Women, Infants and Children (WIC)

- What is WIC?
- Who administers WIC In Minnesota?
- Who is eligible for WIC?
- What is Adjunct Income Eligibility?
- What is Presumptive Income Eligibility?
- Can I apply to WIC directly without being enrolled in another program?
- Are there any other eligibility requirements?
- Who can apply for the WIC Program?
- How do I apply for WIC?
- What happens at my WIC certification appointment?
- What do I need to bring to the WIC Certification Appointment?
- Do I need to renew my WIC eligibility?
- How long can I receive WIC benefits?
- What foods can I purchase with my WIC vouchers?
- How do I use my WIC Card?
- What information about citizenship status is needed?
The program is administered by the Minnesota Department of Health.
WIC is for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or recently had a baby. It is also for infants or children under age 5. Those who fall into these qualifying groups are eligible for WIC if they have a nutritional and/or medical need and if they meet the WIC income guidelines or are enrolled in a program that qualifies under Adjunct Income Eligibility.
Or, if you or a family member is currently receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Medical Assistance - TEFRA, the person receiving these benefits is income eligible for the WIC Program.
Only those family members in the qualifying groups (see question #3) will receive the benefits.
Apply for WIC online or call your county or Tribal WIC agency to schedule a Certification Appointment. You must come in person and bring required documents and all children up to age five to complete your enrollment. You can find a WIC clinic near you on the Minnesota WIC website and call to schedule an appointment
During your appointment, you and/or your child will have a nutrition assessment including a measurement of weight, height, and hemoglobin (a quick finger stick). You will talk with a WIC educator about good nutrition and healthy eating, breastfeeding and any special nutrition and health concerns your family might have. If you are found eligible for WIC benefits, you will receive WIC vouchers to purchase healthy foods for you and/or your child. You will also make another appointment to come back in 1-3 months for nutrition counseling based on the nutrition assessment and to pick up more vouchers.
Providing you continue to meet the income eligibility guidelines and schedule your WIC appointments, pregnant women can receive WIC benefits for up to six months after the birth of their baby or up to a year if they are breastfeeding. Children can remain on the program until their fifth birthday.
Download the My Minnesota WIC App or view the online shopping guide to find out which foods you can purchase using your WIC card. WIC allows you to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, cereals, peanut butter, beans, milk, juice, soy products, and infant foods. Food choices and amounts vary depending on whether there is a pregnant woman, a breastfeeding woman, an infant, or a child up to age five in the household. Learn more about shopping for WIC foods on the Minnesota WIC website.
You’ll receive a WIC card to use to purchase food at a WIC-authorized store. Find a store near you using the search option on the Minnesota WIC grocery store webpage. You’ll receive current and future food benefits on the same WIC card. Benefits last for 30 days. You don’t have to buy all your WIC foods at once; you can purchase them throughout the 30 days. Unused items do not carry over to the following month. There are guides to using your Minnesota WIC card and tips for buying WIC-approved foods on the Minnesota WIC website.