment.

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Additionally, when you visit the office, you must have specific items with you:

• Your WIC Identification Transfer Card or VOC.

• Your prescription for special formula or supplements.

• Proof of your identity.

• Proof of your new address.

Also, immunization records for your children and any WIC checks you have from another state are not required, but the facility can obtain valuable information with those items.

What if I do not have a transfer card or VOC?

If you do not have a WIC Identification Transfer Card or VOC when you visit your new facility, it will slow down the process of transferring your benefits. The office will not have details on the assistance you received in the past, such as the amount of benefits you collected each month.

To gather details about your history, the agency will have to contact the facility you last received benefits from. The office will collect details on your history, which may

happen quickly or take a while, depending on the availability of your previous facility.

Additionally, if you have acceptable documentation but the local agency cannot determine your eligibility, you will be required to make a certification appointment. The appointment will allow the facility to review your information and decide if you qualify for benefits. Also, if you have a certification but it is going to expire soon, the facility may have you complete a recertification instead of making you complete the certification process. A recertification will allow you to receive a transfer of your benefits more quickly.

What happens after the office verifies my eligibility for WIC?

Once the program has all the necessary information it needs from you, the facility will complete the final steps of your transfer. The agent will review your rights and responsibilities when collecting WIC benefits. Also, the employee assisting you will provide you with information that is beneficial to you, such as:

• A WIC shopping guide

• A list of WIC-approved foods

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• Details on how to use benefits

• A list of local WIC vendors

After the agent reviews all the materials listed above, he or she will issue the food benefits that you are eligible to collect. Moreover, if you have unused benefits from your previous WIC facility, let the agent assisting you know. He or she will contact the last office you collected benefits from to confirm that you still have benefits remaining. When the agent verifies the amount you have remaining, he or she will transfer your remaining balance to your new WIC check or card.

Do I need to transfer my benefits if I am moving to another city?

If you are moving to another city and there is a different WIC facility designated for you to collect benefits from, you will need to transfer your benefits. The procedure for in-state transfers is similar to the process for out-of-state transfers.

You will need inform the facility that you currently collect benefits from that you are moving to another city. Depending on the state you live in, the office will give you your WIC ID folder, a transfer card or VOC. In addition to the WIC identification

your old facility provided you with, you will need to have proof of your identity and new address to complete the transfer. Once the agency verifies your eligibility, the agent assisting you will transfer any benefits you have remaining from your old WIC card or check. The office will issue you a new WIC card or check and give you details on the stores you can use your benefits in.

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Lost WIC Card

If your WIC card is lost, stolen or damaged, there are certain procedures you need to follow in order to avoid losing funds and make sure you get a replacement card as quickly as possible. For example, you must let your local facility know what happened to your card. The program will deactivate your card, which will prevent others from gaining access to your benefits. Also, it allows you the opportunity to set an appointment to obtain a new card.

Additionally, you need to provide the agency you are visiting with identification to obtain your new card. If you are unable to provide proof of who you are, you will not be able to get a new card. Review the following sections to learn what you need to do when you lose your card and how to replace it.

What do I do when I lose my WIC Card?

If someone steals your WIC card, or if your card is damaged or missing, you need to report it as soon as possible. You can report your issue by visiting your local facility. Also, you have the option of calling the EBT customer service in your state.

The staff member assisting you will ask for your full name, date of birth and ZIP code in order to deactivate your card. Your personal information allows the agent to confirm who you are and cancel the correct card.

Additionally, if someone steals your WIC benefits, you need to contact the police. You must let the officer know that your WIC card was stolen and request a police report. The majority of states require you to have a police report, as it is a way the program can confirm that someone did take your card.

Moreover, if you are afraid that someone else used your benefits before you deactivated your card, you can check your balance online. Also, you have the option of calling WIC customer service. If you discover that someone else used your card, you need to let a customer service agent know. The agent will provide you with details on what you need to do to remove the transactions you did not make.

Note: If you report that your card is missing and you find it, you cannot use your WIC benefits. Your card is locked, and your local facility will not reactivate it. You need a new card in order to use your benefits.

