The US Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) offers nutritional support to low-income pregnant women, new mothers, and children under 5. WIC benefits can be used to purchase nutritious foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and milk. However, WIC benefits cannot be used in a different state. Each state has its own WIC program, and benefits are only valid within that state. If you move to a different state, you will need to apply for WIC benefits in your new state. The requirements and benefits may vary from state to state.
WIC Recertification Requirements by State
WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) is a federal program that provides food assistance to low-income pregnant women, breastfeeding women, and children under five. WIC benefits can be used to purchase healthy foods such as milk, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
WIC is administered by each state, so the requirements can vary from state to state. In general, to be eligible for WIC, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be a pregnant woman, a breastfeeding woman, or a child under five.
- Meet the income guidelines for your state.
- Live in the United States.
- Be a legal resident of the United States.
If you move to a different state, you will need to recertify for WIC in that state. The following table shows the WIC recertification requirements for each state:
| State | Recertification Requirements |
|---|---|
| Alabama | You must recertify every six months. |
| Alaska | You must recertify every 12 months. |
| Arizona | You must recertify every six months. |
| Arkansas | You must recertify every six months. |
| California | You must recertify every six months. |
| Colorado | You must recertify every six months. |
| Connecticut | You must recertify every six months. |
| Delaware | You must recertify every six months. |
| Florida | You must recertify every six months. |
| Georgia | You must recertify every six months. |
| Hawaii | You must recertify every six months. |
| Idaho | You must recertify every six months. |
| Illinois | You must recertify every six months. |
| Indiana | You must recertify every six months. |
| Iowa | You must recertify every six months. |
| Kansas | You must recertify every six months. |
| Kentucky | You must recertify every six months. |
| Louisiana | You must recertify every six months. |
| Maine | You must recertify every six months. |
| Maryland | You must recertify every six months. |
| Massachusetts | You must recertify every six months. |
| Michigan | You must recertify every six months. |
| Minnesota | You must recertify every six months. |
| Mississippi | You must recertify every six months. |
| Missouri | You must recertify every six months. |
| Montana | You must recertify every six months. |
| Nebraska | You must recertify every six months. |
| Nevada | You must recertify every six months. |
| New Hampshire | You must recertify every six months. |
| New Jersey | You must recertify every six months. |
| New Mexico | You must recertify every six months. |
| New York | You must recertify every six months. |
| North Carolina | You must recertify every six months. |
| North Dakota | You must recertify every six months. |
| Ohio | You must recertify every six months. |
| Oklahoma | You must recertify every six months. |
| Oregon | You must recertify every six months. |
| Pennsylvania | You must recertify every six months. |
| Rhode Island | You must recertify every six months. |
| South Carolina | You must recertify every six months. |
| South Dakota | You must recertify every six months. |
| Tennessee | You must recertify every six months. |
| Texas | You must recertify every six months. |
| Utah | You must recertify every six months. |
| Vermont | You must recertify every six months. |
| Virginia | You must recertify every six months. |
| Washington | You must recertify every six months. |
| West Virginia | You must recertify every six months. |
| Wisconsin | You must recertify every six months. |
| Wyoming | You must recertify every six months. |
Eligibility for WIC Benefits Across State Lines
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is a federal program that provides nutrition assistance to low-income pregnant women, new mothers, and children under the age of 5. WIC benefits include supplemental food, nutrition education, and access to healthcare services.
WIC benefits are available in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. However, the specific eligibility requirements and benefits vary from state to state. This means that you may not be eligible for WIC benefits in a different state, even if you were eligible in your previous state.
Factors that Affect WIC Eligibility Across State Lines
- Income
- Age
- Nutritional need
- Residency
Income
To be eligible for WIC benefits, you must meet the income guidelines for your state. The income guidelines vary from state to state, so you will need to check with your local WIC office to see if you qualify.
Age
To be eligible for WIC benefits, you must be a pregnant woman, a new mother, or a child under the age of 5. The age requirements vary from state to state, so you will need to check with your local WIC office to see if you qualify.
Nutritional Need
To be eligible for WIC benefits, you must have a nutritional need. This means that you or your child is at risk for malnutrition. The nutritional need requirements vary from state to state, so you will need to check with your local WIC office to see if you qualify.
Residency
To be eligible for WIC benefits, you must reside in the state where you are applying. This means that you must have a permanent address in the state. The residency requirements vary from state to state, so you will need to check with your local WIC office to see if you qualify.
What to Do If You Move to a New State
If you move to a new state, you will need to reapply for WIC benefits. You can find your local WIC office by visiting the WIC website or by calling 1-800-357-2532.
When you reapply for WIC benefits, you will need to provide proof of income, age, nutritional need, and residency. You may also need to provide proof of your child’s immunization status.
Once you have reapplied for WIC benefits, your eligibility will be determined by the WIC office in your new state. If you are eligible, you will receive a new WIC card that you can use to purchase food and other WIC-approved items.
Table of WIC Eligibility Requirements by State
| State | Income Guidelines | Age Requirements | Nutritional Need Requirements | Residency Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 185% of the federal poverty level | Pregnant women, new mothers, and children under the age of 5 | At risk for malnutrition | Must reside in Alabama |
| Alaska | 200% of the federal poverty level | Pregnant women, new mothers, and children under the age of 5 | At risk for malnutrition | Must reside in Alaska |
| Arizona | 185% of the federal poverty level | Pregnant women, new mothers, and children under the age of 5 | At risk for malnutrition | Must reside in Arizona |
| Arkansas | 185% of the federal poverty level | Pregnant women, new mothers, and children under the age of 5 | At risk for malnutrition | Must reside in Arkansas |
| California | 200% of the federal poverty level | Pregnant women, new mothers, and children under the age of 5 | At risk for malnutrition | Must reside in California |
Acceptable Forms of Identification for Out-of-State WIC
If you need to use your WIC benefits in a different state, you will need to provide proof of identity and proof of residency. Acceptable forms of identification include:
- Driver’s license or ID card
- Birth certificate
- Social Security card
- Passport
- Tribal ID card
- Medical card
For proof of residency, you can provide a utility bill, a lease agreement, or a letter from a homeless shelter or other social service agency.
| State | Acceptable Forms of Identification |
|---|---|
| Alabama |
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| Alaska |
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| Arizona |
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Temporary WIC Assistance in Emergency Situations
If you are displaced from your home due to an emergency, such as a natural disaster, you may be eligible for temporary WIC assistance in a different state.
To receive temporary WIC assistance, you must:
- Be a US citizen or a legal resident alien
- Have a low income
- Be pregnant, breastfeeding, or have children under the age of 5
- Be living in the state where you are applying for assistance
To apply for temporary WIC assistance, you will need to contact the WIC agency in the state where you are living.
The WIC agency will ask you for proof of your identity, income, and residency. You will also need to provide proof of your pregnancy or breastfeeding status, or proof that you have children under the age of 5.
If you are eligible for temporary WIC assistance, you will be issued a WIC card. You can use the WIC card to purchase WIC-approved foods at authorized grocery stores.
Temporary WIC assistance will end when you are able to return to your home state or when you no longer meet the eligibility requirements.
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| US citizen or legal resident alien | You must be a US citizen or a legal resident alien to receive WIC assistance. |
| Low income | Your income must be at or below 185% of the federal poverty level. |
| Pregnant, breastfeeding, or have children under the age of 5 | You must be pregnant, breastfeeding, or have children under the age of 5 to receive WIC assistance. |
| Living in the state where you are applying for assistance | You must be living in the state where you are applying for assistance to receive WIC assistance. |
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