Welcome to WIC
We’re glad you’re here, and we want you to have a great experience using your WIC benefits! The easy tips below will help you get off to a great start.
Know Your Rights and Responsibilities
What questions do you have about your WIC Rights and Responsibilities?
Key Takeaways
WIC foods are for WIC participants only
Do not sell, trade, or attempt to sell or trade your WIC benefits, food or infant formula, in person, in print, or online
(For phone/video appointments): Your WIC counselor can sign on your behalf in you verbally agreed to everything you read.
I have read this entire document. I have been advised of my rights and responsibilities while on the program. All questions I had (if any) have been answered to my satisfaction. I certify that the information I have provided is true and correct, to the best of my knowledge
Families Grow Healthy with WIC
WIC counselors are here to support and empower you to raise a healthy family.
Children are eligible for WIC until they turn 5 years old, and postpartum parents are eligible for WIC for six to twelve months after giving birth.
As part of WIC, you have access to nutritious foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals.
WIC offers in-person and remote services. When scheduling your next appointment, let us know what you prefer!
Remember, you do have the option to add a caretaker to your file. A caretaker is a person you choose who can go to your WIC appointments and shop for you. Just let us know when you would like to add anyone else to the file.
Learn about what to expect throughout your WIC journey.
With WIC, you’ll meet with a nutritionist each trimester to create a personalized care plan that fits your needs. Throughout your pregnancy, we’ll be here to support you with guidance on healthy eating, managing symptoms, exploring feeding options for your baby, understanding your baby’s needs, and more. We’ll also help you get comfortable using your WIC card and the California WIC app, and connect you to helpful resources along the way.
Between your one-on-one visits with your WIC counselor, you’ll need to complete quick and simple nutrition classes. You can join a live session on Zoom with other parents or take it at your own pace through wichealth.org. Your WIC counselor will be happy to help you register. Be sure to also explore Health eKitchen for easy, delicious recipes using your WIC foods!
After your baby is born, we can enroll them in person at a WIC office—checking their height and weight and offering breastfeeding support—or complete the enrollment by video, or phone at 888-942-2229. You can also text 91997 to schedule your appointment.
After your baby is born, add them to your WIC account by phone, video, or at your local WIC office to start receiving all the great benefits WIC has to offer. We’re here to support your baby’s healthy start and your transition into parenthood.
During your one-on-one appointments with a WIC counselor, you’ll get personalized guidance on bonding with your newborn, adjusting to life at home, and feeding—whether you're breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, or both. You'll also learn what to expect in the months ahead.
Our team—including WIC counselors, registered dietitian nutritionists, breastfeeding peer counselors, and lactation consultants—is here to make sure you have the support you need to feed your baby. WIC offers one-on-one breastfeeding support, free electric breast pumps, access to our infant feeding helpline, and virtual breastfeeding support groups on Zoom.
Between appointments, you may be asked to take a nutrition education class. Choose from live Zoom sessions with other parents or self-paced lessons at wichealth.org. Be sure to also explore Health eKitchen for easy, delicious recipes using your WIC foods!
As your child grows, WIC is here to support their nutrition every step of the way. We’ll ask you to renew your child’s WIC account once a year. This can be done in person at your local WIC office, over video, or by phone at 888-942-2229. During your appointment, you'll learn about the right types and amounts of food for your child’s age. It’s also a great time to share what’s going well and talk with your WIC counselor about any questions or challenges you may have about your child’s eating or growth.
Between your one-on-one visits with your WIC counselor, you'll need to complete a quick and simple nutrition class—either live on Zoom with other parents or at your own pace at wichealth.org. Your WIC counselor can help you get started.
Be sure to also explore Health eKitchen for easy, delicious recipes using your WIC foods!
With WIC, you’ll meet with a nutritionist each trimester to create a personalized care plan that fits your needs. Throughout your pregnancy, we’ll be here to support you with guidance on healthy eating, managing symptoms, exploring feeding options for your baby, understanding your baby’s needs, and more. We’ll also help you get comfortable using your WIC card and the California WIC app, and connect you to helpful resources along the way.
Between your one-on-one visits with your WIC counselor, you’ll need to complete quick and simple nutrition classes. You can join a live session on Zoom with other parents or take it at your own pace through wichealth.org. Your WIC counselor will be happy to help you register. Be sure to also explore Health eKitchen for easy, delicious recipes using your WIC foods!