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When can I get my replacement WIC card?

When you call the WIC customer service center or visit a local center, the agent will provide you with details on when you can obtain your replacement card. Depending on the state you live in, you will have to wait one to seven business days to pick up your new WIC card. Furthermore, you will need to set an appointment to obtain your new card. You can schedule a meeting in person or by calling your state’s WIC office. An agent will not assist you without an appointment.

What do I need to take to my appointment?

When you go in for your appointment, you are required to have evidence of your identification. The following items are ways you can verify your identification:

• Driver’s license

• Passport

• Birth certificate

• Military ID

• Social Security card

• Hospital records

Once your identity is confirmed, the WIC office will give you your new WIC card. You will need to sign the back of the card and any necessary paperwork confirming that you received your replacement card.

Moreover, if you told the WIC office that your card is damaged, you are not required to take your card with you. If you return the card, it will be destroyed and disposed of.

Note: If you do not have any form of identification to present to your local facility, you cannot obtain your new WIC card. The agent cannot ensure that he or she is issuing the card to the correct individual. In these cases, you will need to schedule another appointment in order to receive your WIC card.

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What happens to the benefits I had in my old card?

If your card was lost, stolen or damaged at the end of the month, you may lose your unused benefits. This is due to the fact that your local facility takes one to seven days to for the replacement process to be completed, depending on the state you live in. However, if you lost your card in the beginning or middle of the month, you may be able to collect the benefits you did not use in the month.

In addition, your local facility will not provide you with unused benefits from previous months. For example, if you had $20 in WIC benefits that you do did not use three months ago, you will not receive those funds.

Do I need to change my PIN?

Your local office does not require you to change your PIN. You can keep the same identification number or create a new one. If you decide to create a new PIN, it has to contain four numbers. Also, it is vital that you remember your new identification number. If you attempt to use your old PIN or enter an inaccurate PIN several times, your card will lock. You will have to call your local clinic in order to reactivate your card.

What happens if I lose my WIC check?

If someone took your WIC check or it is missing, the majority of states will not replace it. However, you still need to let the facility know that your check is missing, as it allows the office to void the check. In addition, if your state does replace stolen checks, you will need to provide your local agency with evidence. Similar to when you lose a WIC card, the way to provide proof is by providing an agent with a police report.

If you report that your check was stolen or missing and you find it, you are unable to use it. The check is no longer valid. Additionally, if you attempt to use the check and the transaction is completed, you will face consequences, such as losing your WIC benefits.

Also, if your WIC check suffers damages, you need to take it to your local WIC clinic. The majority of clinics will issue you a new check if the check is not expired. If you tell your local agency that your check suffered damages and you do not have the check with you, the office may not be able to provide you with a new check.

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Additional Resources

In addition to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), there are a variety of different programs that offer food benefits and nutrition education to qualifying low-income individuals.

These programs were created to further the mission of WIC and increase the access of nutritious foods and formula to women and infants at nutritional risk. The Infant Formula Rebate System works with a variety of infant formula manufacturers that offer rebates to state agencies every time a WIC participants purchases products. This allows the WIC program to have the funds to continue issuing WIC vouchers to eligible recipients.

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The Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) is a subprogram of WIC that provides special vouchers that can be used at participating farmers’ markets and roadside stands. Much like WIC, which has lists of approved foods, this program also has a list of supplemental foods that recipients may purchase. This is to ensure that women and children are receiving the proper nutrients to stay healthy. Because these programs are exclusive to qualifying women and children, WIC recipients can also apply for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to receive sufficient food benefits for their entire family. These food benefits also allow WIC recipients the opportunity to buy more groceries that are not on their WIC-approved food lists.

WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program

The Farmers’ Market Nutrition Plan (FMNP) is a subprogram of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). The WIC program was created to give underserved pregnant women, mothers and young children access to healthy, nourishing foods. Additionally, it provides benefits to impoverished pregnant

women, infants and children five years of age and younger who are deficient in nutrients. More specifically, it offers free supplemental foods, medical care referrals and valuable nutrition education so that developing children can reach their full growth potential.

