Walgreens is an approved vendor for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). WIC is a federal program that provides nutritional assistance to low-income pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, as well as infants and children up to age 5. Approved vendors must meet certain requirements, such as providing specific WIC-approved foods and having staff trained in WIC regulations. By being an approved WIC vendor, Walgreens can offer WIC recipients the opportunity to purchase WIC-approved foods using their WIC benefits. WIC participants can check with their local WIC agency for more information about participating stores and specific products covered by the program.
WIC Program Overview
The WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) Program is a nutrition assistance program that provides food, nutrition education, and other services to low-income pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, as well as children under the age of five.
- The WIC Program is available in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam.
- To be eligible for the WIC Program, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be a low-income pregnant, postpartum, or breastfeeding woman, or a child under the age of five.
- Meet the nutritional risk criteria established by the WIC Program.
- Reside in a WIC-participating state or territory.
Can I use WIC at Walgreens?
Some WIC-participating states do allow you to redeem WIC benefits at Walgreens, but the rules and availability of items may vary from one location to another. Walgreens accepts WIC in a few states, including Texas and California, but not all states.
There are many other retail stores in the United States that are WIC-approved. If you cannot use WIC at Walgreens, there are likely other WIC-approved retailers in your area.
Walgreens Store Eligibility
The WIC program is a federal program that provides supplemental food assistance to pregnant women, breastfeeding women, and children under the age of 5. WIC benefits can be used to purchase a variety of healthy foods, including fruits, vegetables, milk, and cereal.
Walgreens is a chain of retail pharmacies that operates over 9,000 stores in the United States. Some Walgreens stores are WIC-approved, meaning that they accept WIC benefits. To find out if your local Walgreens store is WIC-approved, you can call the WIC office in your state or visit the Walgreens website.
If you live in a state where WIC is accepted at Walgreens, you will need to bring your WIC card to the store when you are shopping. The cashier will scan your WIC card and the WIC benefits will be applied to your purchase.
Here is a table of the states where Walgreens accepts WIC:
| State | WIC Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Alabama | No |
| Alaska | No |
| Arizona | No |
| Arkansas | No |
| California | Yes |
| Colorado | No |
| Connecticut | Yes |
| Delaware | Yes |
| Florida | No |
| Georgia | No |
| Hawaii | No |
| Idaho | No |
| Illinois | No |
| Indiana | Yes |
| Iowa | No |
| Kansas | No |
| Kentucky | No |
| Louisiana | No |
| Maine | No |
| Maryland | Yes |
| Massachusetts | Yes |
| Michigan | No |
| Minnesota | No |
| Mississippi | No |
| Missouri | No |
| Montana | No |
| Nebraska | No |
| Nevada | No |
| New Hampshire | Yes |
| New Jersey | No |
| New Mexico | No |
| New York | Yes |
| North Carolina | No |
| North Dakota | No |
| Ohio | No |
| Oklahoma | No |
| Oregon | No |
| Pennsylvania | Yes |
| Puerto Rico | Yes |
| Rhode Island | Yes |
| South Carolina | No |
| South Dakota | No |
| Tennessee | No |
| Texas | Yes |
| Utah | No |
| Vermont | Yes |
| Virginia | No |
| Washington | No |
| West Virginia | No |
| Wisconsin | No |
| Wyoming | No |
Eligible WIC Products at Walgreens
Walgreens accepts WIC benefits and offers a wide range of WIC-eligible products to meet the nutritional needs of nursing mothers, infants, and children up to age 5. Here are the categories of WIC-eligible products available at Walgreens:
- Milk: Whole milk, 2% milk, 1% milk, nonfat milk, lactose-free milk
- Cheese: Cheddar cheese, American cheese, mozzarella cheese, Swiss cheese
- Yogurt: Plain yogurt, flavored yogurt
- Eggs: Whole eggs, Egg Beaters
- Fruits: Fresh fruits, frozen fruits, canned fruits
- Vegetables: Fresh vegetables, frozen vegetables, canned vegetables
- Whole Grains: Whole-wheat bread, brown rice, oatmeal
- Other: Infant formula, baby food, juice
To ensure you are purchasing WIC-eligible products at Walgreens, check the WIC-approved food list provided by your local WIC agency.
Specific WIC-Eligible Products at Walgreens
The following table lists specific WIC-eligible products that are commonly available at Walgreens:
| Category | Product |
|---|---|
| Milk | Horizon Organic Milk Daisy 2% Milk Great Value 1% Milk |
| Cheese | Kraft Cheddar Cheese Land O’Lakes American Cheese Sargento Mozzarella Cheese |
| Yogurt | Yoplait Plain Yogurt Dannon Flavored Yogurt Chobani Greek Yogurt |
Obtaining WIC Benefits at Walgreens
Walgreens proudly accepts WIC benefits, enabling eligible individuals and families to access essential nutritional support for mothers, infants, and children up to age five. Here’s how you can utilize WIC benefits at Walgreens:
- Enroll in WIC: Contact your local WIC clinic to determine eligibility and complete the enrollment process.
- Get a WIC Authorization: Upon enrollment, you will receive a WIC authorization card containing specific details about your authorized food purchases.
- Shop at Walgreens: Visit Walgreens locations that accept WIC benefits. Authorized items will be clearly marked with WIC labels.
- Present Your Card: At checkout, present your WIC authorization card and valid photo ID. The cashier will verify your eligibility and process the WIC-authorized purchases.
Authorized WIC Purchases at Walgreens
Walgreens offers a wide range of WIC-authorized products, including:
- Milk (whole, low-fat, skim)
- Cheese
- Yogurt
- Eggs
- Fruits and vegetables
- Whole wheat bread
- Brown rice
- Infant cereal
- Formula (for infants up to 12 months)
- Baby food (fruits, vegetables, meats)
Table of WIC-Authorized Products
| Product | Quantity per Month |
|---|---|
| Milk | 48 quarts |
| Cheese | 16 ounces |
| Yogurt | 24 cups |
| Eggs | 6 dozen |
| Fruits and vegetables | $10 per child per month |
Well, there you have it! Thanks for hanging out and reading all about whether or not Walgreens accepts WIC. We hope we were able to shed some light on the topic. If you have any more questions or just want to chat about WIC-related stuff, feel free to drop by again. We’ll be here, ready to dish out more info and helpful tips. So, stay tuned and see you next time!