Part of learning how to apply for WIC involves first learning where WIC agencies operate. A WIC clinic is likely available near you, but how do you locate it? Several websites are available to help you find the closest WIC agency where you live. Popular search engines such as Google, Yahoo and Bing are always an option.

The federally facilitated benefits.gov website provides a search option to help you find a WIC office near you. The pre-screening tool on the official WIC website also helps you determine your eligibility before you submit your application. This is highly beneficial and saves you time if indeed you do not qualify for the program. The USDA also provides a WIC Contact Map and WIC State Agency Directory pages to use in your search.

Additional websites to help you locate your closest WIC office are also available such as:

• WICPrograms.org.

• WICProgam.net.

• SignUpWIC.com.

• WICStore.org.

When applying for a WIC appointment times are available at local offices or clinics. Common locations where WIC applications are accepted include country health departments, hospitals and mobile WIC clinics or vans. Community centers, schools and Public Housing sites also sometimes accept WIC applications. Native American health services organizations and migrant health camps or centers also sometimes accept WIC applications. To be certain, call ahead to your preferred location to ensure WIC applications are available prior to making any trips.

Once pre-qualified, applicants are encouraged to schedule an appointment at their local WIC office. Contact information to help schedule your appointment is available in multiple languages including English, Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Vietnamese, Arabic and more. Standard verification documents will be required. 

These documents will include proof of identity and proof of residence. Income-based verification documents will also be required. These might include your last two year’s tax returns, bank statements or more. You must be a U.S. citizen or otherwise legal U.S. resident to qualify for this program.

Official WIC-related websites provide a convenient income threshold qualification guideline. This helps you determine your eligibility. For example, a family of one earning $23,606 annually, $1,968 monthly or $454 weekly meets WIC income qualification guidelines. A family of four earning $48,470 annually, $4,040 monthly or $933 weekly also qualifies. Earning requirements change based on each family member added to the equation.

Essentially, for each additional family member, $8,288, $691 and $160 are added to the income threshold per year, month and week respectively. WIC income requirements are more lenient than those required by some other government-sponsored benefits programs. This is because the health and nutrition of the nation’s women and children are seen as priorities and treated as such.