In efforts to provide WIC recipients with access to fresh fruits and vegetables, the WIC program created the FMNP program to promote local agriculture. The program provides additional checks and coupons to WIC recipients so that they have the opportunity to reap the nutritional benefits of their local farmers’ markets. While not all states participate in the program, the majority do. To learn more about FMNP eligibility requirements and how the program operates by state, review the following sections.

What is the FMNP?

The FMNP subprogram was established in 1992 as part of the WIC program. It was created to provide WIC recipients with access to fresh, nutritious and locally grown produce while promoting the benefits of farmer’ markets. The program continues to support local agriculture by encouraging the sales of fresh produce.

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In addition to their regular food benefits, eligible FMNP recipients are issued coupons that allow them to purchase fruits, vegetables and herbs from participating farmers, farmers’ markets and roadside produce stands. The federal government provides funding that covers the entire food costs of the program and 70 percent of the program’s administrative cost with state agencies contributing the remaining 30 percent.

How does the program operate?

The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides funding to a multitude of state agencies for the FMNP program, including state health departments and state agriculture departments. Although granted cash by the federal government, state agencies create their own plans based on how they would like to operate and administer the program.

State agencies authorize specific farmers markets and roadside stands to accept FMNP benefits. These participating stores then submit the checks or coupons they receive from WIC recipients to the appropriate bank or state agency,

depending on the state, to receive a reimbursement.

Eligibility for FMNP Benefits

Those eligible for the FMNP program include women and infants older than four months. Additionally, FMNP benefits are offered to WIC recipients and those on the waiting list for WIC certification. In some states, such as Connecticut and Arkansas, low-income seniors may be eligible to receive Senior FMNP coupons.

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Applicants who meet WIC qualifications will automatically be eligible to receive FMNP coupons in addition to their WIC food benefits. These qualifications include being one of the following:

• A pregnant woman

• A postpartum woman

• A breastfeeding woman

• An infant

• A child up to five years of age

Additionally, individuals who fall within the above categories must meet income requirements and be residents of states participating in the program, such as Florida and Virginia. Moreover, applicants must have a gross income that does not exceed 185 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). However, states do have the power to reduce the limit of these income guidelines. Typically, applicants will qualify for the FMNP program if they meet the income requirements of other government programs in their state, such as Medicaid or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). FMNP applicants must also be seen as a nutritional risk by a medical professional to qualify for nutrition benefits.

To be determined a nutritional risk, applicants must be underweight, anemic, of maternal age and have a history of complications with pregnancy or have experienced unfortunate pregnancy outcomes in the past. This includes a stillbirth or miscarriage, which is seen as a high priority risk.  Additionally, a nutritional risk includes insufficient nutrient intake, which may be due to the inability to afford healthy and nutritious foods.

Other dietary risks include improper infant feeding and unsanitary preparation of nursing bottles. Applicants must undergo a free health screening by a nurse, physician or nutritionist to determine their eligibility. Due to the scarcity of funds, WIC has established a priority system for states to follow in instances where they meet their maximum caseload. Pregnant women, breastfeeding women and infants with serious medical issues are amongst the top priorities.

What foods can WIC recipients purchase through FMNP?

WIC recipients may purchase a variety of foods that are considered locally grown within their state borders. In some cases, these foods may have been grown from

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neighboring states as well. These foods consist of fresh and unprepared fruits, vegetables and herbs. However, many states have their own lists of specific foods that are allowed to be purchased with FMNP coupons, such as Arkansas. These lists consist of nutritious foods, such as berries, eggplant, beans, apples and tomatoes.

For the most part, WIC recipients will not be allowed to purchase prepared or processed foods through the FMNP program. When receiving their coupons, WIC recipients will typically receive informational guides or will be connected to educational resources that show them how to store, prepare and make nutritious meals with these foods. These resources may stem from local chefs, farmer’s markets associations or non-profit organizations, depending on what organizations each state collaborates with.

