Signing Up – What Documents Does WIC Need?

Welcome to WIC! Our WIC counselors are here to support and empower you to make healthy choices for you and your family. If you are new to the program, please watch this video.

Please prepare these required documents

Please provide the following items listed below so a WIC counselor can determine if you are eligible for WIC. If your appointment is by phone, we will text you a link to upload photos of your documents.

Examples:

  • Active Medi-Cal numbers
  • Paystub or statement from the last 30 days
  • Disability pay
  • Unemployment benefits
  • Social Security benefits
  • Other

If you do not have an income or Medi-Cal, tell your WIC counselor at your appointment.

Examples:

  • Active Medi-Cal numbers
  • Any mail
  • Any bill
  • Driver's license or ID
  • Bank statement
  • Car registration/insurance
  • Other

If you do not have proof of residency or Medi-Cal, tell your WIC counselor at your appointment.

Examples:

  • Active Medi-Cal numbers
  • Health insurance card
  • Birth certificate
  • Newborn crib card
  • Driver's license or ID
  • Car registration
  • Medical records
  • Immunization card
  • Foster child letter/placement
  • Other

This is required only if you are pregnant. It must include your first and last name.

Examples:

  • Positive pregnancy note from doctor
  • Ultrasound picture
  • Prenatal vitamin prescription
  • Other

What are the WIC income guidelines?

WIC uses gross income to determine a household’s income. Gross income is defined as total cash received by the household before taxes. To qualify for WIC, a family’s income must be less than or equal to the limit in the table below for their family size.

Families receiving Medi-Cal, CalFresh, or CalWORKS may be income-eligible for WIC.

Each foster child is counted as a family of one.

Number of Persons in FamilyMonthly Income LimitYearly Income Limit
1 Person$2,322$27,861
2 Persons$3,152$37,814
3 Persons$3,981$47,767
4 Persons$4,810$57,720
5 Persons$5,640$67,673
More than 5Add per additional member
+ $830+ $9,953
  • Income based on 185% Federal Poverty Level, effective April 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025
  •  Unborn fetuses may be counted toward household size

What if I don’t have a document?

After we complete your enrollment, you will have 30 days to provide these documents. Tell your WIC counselor during your appointment if you cannot provide a document. WIC will generally accept a sworn statement as a last resort.

What’s next?

If you qualify for WIC, you will receive a WIC card that you can use to buy food each month. The counselor will make sure you understand your benefits, ask you about your family’s health and nutrition, provide nutrition information, and connect you to other programs that you qualify for. This might be done at the same time as your eligibility assessment or at a future appointment. Welcome to WIC!

Black Maternal Health Week 2024

Every year, from April 11th to the 17th, we celebrate Black Maternal Health Week (BMHW). During this week, we come together to address the challenging issues that Black women face during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum.

This year’s theme “Our Bodies STILL Belong to Us: Reproductive Justice NOW!” aims to raise awareness of the increasing restrictions on abortion care access as well as the rise in criminalization due to pregnancy loss.

There are still significant racial disparities in maternal health outcomes, particularly affecting Black women. Regardless of income or education, Black mothers face significantly higher risks during childbirth. These challenges stem from deep-rooted issues, such as racism and bias within the healthcare system.

At PHFE WIC, we support Black Maternal Health by working alongside our sister program, CinnaMoms, which supports and creates a safe space and community for Black families to thrive. CinnaMoms hosts virtual and in-person support groups and special events every month.

Check out the events happening this month.

As we celebrate Black Maternal Health Week, remember that the fight for equity is far from over. It requires continuous commitment and action from policymakers, healthcare providers, advocates, and communities.

Check out the events happening this week and how you can get involved.

Join a WIC Group Class on Zoom!

Connect and learn with other parents from the comfort of your home or on the go at WIC online group classes. Group classes are offered in English and Spanish.

Join the class using any smart device following these 3 simple steps!

1. If you don’t already have the Zoom app on your phone or tablet, download it now. You are not required to make a Zoom account, but it’s not a problem if you already have one.

2. Find the class day and time that works best for you.

3. Click the class name at the time of the event.

Classes begin right away at their start time.

Week of Events

Weekend WIC Appointments by Phone

Many working families qualify for WIC. We offer weekend appointments by phone a few times per month to accommodate WIC families’ busy schedules.

Need to schedule a weekend WIC appointment? Text the keyword for the day you would like to schedule an appointment to 91997. A WIC counselor will call you for your phone appointment between 8:30 am – 1:00 pm on your appointment day.

Weekend Appointments Available This Month

Date
Keyword
Saturday, April 13APPT13
Saturday, April 27APPT27

Example: If you would like to be called on April 13, text APPT13 to 91997.

Questions? Text 91997!

More Families Now Qualify for WIC

Starting April 1, 2024, the income guidelines for California WIC are changing. As a result, more families will qualify for WIC and can receive healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and more.

To qualify for WIC, families must earn no more than the income limits listed below and be in a category we serve. Families and individuals may be eligible if you:

  • Have a child under the age of five
  • Are pregnant
  • Are breastfeeding a baby under the age of one
  • Had a baby within the last six months
  • Experienced a pregnancy loss/termination within the last six months

Not enrolled in WIC? Apply now! Families who previously did not qualify for WIC are encouraged to reapply again if they are within the new income limits.

Need to renew your WIC account? Text APPT with your preferred date and time to 91997 to schedule an appointment.

The new income limits are effective starting April 1, 2024. Families must make no more than the amount listed below per household size. WIC uses gross income (before taxes) to determine a household's income. Families who already receive Medi-Cal, CalFresh, or CalWORKS may already meet the income guidelines for WIC. Participating in other benefit programs does not affect the amount of WIC benefits you receive, and you may participate in multiple benefit programs at once.

Household Size**
Annual
Monthly
Twice-Monthly
Bi-Weekly
Weekly
1$27,861$2,322$1,161$1,072$536
2$37,814$3.152$1,576$1,455$728
3$47,767$3,981$1,991$1,838$919
4$57,720$4,810$2,405$2,220$1,110
5$67,673$5,640$2,820$2,603$1,302
6$77,626$6,469$3,235$2,986$1,493
7$87,579$7,299$3,650$3,369$1,685
8$97,532$8,128$4,064$3,752$1,876
More than 8Add per additional member
+$9,953+$830+$415+$383+$192
*Income based on 185% Federal Poverty Level, effective April 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025
** Unborn fetuses may be counted toward household size.

Proof of income must include your full name or the full name of the person supporting the family. Below are examples that may be used for proof of income, but are not limited to these examples. 

Examples:

  • Active Medi-Cal, CalFresh, or CalWORKs
  • Pay stub or statement from the last 30 days
  • Disability pay
  • Unemployment benefits
  • Social Security benefits
  • Income tax form/W2 
  • Alimony
  • Bank account statement (use of savings)
  • Child support
  • Foster care stipend letter
  • Student financial grants/scholarships

If you do not have a document available, you will have 30 days to provide one after we complete your enrollment. Tell your WIC counselor during your appointment if you cannot provide a document. WIC will generally accept a sworn statement as a last resort.

Your household includes related or nonrelated individuals that you live with and share an income, consumption of goods, and or/services. Your household size would include, but not be limited to:

  • Your children
  • A spouse or partner
  • Relatives you claim on your taxes

Unborn fetuses may be counted toward household size.

For foster children, the household size is one.