WIC Program
What does W.I.C. stand for? WIC is an abbreviation for Women, Infants, and Children and is a supplemental food and nutrition program. WIC is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The program aims to improve the health and nutrition of low-income pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and young children up to the age of five.
The WIC Program offers:
Overall, the WIC program offers a range of benefits that can help improve the health and well-being of eligible individuals.
Follow us on Social Media: Avery County WIC Facebook | Mitchell County WIC Facebook
Find the WIC Program in your county or complete the North Carolina WIC Referral Form for more information.
Still wondering what W.I.C. entails? Here is a brief overview of what the W.I.C. program provides:
- Nutritional Support: WIC provides participants with nutritious foods such as infant formula, milk, eggs, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and infant cereal. The program aims to ensure that women and children have access to essential nutrients during critical developmental stages.
- Nutrition Education: WIC offers nutrition education and counseling to help participants make healthy food choices and promote overall well-being. This includes guidance on breastfeeding and healthy eating habits.
- Healthcare Referrals: WIC connects participants to healthcare services and screenings. It often collaborates with healthcare providers to monitor the health and growth of pregnant women, infants, and children.
- Income Eligibility: Eligibility for WIC is based on income and nutritional risk factors. To qualify, applicants must have incomes below a certain threshold and meet specific nutritional or health-related criteria.
- Breastfeeding Support: WIC encourages and supports breastfeeding, providing resources, education, and access to breast pumps for eligible mothers who choose to breastfeed their infants.
- Local Administration: The program is administered at the state and local levels, with individual state agencies responsible for implementing and overseeing WIC services within their respective jurisdictions.
- Impact: WIC has been credited with improving the health and nutrition of women and children in low-income households, reducing infant mortality rates, and promoting healthy child development.
WIC plays a vital role in addressing the nutritional needs of vulnerable populations, particularly pregnant women, new mothers, and young children, to ensure they have access to adequate food and receive essential education and support for a healthy start in life.
MyNCWIC Portal
Visit the MyNCWIC Portal Page to upload documentation, answer health questions, request a new appointment, and communicate with your WIC clinic or find information here: Sign up for the MyNCWIC Portal
Online Education
Access free online nutrition lessons for WIC participants at wichealth.org
Access free online breastfeeding classes for WIC participants at Ready Set Baby
Breastfeeding Support
For additional 24 hour breastfeeding support, check out the Appalachian Breastfeeding Network to access their 24 hour breastfeeding hotline by calling 888-588-3423 or texting BFHOTLINE to 220-201-5477 to connect with a lactation professional and/or explore UNC Health’s breastfeeding support page for additional resources including their breastfeeding warm line at 866-428-5608.
Additional Assistance
To apply for Medicaid, FNS, Energy Assistance, or TANF-Work First visit NC ePass
View the Notice of Free Interpretation and Available Assistance Services.
WIC provides foods that are good sources of many needed nutrients. They include:
- milk
- cereal
- fresh fruits
- fresh veggies
- eggs
- infant formula
- infant cereal
- cheese
- peanut butter
- juice
- dry beans, peas, lentils
- whole wheat bread
- brown rice
- soft corn or whole wheat tortilla
- tuna/salmon*
- infant fruit & vegetables
- infant meats*
*for breastfeeding women only
Shopping Resources
- WIC Grocers and Free-standing Pharmacies
- ebtEDGE App Handout for NC eWIC | ebtEDGE para NC WIC
- EBT Edge Portal
- NC WIC Program Shopping Guide (English) | NC WIC Program Shopping Guide (Español)
Need Help?
Call eWIC Customer Service at (844) 230-0813
Check out helpful shopping videos on Welcome to NC WIC Videos and tips for using your eWIC card at eWIC for Families.
WIC clients and family members receive more than food. They get:
- Access to Basic Nutritious Foods
- Nutrition Education
- Health Care Referrals
- Breastfeeding Promotion and Support to include breastfeeding peer counselor support program for mother-to-mother counseling, consultation with trained designated breastfeeding experts and breastfeeding aids such as manual and electric breast pumps.
Visit My WIC to find out more information about the WIC Program and Services.
Visit My WIC to find out more information about the WIC Program Eligibility.
WIC is available to pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants and children up to age five. Foster families with qualifying individuals may be eligible to receive WIC benefits. To participate, these persons must:
- Live in North Carolina.
- Be at nutritional risk. A nutritionist or other health professional makes the nutritional risk assessment at no cost to the participant.
- Have a family income less than 185% of the U.S. Poverty Income Guidelines. A person receiving Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or assistance from the NC Food and Nutrition Services automatically meets the income eligibility requirement. See the income eligibility chart below.
Income Eligibility Chart (Effective June 2, 2025)
Note: A person who currently receives Medicaid, Work First, or Food and Nutrition Services (Food Stamps) automatically meets the income eligibility guidelines for WIC.
*185% of the Federal Poverty guidelines per the Federal Register.
** A household (or economic unit) is defined as a person or group of persons, related or nonrelated, who usually (although not necessarily) live together, and whose production of income and consumption of goods or services are related. The income of everyone in the economic unit is counted to determine eligibility.
Schedule Your Appointment Today