After your baby is born, we can enroll them in person at a WIC office—checking their height and weight and offering breastfeeding support—or complete the enrollment by video, or phone at 888-942-2229. You can also text 91997 to schedule your appointment.
After your baby is born, add them to your WIC account by phone, video, or at your local WIC office to start receiving all the great benefits WIC has to offer. We’re here to support your baby’s healthy start and your transition into parenthood.
During your one-on-one appointments with a WIC counselor, you’ll get personalized guidance on bonding with your newborn, adjusting to life at home, and feeding—whether you're breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, or both. You'll also learn what to expect in the months ahead.
Our team—including WIC counselors, registered dietitian nutritionists, breastfeeding peer counselors, and lactation consultants—is here to make sure you have the support you need to feed your baby. WIC offers one-on-one breastfeeding support, free electric breast pumps, access to our infant feeding helpline, and virtual breastfeeding support groups on Zoom.
Between appointments, you may be asked to take a nutrition education class. Choose from live Zoom sessions with other parents or self-paced lessons at wichealth.org. Be sure to also explore Health eKitchen for easy, delicious recipes using your WIC foods!
As your child grows, WIC is here to support their nutrition every step of the way. We’ll ask you to renew your child’s WIC account once a year. This can be done in person at your local WIC office, over video, or by phone at 888-942-2229. During your appointment, you'll learn about the right types and amounts of food for your child’s age. It’s also a great time to share what’s going well and talk with your WIC counselor about any questions or challenges you may have about your child’s eating or growth.
Between your one-on-one visits with your WIC counselor, you'll need to complete a quick and simple nutrition class—either live on Zoom with other parents or at your own pace at wichealth.org. Your WIC counselor can help you get started.
Be sure to also explore Health eKitchen for easy, delicious recipes using your WIC foods!
Ask WIC for Referrals
WIC can connect you to more programs and services such as:
- CalFresh
- CalWORKs
- Medi-Cal
- Child Support
- Immunizations
- Child Health & Disability Prevention
- Prevention and Treatment Programs and more
WIC Authorized Foods
You will see foods in your WIC app Food Balance after your first appointment. You can tap on each food category to see a full list of brands and amounts you CAN and CANNOT buy.
If you do not wish to download the WIC app, you can see the full list of WIC Authorized Foods here.
The WIC Food list includes fruits and vegetables, milk, eggs, beans, peanut butter, juice, cheese, yogurt, canned fish, baby food, infant WIC-approved cereal, WIC baby formula, and whole-grain foods like rice, bread, cereal, tortillas, and pasta.
Every month, WIC families receive a cash value for fruits and vegetables as part of their WIC food package.
- $26 each month for children ages 1-4
- $47 each month if you’re pregnant or had a baby less than 6 months ago
- $52 each month if you’re breastfeeding or chestfeeding a baby under 1 year old
Buy all of your WIC foods every month. Foods for every family member signed up for WIC are loaded onto your card and listed together on the Food Balance screen in the WIC app. Food benefits are available for 30 days every month. Check the dates at the top of the Food Balance screen to find the first and last days to use your food benefits.
Shopping with Your WIC Card
Check for stores that accept WIC near you using the WIC Grocers button on the WIC App or the WIC Grocers locator.
Take your WIC card to the grocery store.
Look for the WIC logo on store shelves to help you easily find WIC-approved foods. Sometimes WIC-approved foods don’t have a WIC logo, so use the barcode scanner in your app to check.
Tell the cashier right away that you are using your WIC card and separate your WIC foods from your other foods. It’s easier if you use your WIC card and enter your PIN before paying for other groceries. Remember to use your WIC card first, then your CalFresh card if you have one.
You can give your card and PIN to a trusted family member or friend to shop for you. It’s great to have a support system! They can download the app and log in using your information to see the food balance (or, try texting them screenshots of your WIC Food Balance screen).
Understand your WIC foods in ounces and how to shop with your WIC card. Use this guide to help you purchase the right amount of foods issued in ounces to get the most from your benefits.
Call the Shopper Support line at 1-800-852-5770 if you are having difficulties purchasing WIC foods at the store you can also call the 24/7 Customer Service Hotline 1-844-4MY-FAMILY (1-844-469-3264)
Activate Your WIC Card
Use your WIC card every time you shop for your WIC foods!
