Shopping with WIC

WIC will give you a WIC Card, shopping list, and Shopping Guide to help you shop for your WIC foods. You'll also get a WIC ID and Card folder to store your WIC Card, grocery store receipts, and appointment cards.

1. Get started with your WIC Card

Before you use your card for the first time, you'll need to activate it. Call the WIC Card Line 24 hours per day and 7 days a week at 1-844-359-3104. Follow the prompts to activate the card. You'll need to:

  • Enter your zip code and the Cardholder's date of birth.
  • Choose a 4-digit PIN that's easy for you to remember and hard for others to guess.

You can get help with your WIC Card by calling your WIC clinic during normal business hours or visiting the WIC Card Help page.

2. Plan your shopping trip

  • Check to see what WIC foods you have available by:
    • Looking at the printed WIC shopping list from your WIC clinic
      OR
    • Calling the number on the back of your WIC Card
      OR
    • Downloading the WICShopper app and registering your WIC Card. You'll see your current WIC foods under My Benefits.
  • The WIC Shopping Guide can help you know what foods you can get before you go to the store. In the WIC Shopping Guide you'll see which brands and package sizes are allowed.
  • Shop only at WIC authorized grocery stores. Use the WICShopper app to find a store near you or look for the “WIC Accepted Here” signs at local stores.

3. Shop for your WIC foods

  • Choose only foods that are WIC approved and only in the amounts shown on the Shopping List.
  • Only buy the WIC foods you need. You can shop as many times as you like while your benefits are active.
  • Be aware, stores aren't required to carry all WIC approved foods. You can ask the store staff if they can order the foods you need.
  • You can receive in-store or manufacturer specials when you shop with a WIC card, such as:
    • buy one - get one free
    • store loyalty cards
    • manufacturer promotions
    • store specials

You can use the specials for non-WIC foods.

4. Checking out at the grocery store with your WIC Card

  • Place your WIC items ahead of any other items you may be purchasing. Have the cashier complete your WIC transaction first, so you'll know if a food wasn't covered by WIC as expected.
  • Let the cashier know you're using a WIC Card before they begin scanning your items.
  • At the end of the transaction the cashier will give you a final receipt showing the foods you just purchased and the date your benefits end.
  • Keep all your receipts! They show:
    • What foods are covered by WIC.
    • Your benefit balance.
    • WIC staff what happened at that store in case you have questions.

You can use your smart phone to take a photo of receipts and keep a copy.

What You Should Know

  • If you can't use your WIC foods or formula, you should bring any unused, unopened, non-perishable foods to your WIC clinic. This is important because:
    • You can't sell WIC foods or formula.
    • You can't give WIC foods or formula away to family or friends.
    • You can't post any WIC foods or formula for sale or trade on websites, social media pages, or other forms of public communication.

Additional Resources