WIC (Women, Infants, and Children), a food assistance program that provides supplemental food and nutrition education to low-income pregnant women, new mothers, and children under 5, generally cannot be used outside the state where it was issued. The benefits are managed by each state, so they may have different policies regarding using WIC out of state. However, some states may allow temporary out-of-state benefits for WIC participants who are traveling or living temporarily in another state. To find out if out-of-state WIC benefits are available, the participant should contact the WIC agency in the state they will be visiting or temporarily residing in.
Using WIC In-State vs Out-of-State
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is a federally funded program that provides nutritional assistance to low-income pregnant women, postpartum women, and children up to age 5. WIC benefits can be used to purchase a variety of healthy foods, including fruits, vegetables, milk, and cheese.
Generally, WIC benefits can only be used in the state in which they are issued. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, WIC benefits can be used out-of-state if the participant is:
- Temporarily traveling out-of-state for medical care or other reasons
- Moving out-of-state and has not yet established residency in the new state
- Living in a border county and shopping in a neighboring state
If you are eligible for WIC and plan to use your benefits out-of-state, you should contact your local WIC office to get a referral to a WIC vendor in the state you will be visiting. You will also need to provide proof of your eligibility, such as a WIC ID card or a letter from your healthcare provider.
The following table summarizes the rules for using WIC benefits out-of-state:
| Situation | Can WIC benefits be used out-of-state? |
|---|---|
| Temporarily traveling out-of-state for medical care or other reasons | Yes |
| Moving out-of-state and has not yet established residency in the new state | Yes |
| Living in a border county and shopping in a neighboring state | Yes |
| All other situations | No |
WIC Program Availability Outside Home State
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides nutrition assistance to low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age 5. WIC benefits can be used to purchase healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, milk, and cheese.
In general, WIC benefits can only be used in the state where they are issued. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, WIC benefits can be used out of state if the participant is:
- Traveling for medical care
- Temporarily living in another state for work or school
- In the military and stationed in another state
To use WIC benefits out of state, the participant must first contact their local WIC agency. The WIC agency will provide the participant with a letter of authorization that can be used to purchase food at WIC-authorized stores in the other state.
The following table summarizes the rules for using WIC benefits out of state:
| Situation | Can WIC benefits be used out of state? |
|---|---|
| Traveling for medical care | Yes |
| Temporarily living in another state for work or school | Yes |
| In the military and stationed in another state | Yes |
| Other situations | No |
## WIC Benefits Transfer for Out-of-State Residents
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is a federal program that provides nutrition assistance to low-income pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, as well as infants and children up to age 5. WIC benefits typically include vouchers for healthy foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and milk. In most cases, WIC benefits can only be used within the state where the participant resides.
However, there are some exceptions to this rule. WIC benefits can be transferred to another state if:
- The participant is moving to a new state.
- The participant is temporarily living in a different state.
- The participant is an active military member who is stationed in a different state.
To transfer WIC benefits to another state, the participant must contact their local WIC agency and request a transfer. The WIC agency will then issue a transfer letter, which the participant can use to obtain WIC benefits in the new state. The transfer letter will typically include the following information:
- The participant’s name
- The participant’s WIC ID number
- The amount of WIC benefits that are being transferred
- The name and address of the WIC agency in the new state
The participant must present the transfer letter to the WIC agency in the new state in order to obtain WIC benefits. The WIC agency will then issue the participant a new WIC card, which can be used to purchase WIC-eligible foods.
It is important to note that WIC benefits cannot be transferred between different types of WIC agencies. For example, WIC benefits that are issued by a local health department cannot be transferred to a WIC agency that is operated by a community action agency.
Table: WIC Benefit Transfer Process
| Step | Action |
|—|—|
| 1 | Contact your local WIC agency and request a transfer. |
| 2 | The WIC agency will issue a transfer letter. |
| 3 | Present the transfer letter to the WIC agency in the new state. |
| 4 | The WIC agency will issue a new WIC card. |
| 5 | Use the WIC card to purchase WIC-eligible foods. |
Locating WIC Providers in New Locations
If you’re moving to a new state, you can continue to receive WIC benefits by:
- Contacting the WIC program in your new state.
- Providing them with your WIC ID number and proof of identity.
- Scheduling an appointment to update your information and receive a new WIC card.
You can find contact information for WIC programs in each state at the following website:
| State | Website |
|---|---|
| Alabama | https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/wic/ |
| Alaska | https://dhss.alaska.gov/dph/wic/ |
| Arizona | https://www.azdhs.gov/phs/nutrition-services/wic-program/index.php |
| Arkansas | https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/topics/wic |
| California | https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CEH/DFDCS/Pages/wic.aspx |
Alright, folks, that’s about all we have time for today. Remember, whether you’re using WIC in-state or out, it’s there to help you and your little ones stay healthy and happy. Thanks for reading, and be sure to swing by again soon for more WIC wisdom. Take care now!