How does Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children work?

WIC staff will talk to you and determine which food packages are right for you and your children. The New York State WIC Acceptable Foods Guide lists the food you can buy using WIC. NYS WIC participants can buy food using an Electronic Benefits Transfer card called eWIC . It’s like a debit card and makes food shopping easier for WIC families. Food must be bought at stores that accept WIC. If you choose not to breastfeed, your infant will be provided one of the formulas on the New York State WIC Approved Formulas list. You do not need to be a US citizen to receive WIC.

Am I eligible for Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children?

You or your child may be eligible if you can answer yes to these questions: Are you one of these? pregnant a mother of a baby up to six months a breastfeeding mother of a baby up to 12 months old a parent or caregiver of a child up to age five Do you live in New York State? If you already receive SNAP, Medicaid, or TANF benefits, you may be eligible for WIC.

How do I Apply to Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children?

Find your local WIC agency , or call the Growing Up Healthy Hotline at 800-522-5006 and ask for the location nearest to you. Call the WIC agency where you wish to receive services and make an appointment. Refer to this document of records to bring to your appointment The WIC agency will tell you if you need to bring this WIC Medical Referral Form completed by your health care provider. If your child has special dietary needs, your health care provider may provide a completed Medical Documentation Form for you to bring. A qualified WIC staff member will complete a short assessment during your appointment for all family members applying for WIC. This screening includes a finger stick blood test, height and weight, and a discussion of your health and nutrition concerns. Each person applying for WIC must be present at the local agency at the time of certification.

Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

1. How it Works

WIC provides free healthy food and services to low-income women and their children, including nutrition counseling, breastfeeding support, health education, and referrals to other programs and services.

WIC staff will talk to you and determine which food packages are right for you and your children.
- The New York State WIC Acceptable Foods Guide lists the food you can buy using WIC.
- NYS WIC participants can buy food using an Electronic Benefits Transfer card called eWIC. It’s like a debit card and makes food shopping easier for WIC families.
- Food must be bought at stores that accept WIC.
- If you choose not to breastfeed, your infant will be provided one of the formulas on the New York State WIC Approved Formulas list.
You do not need to be a US citizen to receive WIC.

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2. Determine Your Eligibility

2. Determine your eligibility

You or your child may be eligible if you can answer yes to these questions:

Are you one of these?
- pregnant
- a mother of a baby up to six months
- a breastfeeding mother of a baby up to 12 months old
- a parent or caregiver of a child up to age five
Do you live in New York State?

If you already receive SNAP, Medicaid, or TANF benefits, you may be eligible for WIC.

Take a short survey to see if you might be eligible for this or 30 other programs.

Am I Eligible?

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3. What You Need to Include

3. What you need to include

It’s important to include the right documents when you apply. Your documents show whether the program is right for you.

This page can help you choose the right documents for your application.

For each person applying, any one document:

Driver license or official photo I.D.
Birth certificate (original or certified copy)
Work I.D. with photo
Passport
Social Security Card for dependents
Social Security Card or ITIN
Medicaid card
Official birth records
Official school records
Adoption record or foster care placement letter (for infants/children only)
Baptismal certificate or another religious certificate (for infants/children only)
SNAP card with photo
Immunization record (for infants and children)
Voter registration card
WIC Medical referral form (for infants or children only)

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4. How to Apply

4. How to apply

Here are your options.

Find your local WIC agency, or call the Growing Up Healthy Hotline at 800-522-5006 and ask for the location nearest to you.
Call the WIC agency where you wish to receive services and make an appointment.
Refer to this document of records to bring to your appointment
- The WIC agency will tell you if you need to bring this WIC Medical Referral Form completed by your health care provider.
- If your child has special dietary needs, your health care provider may provide a completed Medical Documentation Form for you to bring.
A qualified WIC staff member will complete a short assessment during your appointment for all family members applying for WIC. This screening includes a finger stick blood test, height and weight, and a discussion of your health and nutrition concerns.
Each person applying for WIC must be present at the local agency at the time of certification.

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Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) | NYS Department of Health (NYSDOH)

1. How it Works

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More ways to get help with this program

2. Determine your eligibility

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3. What you need to include

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4. How to apply

Here are your options.

More ways to get help with this program

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