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How to Receive FMNP Coupons

To receive FMNP coupons, households must contact the state agency that administers the program in their area. Each state has a time frame set each year for the distribution of coupons on a first-come, first-served basis. For example, programs in Mississippi and Delaware begin issuing coupons in June or July and end the program around October or when there are no more funds to allocate. Applicants will receive their coupons based on priority and may be waitlisted depending on the number of cases that have to be accommodated for.

FMNP State Agency and Farmers’ Market Participation

There are 49 State agencies, U.S. Territories and Indian Tribal Organizations currently participating in the FMNP program. These states include California, Alabama, Chickasaw Nation and the Osage Tribe. It is each state’s responsibility to address and authorize farmers, farmers’ markets and roadside produce stands to cooperate in the FMNP program. Residents may find these FMNP-approved markets and stands on lists given by the state agency issuing their coupons. These locations will typically have a sign that reads “we

accept WIC benefits”. Residents will not be able to purchase foods from wholesale distributors and markets that are not authorized by their state agencies.

WIC Infant Formula Rebate System

The Infant Formula Rebate System is a program created by the WIC program for non-breastfeeding mothers who cannot afford the high costs of infant formula. While the WIC program encourages breastfeeding, it still supports women who may not be able to breastfeed or prefer formula feeding instead. Federal law requires that states obtain rebate contracts with infant formula manufacturers. By agreeing to provide a particular infant formula brand, state agencies are able to save money through rebates and provide more benefits to their recipients. This also gives manufacturers an incentive to provide State agencies rebates in exchange for more business.

Furthermore, there are certain federal regulations that states must follow when operating their infant formula rebate contracts. For example, all state agencies are required to operate a cost-containment system when

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accepting contract bids from infant formula manufacturer. Choosing the right manufacturer that provides the best rebates gives the WIC program the financial ability to keep distributing infant formulas to qualifying recipients. To find out how to receive infant formula through WIC and the different types of formulas offered, WIC beneficiaries can read the following sections below.

The Purpose of the Infant Formula Rebate System

The mission of the Infant Formula Rebate System is to provide infants at nutritional risk the opportunity to reach their full growth potential by giving mothers more access to infant formula. By negotiating rebate contracts with manufacturers, state agencies are promised a rebate for every can of infant formula purchased by a recipient with WIC vouchers or eWIC. This means that a portion of the purchase is given back to the agency for supporting the infant formula manufacturer. As a result, the program can continue to provide food and formula benefits to its beneficiaries.

For example, the program saved $1.74 billion in 2017 with rebates

and approximately 1.55 million WIC participants were served each month. While WIC’s initiatives promote the benefits of breastfeeding, the program understands that there are women who may choose to partially breastfeed or not breastfeed their infants at all due to various challenges and constraints. These challenges include stringent employment schedules and social constraints which may cause mothers embarrassment. Hence, why the program continues to provide iron-fortified infant formula to WIC mothers who prefer this method. The purpose of this program is to ensure that infants in low-income households receive adequate nutrition and avoid the negative effects of early introduction to cow’s milk or over-diluted formula that can lead to water intoxication.

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Choosing an Infant Formula Manufacturer

The federal law requires that all state agencies under the Infant Formula Rebate System operate a cost-containment system for the obtainment of infant formula. However, there are a few exceptions, including state agencies that serve food packages through home delivery and direct distribution food delivery systems. Additionally, Indian State agencies with less than one thousand participants are excluded.

Otherwise, federal law requires that state agencies use a single-supplier competitive system to find and award a responsible infant formula manufacturer that offers the lowest price for infant formula or the highest rebate for a standard amount of infant formula units. State agencies are required to solicit or invite bids in one of two ways: single solicitation or separate solicitation. Single solicitation involves requesting a standard brand of milk-based infant formula that is suitable for the general population of healthy infants.

