My WIC

The WIC Program promotes healthy habits and healthy families. 

• Breastfeed your baby 

• Eat more fiber 

• Lower the fat 

• Eat more fruits and vegetables 

• Eat more whole grains 

• Drink less juice and sweetened beverages 

• Make family meals matter 

To help participants practice these habits, WIC provides basic nutritious foods to eligible pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, as well as infants and children. These foods are rich in protein, iron, calcium, fiber and vitamins. 

Participants use an electronic benefit transfer system (eWIC) to access food benefits at authorized retail grocery stores and pharmacies. Participants are issued an NC eWIC card at their initial visit to a local WIC clinic. In some cases, special formulas are distributed directly to the participant from the WIC local agency. 

Foods for Infants (Birth-12 Months) 

The Program strongly encourages and provides support for breastfeeding. It recognizes that breastfeeding is the best method of infant feeding and nurturing. However, formula-fed infants receive the WIC contract standard milk- and soy-based iron-fortified infant formula for the first year of life. Beginning at six months of age, infants may also receive iron-fortified infant cereal, and infant fruits and vegetables. Infants who are fully breastfed also receive infant meats. 

In some cases, infants may require a formula other than the WIC contract standard milk- or soy-based formulas. Before a WIC agency can issue any formula other than the contract standard milk- or soy-based formula, the participant must obtain a completed prescription from a physician or health care provider. However, please note that the only standard milk- or soy-based formulas provided by the NC WIC Program are those on the current contract; other standard brands are not provided.  

Foods: 

• Mother’s Breastmilk 

• Infant Formula 

• Infant Cereal 

• Infant Fruits and Vegetables 

• Infant Meats (for fully breastfed infants only) 

Foods for Women and Children 

Women and children (one to five years of age) participating in WIC receive food instruments and cash-value vouchers for a variety of healthy foods. The choices may include whole-grain cereal and bread, brown rice, whole-wheat and soft-corn tortillas; milk; cheese or tofu; eggs; peanut butter; dried or canned beans, peas or lentils; fruit or vegetable juices; and fruits and vegetables (fresh, frozen or canned). Women who exclusively breastfeed their babies receive larger quantities of foods as well as canned tuna or salmon. Special formulas or nutritional supplements are also available to women and children participants with certain medical conditions. Before a WIC agency can issue any formula or nutritional supplement, the participant must obtain a prescription from a physician or health care provider.  

Foods: 

• Milk 

• Cereal 

• Whole-grain Bread, Brown Rice, Whole-wheat and Soft-corn Tortillas 

• Fruits and Vegetables 

• Juice 

• Cheese 

• Tofu 

• Soy-Based Beverage 

• Dried or Canned Beans, Peas and Lentils 

• Peanut Butter 

• Eggs 

Additional Foods for Women Who Exclusively Breastfeed: 

• Larger quantities of the foods listed above 

• Chunk-light tuna or salmon 

Nutrition Education 

Nutrition education is a major benefit of the Program and is provided to all adults and, whenever possible, to children directly. The goals of nutrition education are: 

• To teach about the relationship between nutrition, physical activity and good health. 

• To improve the eating and physical activity habits as they relate to the participant’s nutritional risk. 

• To promote optimal use of the WIC Program’s supplemental foods, and other nutritious foods. 

• To provide nutrition education that is appropriate to an individual’s age, educational background, household situation, language, cultural and ethnic preferences, and nutritional needs. 

Referrals for Health Care 

WIC serves as an adjunct to the health care system. WIC enjoys a reciprocal relationship with the health care community, receiving referrals from private and public health care providers and providing referrals as needed for health and social services. Referrals from WIC include immunizations and substance abuse counseling and treatment. WIC encourages persons already receiving medical services to remain under their physicians' care. It also encourages individuals not receiving medical care to seek and maintain appropriate care. 

Breastfeeding Promotion and Support 

Breastfeeding promotion and support are integral parts of the WIC Program. WIC strives to increase the initiation, duration and exclusivity of breastfeeding among women enrolled in the Program. All WIC agencies have trained personnel ready to assist mothers in making informed decisions about their infant feeding choice. WIC also instructs mothers in the basics of breastfeeding. Many WIC agencies have breastfeeding peer counselor support programs that provide mother-to-mother counseling. In addition, all local WIC agencies provide breastfeeding aids such as manual and electric breast pumps. WIC offers a food package for women who exclusively breastfeed their babies. This food package adds tuna or salmon in cans or pouches, as well as additional amounts of whole grains, cereal, milk, cheese, juice, peanut butter, beans, peas and lentils.

WIC is available to pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants and children up to age five. Foster families with qualifying individuals may be eligible to receive WIC benefits. To participate, these persons must: 

• Live in North Carolina. 

• Have a family income less than 185% of the U.S. Poverty Income Guidelines. A person receiving Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or assistance from the NC Food and Nutrition Services automatically meets the income eligibility requirement. See the income eligibility chart below.

