Guide to California's WIC Program for Women, Infants, and Children

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides essential nutrition and health support to low-income pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and young children. This guide explains California's WIC program, how to apply, what benefits you'll receive, and how to use them effectively.

What is WIC?

WIC is a federally-funded nutrition program administered by the California Department of Public Health. Unlike CalFresh (food stamps), WIC is specifically designed to support the health and nutritional needs of:

Pregnant women
Women who are breastfeeding (up to the infant's first birthday)
Women who have recently given birth (up to 6 months postpartum)
Infants and children up to their 5th birthday

WIC Services and Benefits

WIC provides multiple benefits beyond food assistance:

Nutrition Benefits: Monthly food benefits through the California WIC Card
Nutrition Education: Counseling on healthy eating during pregnancy and early childhood
Breastfeeding Support: Education, support, and resources, including breast pumps when needed
Health Screenings: Growth monitoring for children and nutrition assessments
Referrals: Connections to healthcare, immunizations, and other community services

Eligibility Requirements

Category Eligibility

You must be one of the following:

A pregnant woman (during pregnancy and up to 6 weeks postpartum)
A postpartum woman (up to 6 months after birth or pregnancy termination)
A breastfeeding woman (up to infant's 1st birthday)
An infant (under 1 year of age)
A child (1-5 years of age)

Residency Requirement

You must live in California. Unlike some other benefit programs:

There is no minimum residency period
You can apply as soon as you establish residency in California
You must apply in the county where you live

Income Eligibility

Your household income must be at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).

Household Size	Annual Income	Monthly Income	Weekly Income
1	$25,142	$2,096	$484
2	$33,874	$2,823	$652
3	$42,606	$3,551	$820
4	$51,338	$4,279	$988
5	$60,070	$5,006	$1,156
6	$68,802	$5,734	$1,324
7	$77,534	$6,462	$1,492
8	$86,266	$7,189	$1,659
Each additional person	+$8,732	+$728	+$168

Note: Income guidelines are updated annually. These figures are current as of 2024.

Automatic Income Eligibility

You automatically meet the income requirement if you or your family members participate in:

Medi-Cal (Medicaid)
CalFresh (SNAP/food stamps)
CalWORKs (TANF)

Simply provide proof of participation in these programs during your application.

Nutritional Risk Requirement

WIC participants must have a nutritional risk factor, which is assessed during your WIC appointment. Risk factors include:

Medical conditions (anemia, underweight, overweight, etc.)
Dietary concerns (poor diet, food insecurity, etc.)
Previous pregnancy complications
Breastfeeding problems
Growth concerns in children

Most applicants who meet the other eligibility requirements will also meet this requirement.

How to Apply for WIC

Step 1: Contact Your Local WIC Office

There are several ways to connect with WIC:

Call: 1-888-WIC-WORKS (1-888-942-9675) to find your local WIC office
Visit: MyFamily.WIC.ca.gov and use the "Find a WIC Office" feature
Text: "APPLY" to 91997 (includes Spanish option)

Step 2: Schedule an Appointment

When you contact WIC, they will:

Briefly pre-screen you for eligibility
Schedule an appointment at your local WIC office
Explain what documents to bring to your appointment

Step 3: Attend Your WIC Appointment

At your appointment, WIC staff will:

Verify your identity, residency, and income
Assess your nutritional needs
Determine your eligibility
Issue benefits if you qualify
Provide nutrition education

You'll receive your WIC Card and instructions for using it at this appointment.

Required Documentation

Bring the following documents to your appointment:

Identification: Photo ID, birth certificate, or immunization record for infants/children
Proof of Address: Utility bill, rent receipt, or driver's license with current address
Proof of Income: Recent pay stubs, tax returns, or benefit award letters
Proof of Pregnancy: Medical documentation with expected due date (for pregnant women)
Medi-Cal, CalFresh, or CalWORKs Documentation: If applicable (for automatic income eligibility)

If you're missing documentation, contact your WIC office. They may be able to help you obtain the necessary documents or suggest alternatives.

WIC Food Benefits

The California WIC Card

California uses an electronic benefit system for WIC:

Benefits are loaded onto a WIC Card (similar to a debit card)
Food benefits are issued for a 3-month period
Benefits are available on a specific day each month
Unused benefits do not roll over to the next month
The card can be used at any WIC-authorized store in California

WIC-Approved Foods

WIC provides specific nutritious foods based on your category (pregnant, breastfeeding, infant, etc.). Approved foods include:

Fruits and Vegetables: Fresh, frozen, or canned
Whole Grains: Bread, brown rice, tortillas, oatmeal, whole grain pasta
Dairy: Milk, cheese, yogurt
Protein: Eggs, beans, peas, lentils, peanut butter, tofu
Cereal: Iron-fortified, whole grain options
Juice: 100% fruit or vegetable juice
Infant Foods: Iron-fortified formula, infant cereal, baby fruits and vegetables, baby meats (for breastfed infants)
Fish: Canned tuna, salmon, sardines, mackerel
Soy Products: Soy milk, tofu

The California WIC Program provides a WIC Authorized Food List that details specific brands and types of foods you can purchase.