However, manufacturers awarded through this method must produce a soy-based formula in their line of products by subcontracting with another

manufacturer. On the other hand, separate solicitation requests a milk-based and soy-based infant formula separately. This gives smaller manufacturers with a limited line of infant formulas the opportunity to bid on contracts. In this case, State agencies may obtain two contracts with separate manufacturers. Contracts with these manufacturers typically last for three years.

Types of Infant Formula

The majority of state agencies choose brands of infant formula that are offered in a variety of physical forms, including concentrated liquid, powder and ready-to-feed. These formulas are typically beneficial for all healthy, full-term infants. While the most common forms of formulas issued are concentrated liquid and powder, the WIC program offers formula in ready-to-feed form for special circumstances. For example, a mother may receive a ready-to-feed formula if she does not have sufficient and clean water.

Additionally, there are instances where State agencies may issue non-contract brands of formulas to infants with special formula needs due to a medical condition. In these cases, mothers must provide their

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WIC clinic with medical documentation that recommends the use of another infant formula product. For example, the standard milk-based formula for most states, such as Washington and California, is Similac Advance.

These states also carry soy-based options, such as Gerber Good Start Soy. For therapeutic formulas, such as Similac Neosure and Pediasure, WIC recipients must provide their WIC clinic with a prescription that lists their medical diagnosis. This may include an immune system disorder or a gastrointestinal disorder. Besides the standard milk-based and soy-based formulas, the following types of formulas may meet certain medical needs:

• Iron-fortified infant formula

• Low-iron infant formula

• Hypoallergenic infant formula

• Lactose-free infant formula

• Infant formulas with nutrients that mimic breast milk (nucleotides, prebiotics and probiotics)

How to Obtain a Contract Brand Infant Formula

If you are a WIC recipient, you will receive vouchers or checks that can only be used to purchase a contract brand infant formula at an authorized vendor. To receive these vouchers or checks, you must contact your appropriate State agency at their toll-free number to set up an appointment. Authorized vendors will receive a list of the infant formula providers accepted by the program. You will not be able to purchase an infant formula outside of this list.

You may only purchase a formula from this list that fits the type of formula described in your voucher. If you would like to obtain a special formula or non-contract formula, contact your WIC clinic to set up a health screening to obtain a prescription that fits your medical needs. You will need to submit a medical documentation form that requests the infant formula type you need, describes your infant’s medical condition and provides your medical provider’s information for verification purposes.

WIC vs. Food Stamps

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special

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Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) are both food assistance programs that provide food benefits to impoverished individuals and families struggling to purchase groceries and maintain a well-balanced diet. While these programs both work to fight hunger in the U.S., there are many factors that make them different. Primarily, SNAP is a much larger food assistance program, providing food benefits to the majority of low-income households across the country.

On the other hand, the WIC program is much more exclusive by providing food vouchers to eligible women, infants and children. Furthermore, SNAP is less restrictive on the types of foods recipients can buy from a variety of grocery stores and local convenience stores. The WIC program provides vouchers that can only be used at specific stores and for pre-determined nutritional foods. Additionally, the SNAP application process is much more extensive considering the program offers more cash assistance. To learn more about these programs and their benefits, read the following sections.

SNAP and WIC Eligibility Requirements

Although both of the government-based nutrition programs provide food benefits to low-income individuals and families, there are a few key differences in eligibility requirements. For example, WIC recipients must be low-income, nutritionally at risk and fit one of the following descriptions:

• Pregnant women, including women within six weeks post-pregnancy.

• Postpartum women up to six months after a birth or pregnancy.

• Breastfeeding women up to their infant’s first birthday.

• Infants younger than one year of age.

• Children younger than five years of age.

Individuals who meet one of the categories listed above must also be residents of the state in which they apply. In some states, recipients must live in the same local service area of their WIC clinic. WIC applicants do not have to reside in their state for a certain period of time before being able to receive benefits. Additionally, WIC applicants must be seen at nutritional risk as determined by a doctor or other

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medical professional.

This includes being underweight and having a history of negative pregnancy outcomes. As for income requirements, WIC applicants can determine their eligibility based on whether their income is at or below the standard set by their state agency. Because the same state departments typically oversee SNAP and WIC, those who meet SNAP income eligibility typically meet income requirements for WIC.

