WIC card and benefit security is critical for ensuring participants can successfully obtain their supplemental foods and for protecting the integrity of taxpayer dollars. As program partners, we seek to work with state leaders to take actions to increase card security, safeguard participants’ benefits, and prevent or reduce fraud.
Under the leadership of President Trump and Secretary Rollins, we have an opportunity to leverage the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) to Make America Healthy Again.
This toolkit is intended to help state agencies create easy-to-use online applications that eligible people can use to start the certification process for WIC.
Starting small reduces the traditional risks in launching new software. This article contains steps to consider when planning how to “start small” with an online application.
One critical step in setting up an online WIC application is deciding what software to use. The features recommended in this article are based on market research; a review of all existing WIC online applications; and interviews with state agency staff, local agency staff, and people eligible for WIC about their online application needs.
WIC state agencies can use this toolkit as a resource as they develop their online WIC applications.
WIC is the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children. WIC provides nutritious foods (primarily through retail grocery stores), nutrition counseling, and referrals to health care and social services.
We are recommending science-based updates to the food provided to WIC participants to best meet their nutritional needs and foster healthy growth and development.
You may be eligible now even if you weren't before. WIC is by your side when your family is growing or your situation has changed. Many life changes – from having a baby or becoming a foster parent to experiencing income changes – can affect eligibility.
Pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women, infants, and children up to age 5 are eligible. They must meet income guidelines, a state residency requirement, and be individually determined to be at "nutritional risk" by a health professional.