Food Benefit Amounts

The amount and types of food you receive depend on:

Your participant category (pregnant, breastfeeding, child, etc.)
Age of the child
Special dietary needs

For example:

Pregnant women receive different foods than breastfeeding women
Infants receive formula (if not breastfed) and baby foods
Children 1-5 years old receive milk, fruits, vegetables, and other foods appropriate for their age

Farmers' Market Nutrition Program

In addition to regular WIC benefits, you may also receive Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) benefits during the summer months:

Special checks to purchase fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables
Can only be used at participating farmers' markets
Available once per year (typically May through November)
Must be used during the current season

Using Your WIC Benefits

Shopping with Your WIC Card

Follow these steps when using your WIC Card:

Before shopping, check your benefit balance:
- Use the WIC app (California MyWIC)
- Call the number on the back of your card
- Check your last receipt
Look for "WIC Authorized Vendor" signs at stores
Select WIC-approved foods (refer to your food list or app)
At checkout:
- Tell the cashier you're using a WIC Card
- Separate WIC items from other purchases if possible
- Swipe your WIC Card when prompted
- Enter your 4-digit PIN
- Review and approve the WIC food items
- Pay for any non-WIC items with another payment method
Keep your receipt to check your remaining balance

California MyWIC App

The free California MyWIC app provides helpful tools:

Check your current food benefit balance
Scan barcodes while shopping to verify WIC-eligible foods
Find WIC-authorized stores near you
View upcoming appointments
Receive notifications about benefits and appointments
Access recipes and nutrition information

Download the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

Tips for Successful WIC Shopping

Always bring your WIC Card to your WIC appointments and when shopping
Check your benefits before shopping to know what's available
Use the WIC app to scan items and verify eligibility
Remember that benefits reset monthly and don't roll over
If you have problems at checkout, ask for the store's WIC coordinator
Report lost or stolen WIC Cards immediately (1-844-4MY-FAMILY or 1-844-469-3264)

Additional WIC Services

Nutrition Education

WIC provides nutrition education through:

One-on-one counseling with nutritionists
Group classes on topics like healthy eating during pregnancy, feeding picky eaters, etc.
Online education modules
Printed materials and recipes
The WIC app's nutrition resources

Breastfeeding Support

WIC strongly encourages breastfeeding and offers comprehensive support:

One-on-one counseling with lactation consultants
Peer counseling from trained mothers with breastfeeding experience
Breast pump loans (hospital-grade pumps or personal pumps)
Classes on breastfeeding techniques and challenges
Extra food benefits for breastfeeding mothers
Support for working mothers who continue breastfeeding

Health Screenings and Referrals

WIC provides health monitoring and connects families to services:

Growth monitoring for infants and children (height, weight, etc.)
Iron status assessment (hemoglobin/hematocrit test)
Immunization screening and referrals
Referrals to healthcare providers, Medi-Cal, dental services, etc.
Connection to other community resources (housing, childcare, etc.)

Maintaining WIC Eligibility

Certification Periods

WIC eligibility is certified for specific time periods:

Pregnant Women: Throughout pregnancy and up to 6 weeks postpartum
Postpartum Women (Non-Breastfeeding): Up to 6 months after delivery
Breastfeeding Women: Up to 1 year after delivery (as long as breastfeeding continues)
Infants: Up to 1 year of age
Children: 1-year certification periods until their 5th birthday

You'll need to recertify at the end of each period to continue receiving benefits.

Required Appointments

To maintain your WIC benefits, you must attend:

Certification and recertification appointments
Nutrition education appointments (may be online in some cases)
Health assessment appointments for you and/or your children

Missing appointments may result in interruption of benefits.

Reporting Changes

Report the following changes to your WIC office:

Change of address or phone number
Change in household income
Birth of your baby
Changes in breastfeeding status
Changes in custody of children
Moving to a different county or state

Special Situations

Foster Children

Foster children under 5 years old are categorically eligible for WIC
Foster parents' income is not considered
Foster parents need documentation of the child's foster status

Migrant Families

Migrant workers and their families can participate in WIC
Special provisions allow for transfer of benefits between states
Verification of identity and migrant status may be required

Special Dietary Needs

WIC can accommodate certain medical or dietary restrictions
Medical documentation may be required
Special formulas or food packages can be provided with appropriate documentation
Consult with your WIC nutritionist about special dietary needs

Transferring WIC Benefits

Within California: Contact your current WIC office before moving to facilitate the transfer
To Another State: Ask for a Verification of Certification (VOC) document to take to your new state's WIC program
Your WIC Card will only work in California - you'll need a new card if you move to another state

Rights and Responsibilities

Your Rights as a WIC Participant

Receive fair and respectful treatment
Confidentiality of your personal information
Standard eligibility guidelines regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age
Appeal decisions that you disagree with
Receive clear information about the program in your preferred language
Transfer your WIC certification if you move

Your Responsibilities

Provide accurate information
Use WIC benefits properly and as instructed
Treat WIC and store staff with respect
Attend scheduled appointments
Report changes in eligibility
Not sell or trade WIC benefits
Not simultaneously receive WIC benefits from multiple programs/states

Fair Hearing Process

If you disagree with a decision about your WIC eligibility or benefits:

Discuss the issue with your local WIC staff first
If not resolved, request a fair hearing within 60 days of the decision
You can continue receiving benefits during the appeal if you request the hearing within 15 days
A hearing will be scheduled with an impartial official
You can represent yourself or have someone represent you

Resources and Support

Contact Information

California WIC Program: 1-888-WIC-WORKS (1-888-942-9675)
WIC Card Customer Service: 1-844-4MY-FAMILY (1-844-469-3264)
Website: MyFamily.WIC.ca.gov
Email: [email protected]

Additional Resources

The WIC program provides essential support for the health and nutrition of women, infants, and children. If you think you might be eligible, don't hesitate to contact your local WIC office to learn more and apply. The program staff are dedicated to helping you access the benefits and services you need for a healthy family.