Income Eligibility Chart (Effective June 1, 2023)

• Be at nutritional risk. A nutritionist or other health professional makes the nutritional risk assessment at no cost to the participant, usually at the local WIC office. 

Pre-Screening Tool  

The WIC Prescreening Tool can help you find out if you are eligible for WIC benefits. 

To find your local WIC office and apply for the program, contact the local WIC agency that serves the residents of the county in which you live. You can: 

• Look up your local WIC agency.

• Call or text: 1-844-601-6881  Text: wic12345 (wic + your zip code)

• Fill out the WIC Referral Form.

When you go to apply for WIC, please remember to bring: 

1. Proof of identification (for all individuals applying for WIC) 

2. Proof of income (for all household members with income) 

3. Proof of residence (where you live) 

Examples of what you will need to bring: 

• Identification: (Only one is needed) - Valid driver's license, Social Security card, current work/school ID, current Medicaid card, current military ID, birth certificate, immunization record, and for infants: hospital crib card, ID bracelet or mother’s verification of facts form. 

• Residence (where you live): (Only one is needed) - Current utility bill, valid driver’s license, current Medicaid card (or presumptive eligibility form), bank statement, current rental or mortgage receipts, Division of Motor Vehicle ID card. 

• Income: Current paycheck stubs, if self-employed your recent tax return or history of earnings for the past twelve months, current Medicaid card, a letter of certification for the NC Food and Nutrition Services, a letter from your employer stating gross income and frequency of pay, unemployment letter/notice. 

To qualify for WIC, applicants must be both income eligible and have an identified medical/nutritional risk factor. These criteria will be assessed when you apply for WIC at your local WIC office. 

Enter a zip code to search for grocery stores or free-standing pharmacies in your area that accept WIC.

WIC provides quality, cost-effective care to thousands of families across North Carolina. Evidence demonstrates that women who participate in WIC have improved pregnancy outcomes, resulting in healthier babies. There are numerous benefits to women, infants and children who participate in WIC. Studies show that: 

• WIC reduces infant mortality. WIC connects pregnant women to prenatal care, provides nutritious foods and encourages health-promoting behaviors. These factors are linked to positive birth outcomes (USDA, 2012). 

• WIC saves public health care dollars. Women who participate in WIC are less likely to have pre-term or low-birth weight babies, contributing to healthier babies and reduced medical costs (Institute of Medicine, 2006). 

• WIC improves children’s health. Children who participate in WIC are more likely to receive regular preventive health services and are better immunized than other low-income children who do not participate in WIC (USDA, 2012). 

• WIC improves infant feeding practices and diet quality. WIC promotes and supports breastfeeding as the optimal infant feeding choice. In addition, revisions to the WIC Food Package have resulted in increased intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy among WIC participants (USDA, 2012; Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 2015). 

• WIC supports cognitive development. Research shows that WIC services can mitigate the harmful effects of poor nutrition during critical periods of growth and development, leading to lifelong cognitive gains (USDA, 2012). 

• WIC enhances community food environments. Revisions to the WIC Food Package, and thus changes in the foods available at WIC-authorized stores, have increased the availability of healthy foods for all individuals living in low-income communities (USDA, 2015). 

History of WIC: 

When did WIC begin nationally? In the late 1960s, during the presidency of Lyndon B. Johnson, the federal government focused a great deal of attention on helping low-income Americans. 

The 1967 National Nutrition Survey revealed that many lower income children suffered from anemia and inadequate growth. These conditions can adversely affect brain size and cognitive ability. The study showed that children got off to a poor start both physically and mentally because they didn't have enough to eat or they didn't eat the right foods. Some children also suffered because mothers did not get adequate nutrition during their pregnancies. 

In 1972, Congress passed a bill sponsored by Senator Hubert H. Humphrey (D.Minn.) to create the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. Congress funded the program for two years and put the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in charge of it. 

When Did WIC Come to NC? The first WIC offices in North Carolina opened their doors in 1974. The offices were located in Guilford County, Johnston County, Mecklenburg County, Orange County, Forsyth County, and Warren County. 

NC WIC County Directory 

Each of North Carolina's 100 counties has a WIC agency. Select a county on the map to view phone numbers and address.  

• Visit Food and Nutrition Services in North Carolina (SNAP - FNS) for more information about their program.

• Visit NC Medicaid to learn more about Medicaid, eligibility and how to apply.

• Visit NCCARE360 Resources to get connected to additional services and assistance. 

• Information for Non-Citizen Communities and FNS Programs: If you are a non-citizen, you and your family members may be eligible to participate in several programs operated by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). Immigration status does not affect your eligibility to receive WIC benefits. Participating in the program does not affect your ability to become a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, as the receipt of WIC benefits does not make you a public charge.
• The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a broadband discount program.  The ACP helps to connect families struggling to afford internet service by providing a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Qualified households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet. WIC participants are automatically eligible for the ACP. You can find more information about the program and apply here: Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).