How to Apply for WIC

WIC – Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children – is a special Federal welfare program that offers vouchers for food, nutrition counseling, free formula, breastfeeding support, and health care to mothers and children (aged newborn to 5 years) with little or no income. Women who are currently pregnant or have recently given birth that are already receiving assistance from other programs, like Medicaid, TANF, or Food Stamps, are automatically eligible to receive assistance from WIC. Those who aren't can still apply if they meet the program's requirements; read on to find out how to apply for WIC:

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Once you have reviewed the guidelines to see if you meet all of the eligibility requirements, you can apply for WIC. If you are already receiving any type of assistance from other Federal welfare programs, you already qualify for WIC, however, you still need to apply for the program.

2. Visit the program's website directory for a list of WIC state agencies and toll-free numbers. Find your state on the directory listing, and call the number listed for your state to get in touch with your local WIC office. You can find a list of state offices and phone numbers at the URL below:
   
   http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/Contacts/tollfreenumbers.htm
   
   You can also find the address, phone number, and website (if available) for your state agency to learn more about your state's specific WIC program by visiting this URL:
   
   http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/Contacts/statealpha.HTM
   
   After you find the appropriate contact information for your local WIC office, call and make an appointment to come in and apply for WIC. Depending on the size of the program and the current participants, there may be a short wait before you can receive an appointment.

3. o prepare for your appointment, gather all of the necessary documents you will need to provide the WIC office to show you meet the eligibility requirements. You will need to bring:
   
   Your driver's license or other government photo identification;
   Your Social Security card;
   2 pieces of mail as proof of address;
   Your child's birth certificate and Social Security card, if already born; and,
   Immunization records for your child; or
   A signed letter from your treating physician confirming your pregnancy; or,
   If you do not have a doctor, you may be asked to take a pregnancy test at the office;
   Proof of any income you receive from employment, like your last two paychecks;
   Proof of any additional income, like child support and/or alimony (your last two checks);
   Proof of any checking or savings accounts you currently have, and the amount of money currently in them;
   Proof of all forms of income for your spouse, if applicable;
   Proof of all forms of income of anyone who is living with you who supports you, if applicable; or,
   A signed letter from anyone who is living with you stating they do not provide you or your child and financial support, if this is the case.
   
   You may also be asked to bring additional documents to your appointment. Ask the office when you call to arrange the appointment exactly what you should bring with you. In some cases, if your child is already born, you may be required to bring your child along with you to the first appointment.

4. At your appointment, you will be asked to fill out several forms to apply for WIC. These forms ask about your financial situation, including income and current expenses, your health and pregnancy, the health of the unborn baby or child, medical history of both you and the baby, whether you currently are or plan to breastfeed or formula feed, your living situation, and so on. You will also be asked what assistance you would like to receive. You can choose only the assistance you want or need, or accept everything that you qualify for. You will also be asked to show the documentation that you brought with you to the appointment.

5. After filling out the application, you will usually find out whether or not you are accepted into the program. If so, you may or may not begin to receive benefits right away; this depends on whether or not there is a waiting list, and if you are considered in need of emergency care. If there is a waiting list, you may be asked to wait a few months before you begin receiving benefits; otherwise, you will begin to receive food vouchers and/or a WIC debit card, free formula or breastfeeding support, health insurance for you and your child, and any other assistance you asked for and qualify for. Those who are currently pregnant, with limited resources and no health insurance are generally accepted into the program immediately.

6. If you are accepted, you have responsibility to continue visiting the office even apply you apply for WIC on a regular basis. Your office may require check-up visits, proof of medical care, weigh-ins, nutritional counseling, and more. If you fail to come to your required appointments, you may be suspended or removed from the program.