What is WIC?

WIC, which stands for Women, Infants, and Children, provides food to low-income pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, and infants and children until the age of five. 

The WIC Program promotes healthy habits and healthy families.

  • Breastfeed your baby
  • Eat more fiber
  • Lower the fat
  • Eat more fruits and vegetables
  • Eat more whole grains
  • Drink less juice and sweetened beverages
  • Make family meals matter

To help participants practice these habits, WIC provides basic nutritious foods to eligible pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, as well as infants and children. These foods are rich in protein, iron, calcium, fiber and vitamins. Participants exchange WIC food vouchers at authorized retail grocery stores and pharmacies.

The NC eWIC Debit Card

Buy only the foods you need when you shop. See your benefits balance and approved products on your smartphone. Learn more about NC eWIC. 

Other Services WIC Provides

Nutrition education is an important part of WIC and is available to all adult WIC participants, and whenever possible, to child participants and to other family members. Information is provided about:

What happens at a WIC visit?

  • Your height, weight, and a blood test for low iron will be done if needed.
  • A nutritionist will ask you about your health and your diet.
  • A nutritionist will review your information to see if you are eligible for WIC. If eligible, you will be given "checks" to take to the store to get your food.
  • You can discuss nutrition problems or questions.

Please bring your child's immunization (shot) record to all appointments.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I need to bring to my first WIC appt?

You will need to bring a photo ID, a piece of mail for your physical address, and proof of Medicaid OR Food Stamps OR income. **Medicaid and Food Stamp recipients automatically qualify for WIC.

Category: WIC FAQs
Do I need to bring my child(ren) with me, and if so, when?

WIC appointments/contacts are required for every 3 months to receive benefits*. However, you will only need to bring your children to the WIC office for the first appointment (initial certification), and every 6 months after that:

  • Initial certification (bring children)
  • Low-risk follow up
  • Mid-assessment at 6 months (bring children)
  • Low-risk follow up
  • Subsequent certification at 12 months (bring children)

*You may need to bring child to WIC office during a Low-risk visit if we need to obtain their weight, height, or iron level.

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What makes me eligible to join WIC?

Being a recipient of Medicaid and/or Food Stamps automatically qualifies you. Additionally, you must be pregnant, postpartum, and/or have children under the age of 5 to be eligible.

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Does the WIC office close during a government shutdown?

The WIC office does not close during government shutdowns.

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What are your WIC office hours?

8:00 am -4:30 pm Monday-Friday, except for the 1st and 3rd Monday of the month, when the Health Department is open until 5:30 pm for Late Clinic. If you need an appointment at a time not listed, WIC may be able to flex hours on a case-by-case basis.

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When do my benefits start?

Immediately after completing your first appointment.

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How long does my first appointment take?

Your first appointment may take anywhere from 1 hour to 1 hour and 30 minutes.

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What is WicHealth.org?

WicHealth.org is a website you can access to complete an online education. Doing so will exempt you from having an appointment with a WIC Nutritionist for your Low-Risk Follow up appointment. Once you have completed the online education, call our office and we will upload your benefits over the phone.

Category: WIC FAQs
How often do I need to come into the WIC office?

You need to come into the WIC office 4 times a year*:

  • 1st appointment, Initial certification
  • 2nd appointment, Low-risk follow-up (may complete a WicHealth education instead, and come into the WIC office only to receive your benefits)
  • 3rd appointment, Midterm assessment
  • 4th appointment, Low-risk follow-up
  • 5th appointment, Subsequent certification (12-month cycle starts over again)

*The only time you may not need to come into the office is when you complete a WicHealth education for your Low-risk Follow up appointments OR if you have listed a proxy or guardian in our system who can come to the office in your place.

WicHealth.org is a website you can access to complete an online education. Doing so will exempt you from having an appointment with a WIC Nutritionist, but you must call ahead to let the office know you completed the education AND you must come to the office to sign for and pick up your benefits.

Some exceptions to the appointment schedule above is if you are already a WIC recipient and you deliver a baby, and/or if you have a foster child come into your care.

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Can I walk-in, or do I need an appointment?

Appointments ensure the likelihood of a faster appointment, but walk-ins are always welcome during WIC office’s hours of operation.

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Can I get WIC if I recently had a miscarriage?

Yes, you will be able to receive benefits for 6 months.

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What type of formula does WIC provide?

WIC currently provides GoodStart Gentle, Soothe, and Soy. However, our formula supplier may change from time to time, depending on the contract our state office holds. Please call our WIC office to verify the formula if you are concerned.

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Do I need to have Medicaid to get WIC benefits?

No, but having Medicaid automatically qualifies you to be WIC eligible.

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If I have Food Stamps, can I still qualify for WIC?

Yes. In fact, having Food Stamps automatically qualifies you to be WIC eligible.

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When do WIC benefits run out for me and my children?

You will receive WIC benefits for the duration of pregnancy, and for 6 months postpartum if non-breastfeeding, or 1 year if breastfeeding. Children up to the age of 5 are eligible.

Category: WIC FAQs
How will I know when to schedule my appointments?

After your first appointment, we will send you appointment scheduling reminders via text message or mail.

Category: WIC FAQs
PDF icon NC eWIC (2 MB)