However, SNAP eligibility requirements are more stringent than WIC requirements in other ways. For example, beneficiaries must be U.S. citizens or non-citizens who have lived in the U.S. for at least five years, minors or recipients of disability-related assistance. Additionally, some SNAP recipients must meet work requirements to receive benefits past a certain time period. This includes registering for work and participating in employment and training programs. Those who do not need to meet work requirements consist of children, pregnant women and seniors. Similar to SNAP, the WIC program does not require work obligations for these groups.

WIC vs. SNAP Benefits

The SNAP program provides recipients with monthly benefits on a plastic Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, which can be used like a debit card. These benefits can be used to purchase groceries at local grocery stores, convenience stores and farmers’ markets. On the other hand, the WIC program currently administers benefits through several delivery methods, allowing recipients to purchase specific foods from an approved food list. While some states issue vouchers or coupons to recipients, other states deliver food packages directly to recipient’s homes. These packages are tailored to different categories of participants and their dietary needs, each containing maximum monthly allowances.

However, all states participating in the WIC program are set to adopt the EBT or eWIC card by October 1, 2020, in efforts to make shopping more efficient. Furthermore, benefits are allotted to qualifying SNAP recipients year-round. Recipients will receive benefits on a specific day every month depending on their state. Click here to find out your state’s issuance schedule.

The amount of benefits SNAP recipients

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receive is based on their income and household size. Unlike SNAP, the WIC program cannot provide benefits to all qualifying applicants due to insufficient funding. Once state agencies have met their maximum caseload for WIC, they must distribute benefits by priority. For example, pregnant women, breastfeeding women and infants in serious nutritional risk are top priority.

Non-food Benefits

In addition to food benefits, both nutrition programs provide non-food benefits to their recipients. The SNAP program funds an educational subprogram entitled SNAP-ED. The program teaches beneficiaries how to maintain healthy diets and how to make the most out of their SNAP benefits through educational seminars and social marketing campaigns. Recipients can order educational materials and find wholesome recipes.

The WIC program also provides valuable non-food benefits, such as nutrition education and counseling at WIC clinics in efforts to teach recipients how to maintain adequate and nutritious dietary patterns. The WIC program also offers health screenings and referrals to other

government health and social services for recipients who need it.

What foods can you receive with WIC and SNAP benefits?

There are many foods that beneficiaries can receive with both WIC and SNAP benefits. However, the foods available through the WIC program are much more limited to fit the nutritional needs of WIC participants. Some of these foods include infant cereal, soy-based beverages, baby foods and fruit high in vitamin C. Additionally, the program provides iron-fortified infant formula, as well as prescribed infant formulas and foods for WIC participants who do not breastfeed.

Furthermore, some foods on the approved list are regulated by price. For example, recipients in New York must purchase the cheapest milk and eggs in store. Participants can find out which foods are on their state’s WIC approved list through this link. The approved foods through SNAP are less restrictive, allowing recipients to purchase their choice of breads and cereals, fruits and vegetables, dairy and animal products. The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 also allows SNAP recipients to purchase soft drinks, ice cream, cookies, cakes and some energy

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drinks, which is less nutritious than WIC approved foods.

Applying for the SNAP and WIC Program

SNAP and WIC programs are generally administered through the same state departments. These departments may include departments of social services, health, and public health or family services. Typically, those who are accepted into the SNAP program are accepted into the WIC program as well as long as they meet WIC’s other eligibility requirements, due to SNAP’s demanding eligibility requirements. However, those who are not accepted into SNAP may still qualify for the WIC program.

You are recommended to apply for SNAP first to avoid having to complete two application processes. Contact your state’s SNAP and/or WIC department to receive more information on the application process. When applying for the WIC program, you must call the appropriate toll-free number to set up an appointment at your state or local agency. If you are applying for SNAP, locate your state agency’s website to see if your state has an online application. Additionally, you may call your state’s hotline number to receive more information about the application process.