WIC Program

What is WIC?

WIC helps you buy healthy food for you and your family. WIC stands for Women, Infants, and Children. It's a free nutrition program for:

  • People who are pregnant
  • People who are up to 6 months postpartum or 12 months, if breastfeeding
  • Children under the age 5, supported by parents and caregivers (including foster parents and grandparents)

Get Started with WIC

Benefits

  • Money to buy healthy food and infant formula
  • Nutrition classes and workshops
  • Support for your pregnancy and/or growing child
  • Breastfeeding/chestfeeding support and breast pumps for parents who need them

Qualify for WIC

Check if you're eligible, and get connected to a local WIC office to apply and get help.

  • If you currently participate in SNAP, Medicaid, TANF, Essential Plan, or Head Start/Early Head Start benefits, you may automatically qualify for WIC.
  • There are other ways to qualify for WIC. Click here to see if you are eligible.

Apply for WIC

  1. Chat with Wanda, the WIC Assistant, to get connected to your preferred local office for a phone or in-person appointment.
  2. Gather a few documents like proof of ID (like a driver's license), income (like a paystub), and where you live (like a utility bill).
  3. Meet with staff at a local WIC office. You'll talk with a WIC staff member—either in person or over the phone – to review your documents.
  4. Get your WIC card. Pick it up at the office or have it mailed to you.

Previous WIC Participants

Chat with Wanda or click here to see if you are eligible.

Get More Help

  • Call the NYS WIC Program at 518-402-7093

Your WIC Rights and Responsibilities

As a WIC participant, you have the right to receive respectful treatment, privacy, nutritional support, and access to health services. You are also responsible for providing accurate information and notifying WIC of any changes in your circumstances. For a full list of your rights, responsibilities, and how to request a fair hearing, click here.

Click below for your WIC Right and Responsibilities in other languages:

Arabic, Bengali, Burmese, Chinese, English, Farsi, French, Haitian Creole, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Karen, Korean, Nepali, Polish, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Turkish, Urdu, Vietnamese, Yiddish

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement (PDF)