The California WIC Card
WIC food benefits are added each month onto a reusable California WIC card. All family benefits are combined on one card which works like a debit card. To make shopping even easier, download the California WIC App to get all the information you need.
Getting Started with your WIC Card
Families who qualify for WIC will receive a WIC card by mail or can pick one up at their local WIC office.
Families can shop at WIC-authorized grocery stores using the magnetic stripe on the back. The QR code in front allows families to shop for their fruit and vegetable benefits at WIC-approved farmers’ markets. You can shop for all of your foods at once or just a few at a time.
Watch the Video
The WIC Card Video will show you how to use your new WIC card, check your food balance, and shop with ease.
Think of a PIN
Before shopping, choose a 4-digit PIN that’s easy for you to remember but hard for others to guess. If you enter the wrong PIN three times, your card will lock until midnight.
Need Help with Your WIC Card?
WIC Card Support: (844) 469-3264
WIC Program: (888) 942-2229
If you forget your PIN, call WIC Card Support for 24-hour help.
Here’s what you need to know:
- The magnetic stripe on the back can only be used for transactions at WIC-authorized grocery store
- The QR code on the front is only for farmers’ market transactions and can be used to purchase fruit and vegetable benefits year-round
- For more information, visit myfamily.wic.ca.gov
How to Replace Your WIC Card
PHFE WIC families can fill out the WIC Card Request Form to request the new card with a QR code or have misplaced, damaged, or stolen California WIC cards replaced.
You can expect to receive your new card within 5 business days upon request.
Download the California WIC App
User-friendly Features
- Food Balance screen includes a display of your available food balance.
- WIC Food Scan linked with your food balance. Use the scanner to quickly identify which foods you can buy with your benefits.
- Appointment screen lists the documents you will need for your upcoming phone appointment, and more.
- Locations of WIC Stores and WIC Clinics across the State of California.
WIC App Set-Up Guide for iPhone and Android
Download the helpful guidance sheets to install the WIC App on Android phones and iPhones.
Can’t Log In to the WIC App?
Forgot My Password
- Click Forgot Password
- Enter your Email Address, WIC Card Number, Birth Date, and Zip Code
- Create a new password
Forgot My Email
- Click Register
- Enter your Email Address, WIC Card Number, Birth Date, and Zip Code. If you do not have an email address you can make one up. Nothing will be sent to that email address.
For WIC app or shopping support, please call (800) 852-5770. To check your food balance or reset your PIN, call (844) 469-3264.
Tips for Shopping With Your WIC Card
Your WIC Food Balance shows the foods and the amounts available to your family between specific dates. As you shop and use your WIC foods, your Food Balance will change. Be sure to shop for all of the foods in your WIC Food Balance within the allowed dates.
There are many ways to find your WIC Food Balance
- Use the free California WIC app on your smartphone.
- Look at your store receipt from your last shopping trip.
- Ask a cashier or customer service person at the grocery store to print your WIC Food Balance.
- Call the number on the back of your WIC Card: (844) 4MY-FAMILY or (844) 469-3264.
You will need your physical WIC card at every transaction. The CA WIC app is a helpful tool for tracking your benefit balance and verifying WIC-eligible foods, but it does not currently support mobile payments or online shopping.
Look for the WIC logo on the front window of grocery stores to know where to shop. Most stores will also have the WIC logo on store shelves to help you easily find WIC foods or use the food scan feature in the CA WIC App.
- Find a grocery store that accepts WIC near you. The California WIC card cannot be used for online grocery orders at this time.
- Get just the WIC foods you need at each shopping trip.
- Use your WIC Authorized Food List Shopping Guide, the free California WIC app, and your WIC Food Balance to help you choose the right foods.
- Separate your WIC foods from your non-WIC items as you shop to make checkout easier.
Many families who qualify for WIC also qualify for CalFresh (also known as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP). Get the most out of both programs by paying with your WIC card first at the grocery store. Then, pay for the rest of your groceries using your CalFresh card. Using your cards in this order will make sure you do not use your CalFresh benefits to buy WIC foods.
Start your checkout
- The magnetic stripe on the back is only for grocery store transactions.
- Separate your WIC foods from your non-WIC items.
Some stores may need to scan your WIC items first. - Tell the cashier you are using your WIC Card.
- Ask the cashier when to swipe your WIC Card and enter your PIN.
- Always swipe your WIC Card first before using other forms of payment, such as CalFresh, debit card, or cash.
- Pay close attention as the cashier scans each WIC item.
After the cashier scans all your items
- Look over your WIC purchases and make sure all items are correct before your sale is totaled. The cashier may give you a receipt or show you a screen to review.
- Confirm all your purchases are correct using the card machine. Any foods not available in your WIC Food Balance can be put back or bought using another form of payment.
- Tell the cashier if you want to put something back before the cashier gives you the final receipt.
- Give the cashier your store loyalty card and any coupons you have.
- Pay for any non-WIC items using another form of payment.
- Wait for the cashier to complete the sale and give you a final receipt. Save your receipt in a safe place, such as your wallet.
- Your receipt lists the items you just bought.
- Your receipt shows what you have left in your WIC Food Balance. All family benefits are combined.
- The receipt shows the last day you can buy the rest of your WIC foods. Your WIC Food Balance will expire at midnight on that day.
When You Have Questions About WIC Authorized Foods or Your WIC Card
- Use the free WIC phone app.
- Call 1-844-4MY-FAMILY or 1-844-469-3264
- Contact PHFE WIC at 1-888-942-2229
- Text your questions to 91997
A new California WIC card with a quick-response (QR) code allows families to use their cash value benefit for fruits and vegetables at participating farmers’ markets year-round.
- Find WIC-approved farmers’ markets at myfamily.wic.ca.gov
- Give your WIC card to the farmer to scan your QR code
- Confirm your purchase by entering your personal identification number (PIN)
