A WIC card, or Women, Infants, and Children card, is a government-issued card that provides financial assistance to low-income pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, as well as children under the age of 5. The card can be used to purchase a variety of healthy foods, including fruits and vegetables, milk, cheese, eggs, yogurt, cereal, and whole-wheat bread. WIC cards can also be used to purchase infant formula and baby food. By providing access to nutritious foods, WIC helps to ensure that women and children have the resources they need to stay healthy and thrive.
What Can You Buy With A WIC Card
The WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) program is a federal assistance program that provides food and nutrition support to low-income pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, and to children under the age of five. WIC cards can be used to purchase a variety of authorized food items at WIC-approved grocery stores and farmers markets.
Authorized Food Items
- Fruits and vegetables
- Whole grains
- Milk
- Cheese
- Yogurt
- Eggs
- Peanut butter
- Canned fish
- Infant formula
- Baby food
Specific Food Groups
| Food Group | Authorized Items |
|---|---|
| Fruits and vegetables | Fresh, frozen, or canned fruits and vegetables; 100% fruit juice |
| Whole grains | Whole-wheat bread, pasta, rice, oatmeal, and tortillas |
| Milk | Milk, soy milk, or lactose-free milk |
| Cheese | Natural or processed cheese |
| Yogurt | Plain or flavored yogurt |
| Eggs | Fresh or frozen eggs |
| Peanut butter | Peanut butter, almond butter, or sunflower seed butter |
| Canned fish | Canned salmon, tuna, or sardines |
| Infant formula | Iron-fortified infant formula |
| Baby food | Canned or jarred baby food |
Restrictions and Limitations of WIC Cards
WIC cards, issued by the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), provide access to a specific range of food items to support the nutritional needs of eligible participants. However, certain restrictions and limitations apply to WIC purchases:
Food Category Restrictions
- WIC cards cannot be used to purchase all food items.
- Eligible food categories include fruits and vegetables, whole grains, dairy products, and protein sources (e.g., beans, eggs, peanut butter).
- Beverages, such as sodas or fruit juices, are not covered by WIC.
- Convenience foods, processed snacks, or fast food items are generally ineligible.
- WIC cards may impose quantity limits on certain food items.
- These limits are designed to ensure that participants receive a sufficient amount of essential nutrients while avoiding waste.
- For example, a WIC card may provide a maximum of 4 gallons of milk per month for a toddler.
- WIC cards can only be used at authorized WIC vendors.
- These vendors must meet specific requirements and have been approved by the WIC program.
- Participants cannot use WIC cards at regular grocery stores or online retailers.
- WIC eligibility is based on income and nutritional risk factors.
- To qualify, participants must meet income thresholds and demonstrate a nutritional need.
- Income eligibility guidelines vary depending on family size and state of residence.
- Fruits and vegetables
- Whole grains
- Low-fat milk
- Yogurt
- Cheese
- Eggs
- Peanut butter
- Iron-fortified infant formula
Quantity Limits
Vendor Restrictions
Income Eligibility
What Can You Buy with a WIC Card?
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is a federal program that provides supplemental food, such as healthy groceries, to low-income pregnant and postpartum women, and children under the age of 5. While the exact items available may vary slightly from state to state, some common WIC-approved foods include:
In addition to the foods listed above, WIC also provides vouchers for infant cereal and baby food.
Eligibility Requirements
| Category | Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|
| Pregnant women | Must be income-eligible and have a nutritional risk, such as anemia or low birth weight. |
| Postpartum women | Must be income-eligible and have an infant under 6 months old. |
| Infants | Must be under 1 year old and meet the income eligibility criteria or have a nutritional risk. |
| Children | Must be between 1 and 5 years old and meet the income eligibility criteria or have a nutritional risk. To apply for WIC, contact your local WIC office. You will need to provide proof of income, residency, and your child’s age and health status. : ίος ς. |