Call 1-844-469-3264 (It’s on the back of your card) to set up a 4-digit PIN. Make sure it is a PIN that you will remember! Do not share it with grocery store staff. If you forget your PIN, you can reset it anytime by calling the number on the back of your card.
Keep your WIC card in a safe place. Do not throw it away. It’s reusable! Your benefits will be added to the same card every month.
Text LOST CARD to 91997 if your WIC card is lost, stolen, or damaged to order a replacement. We’ll mail a new WIC card to you.
This 8-minute video shows you how to use your card at the store!
Download the WIC App
Everything you need to know about your WIC benefits can be found in one easy place: the California WIC app!
Register with your WIC card number, date of birth, and zip code to connect the app to your WIC account.
The Food Balance screen shows which foods are available to you in the current month and which foods are available in future months. Remember to shop for all of your foods every month!
Use the WIC Food Scan to quickly scan barcodes as you shop. It will tell you if a food is WIC-approved and in your food balance.
Use the WIC Grocers button to find stores near you that take the WIC card. You might be surprised that some of your favorite stores accept WIC! (This is a great tool to use when you go out of town. Don’t forget, you can use your card all over California.)
Use these buttons to download the app to your phone
We’re glad you’re here and we care about your WIC experience.
Text us at 91997 or call (888) 942-2229 for additional support.
Let’s Review!
Some ways to find your WIC food balance include:
- CA WIC App
- Call the toll-free number on the back of your WIC Card at 1-844-4MY-FAMILY (1-844-469-3264)
- Ask WIC or a store cashier for a print-out
- Some stores may include food balances on the receipt
Using the CA WIC App for the first and last days to use your WIC benefits at the top of the Food Balance Benefits screen.
- The types of cereal to buy can be found on the WIC Shopping Guide, or using the CA WIC App and tapping on the cereal tile/box for more information.
- You can scan the UPC barcode with the camera of your Smartphone to see if the food item is WIC authorized and on your WIC Food Balance
Some ways to find your WIC food balance include:
- CA WIC App
- Call the toll-free number on the back of your WIC Card at 1-844-4MY-FAMILY (1-844-469-3264)
- Ask WIC or a store cashier for a print-out
- Some stores may include food balances on the receipt
Using the CA WIC App for the first and last days to use your WIC benefits at the top of the Food Balance Benefits screen.
- The types of cereal to buy can be found on the WIC Shopping Guide, or using the CA WIC App and tapping on the cereal tile/box for more information.
- You can scan the UPC barcode with the camera of your Smartphone to see if the food item is WIC authorized and on your WIC Food Balance
What questions do you have about shopping with your WIC card?
Sign Up for wichealth.org
Along with free foods, WIC gives parents the information they need to raise a healthy family. One-on-one WIC appointments are at least twice per year with a nutrition counselor who will ask about your family’s health. They will answer your questions about feeding your kids and make sure you have all the resources you need.
Sign up for wichealth.org today to access quick and helpful online nutrition lessons about pregnancy, breastfeeding, and raising kids who love healthy foods.
In between your appointments with your nutrition counselor, your other appointments can be done on wichealth.org.
Or join a WIC group class on Zoom! Go to www.phfewic.org/group to join an upcoming class with other parents.
Check out wichealth.org’s Health eKitchen for hundreds of recipes you’ll love making with your foods from WIC!
Stay Up-To-Date with WIC!
Find the latest WIC news on phfewic.org and @phfewic on social media.
Don’t miss a WIC text message from 91997! We’ll send you alerts about upcoming appointments, reminders to spend your benefits, and more.
Helpful Info
Check your WIC food balance: 1-844-469-3264
Find a WIC-authorized grocery store
WIC Card Shopper Support line: 1-800-852-5770
PHFE WIC Infant Feeding Helpline: 1-888-278-6455
Download the free CA WIC app (iPhone) (Android)
Set Up the CA WIC app (iPhone) (Android)
Watch a video about the California WIC Card
Find helpful Family Resources
PHFE WIC
Text: 91997
(888) 942-2229
www.phfewic.org
Let’s stay connected! Follow @phfewic on social media for the latest WIC news.
