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Welcome to WIC. Good food and a whole lot more!
WIC purchases are now as fast and easy as making a purchase with a debit or credit card. All of the food for your whole family will be together on one card, your WIC nutritionist will help you select your food package at your WIC visit. Current food benefits loaded at the WIC clinic will be available immediately. Food benefits for upcoming months will be available at 12: midnight on the beginning date and will expire at 12:00 midnight on the ending date. However, you must return to your local WIC Clinic to receive your next set of benefits.
With the WIC card you can shop at your convenience. As you shop, the WIC Foods you buy are deducted from your benefits account. You don't need to purchase all your benefits at one time, you can purchase only the foods that you need. All the food for your entire family will be together on one card, your food benefits have a beginning date and an ending date, so it's important you keep track of when your food benefits will expire. Any benefits remaining in your account will expire at midnight on the ending date.
To use your WIC card, you'll need to have a four-digit personal identification number or pin. When choosing a pin, pick numbers that are easy for you to remember and what will be hard for someone else to figure out. Your PIN helps ensure that you and only you can use your WIC food benefits, think of your PIN as your electronic signature for your own protection. Never tell it to anyone else, not even a cashier. And never write your pin on your card. If someone else knows your PIN, they can use your WIC card and your WIC food benefits. If someone on unauthorized redeems your food benefits they cannot be replaced.
Along with your WIC card, you will receive a WIC shopping list. The shopping list will show you all of your family's WIC foods for each month. Keep this in a safe place because you will need this to go shopping. You can also download the WIC Shopper app to your smartphone to get your available shopping list.
Let's take a look at your card. Your WIC card looks just like a debit or credit card and has your account number printed on the front. On the back of the card, you will find a magnetic strip, as well as a toll-free customer service number that you can call if you are having trouble with your card or get answers to any questions you may have about your WIC card. The toll-free number is available Monday through Friday during regular business hours you can also obtain this information by calling your local WIC program.
Finding a participating store is easy, just look for the WIC accepted here sign, posted at the entrance, usually on the front door or window. Your WIC clinic will also provide you with a list of authorized WIC stores in your area. Shop as you normally would, picking the WIC Foods. You need stores to have WIC approved shelf labels to help you find WIC approved foods faster. You can choose as few or as many of your available WIC Foods each time you go shopping but please make sure you buy all of the food on your shopping list within the allowed dates.
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Once you finish shopping proceed to a checkout line, be sure to tell the cashier that you are using your WIC card. If you have coupons be sure to give them to the cashier at this time. Please pay careful attention to items being scanned, refer to your WIC approved food list or use the WIC mobile app while shopping to ensure you select the correct foods.
If you select items that are not WIC approved or not in the benefit package you will have to pay for those items with another form of payment. Once all WIC food items have been totaled the cashier will scan all coupons, the cashier will tell you when to swipe your WIC card and when to enter your PIN number. Always remember to swipe your WIC card before any other forms of payment. Any remaining balance can be paid with either cash, EBT, SNAP, or another form of payment accepted by the store.
Please be aware that some stores may ask you to separate your WIC food items from your other grocery items. If you have non-WIC foods, you can purchase them using some other form of payment after completing your WIC transaction. Finally, the cashier will give you your receipt, it should list the name of the store, the date, and time of your WIC purchase, a list of WIC food items you bought, a list of your remaining WIC food benefits, and expiration date.
This completes your WIC food purchase; make sure you have your WIC card and receipt before leaving the store. Be sure to check your receipt to make sure you have all of the items listed. It is very important to hold on to your receipt because it shows your remaining balance.
Remember WIC Foods cannot be returned or exchanged for cash or other products since you'll be using the same card each month to purchase your WIC food items. Keep your card in a safe place so it won't become damaged or lost. Store your card in a clean and safe location, if it gets dirty or damaged it may not work properly and you won't be able to use your WIC food benefits until you get a replacement card. Be sure to protect your card from the Sun or other hot places like the dashboard of your car. Also keep your card away from magnets and magnetic devices such as mobile phones, DVD or VCR players, televisions stereos, and another card with a magnetic strip. These items might erase the information on the card's magnetitic strip. For complete details on the proper use and care of your WIC card please refer to the materials you will receive from your WIC Program.
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Here are some common questions about the WIC card.
How do I check my balance? You can get your balance in three ways. Check your remaining balance on your last receipt, go to the customer service desk or any cashier at your grocery store to look up your balance, and download the WIC Shopper app to your smartphone. It is important that you keep your receipts, this is so you can track what you've already used and the remaining balance available.
What do I do if my WIC card is lost or stolen? If you lose your card or someone steals your card, call the local WIC program right away. They will stop anyone from using your benefits and help you get a new card. There are also no fees for replacement cards.
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What happens if I can't do my own shopping and need someone else to shop for me? You may have someone else shop for you if you wish. You can give them your WIC card and pin number, just make sure this is someone you can trust.
What if I need to change my WIC food prescription? You will need to talk with your WIC nutritionist about changing your WIC food prescription.
What if I have an insufficient balance? An insufficient balance means you don't have enough remaining food benefits to buy your WIC food items. You'll need to decide if you want to pay for them with another form of payment.
How do I get more benefits after all my benefits have been used? If you don't already have an appointment scheduled, call your program to make one. You must return to your local WIC Clinic to receive your next set of benefits.
Where can I shop with my WIC card? Your local WIC clinic will provide you with a list of authorized stores that accept the card. You can purchase WIC foods and infant formula at WIC authorized grocery stores. At WIC authorized pharmacies, you can only purchase infant formula. The WIC Shopper app also has a list of authorized stores you can shop at.
We hope you find using your WIC card to be an easy, fast and convenient way to make WIC purchases. Please remember to keep your card safe and clean. Keep your PIN a secret! When shopping always swipe your WIC card first. Make sure you have a receipt and your card before you leave the store and keep your last receipt.
Please be sure to return to your local WIC Clinic to receive your next set of benefits.
Enjoy using your WIC card and thanks!