Frequently Asked Questions
  1. What is WIC?
  2. Who is eligible for WIC?
  3. What is a “nutrition risk”?
  4. Where can WIC checks be used?
  5. Can more than one WIC check be used on the same day?
  6. Can WIC checks be used early?
  7. Can Georgia WIC checks be used in another state?
  8. Can WIC checks be replaced if lost, stolen, or expired?
  9. Does the WIC client have to buy everything on the front of the WIC check?
  10. What if a WIC client loses his/her WIC ID card?
  11. Do store brands need to be purchased when it says “least expensive” on the WIC check?
  12. Can store or manufacturer’s coupons be used with WIC checks?
  13. When WIC checks do not provide enough infant formula for a baby, can the WIC client receive more formula form WIC?
  14. How does a WIC client and store cashier know what types and brands of food are allowed to be purchased with WIC checks?

1. What is WIC?
WIC is a federally funded nutrition program for Women, Infants, and Children that provides the following at no cost: healthy foods, nutrition education and counseling, breastfeeding support, and referrals for health care.

2. Who is eligible for WIC?
Pregnant and breastfeeding women, women who have recently been pregnant, infants, and children under the age of 5 years who have a low or moderate income, are at nutrition risk, and who live in Georgia. A person is considered income-eligible for WIC if the household income is less than or equal to those listed in the WIC Income Guidelines or if the person is currently receiving Medicaid,  Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or SNAP Benefits. However, a person does not have to be on a public assistance program to qualify for WIC. To view the WIC Income Guidelines, click here.

3. What is a “nutrition risk”?
A nutrition risk is a condition such as underweight, overweight, low birth weight, low hemoglobin or hematocrit, prematurity, chronic disease, and inadequate diet that is determined by a nutritionist at the local WIC office.

4. Where can WIC checks be used?
WIC checks can be used at any WIC-approved store in Georgia. Look for a sign that says, “WIC Checks Welcome Here.”

5. Can more than one WIC check be used on the same day?
Yes. There is no limit to the number of checks that can be used in one day. A WIC check can only be used between the “First Day to Use” and “Last Day to Use” dates shown on the front of each check. WIC clients may not want to use all of their checks for the month during one trip to the store, because fresh food such as milk may go bad if too much is purchased at one time.

6. Can WIC checks be used early?
No. WIC checks cannot be used before the “First Day to Use” that is printed on the front of the WIC check.

7. Can Georgia WIC checks be used in another state?
No. Georgia WIC checks can only be used at Georgia WIC-approved stores. Your local WIC office can provide you with a list of WIC-approved stores in your area.

8. Can WIC checks be replaced if lost, stolen, or expired?
No. WIC checks cannot be replaced if they are lost, stolen, or expired.

9. Does the WIC client have to buy everything on the front of the WIC check?
No. WIC clients do not have to buy everything on the front of the check. If clients do not want or need an item listed on the front of the WIC check, they do not have to purchase it.

10. What if a WIC client loses his/her WIC ID card?
The WIC client can contact the call center for instructions to replace a lost WIC ID card. WIC office staff will inform clients of what they will need to bring into the WIC office in order to get a replacement WIC ID card.

11. Do store brands need to be purchased when it says “least expensive” on the WIC check?
WIC client must purchase the least expensive brand of the type of milk, eggs, and frozen juice available at the store at the time of purchase. This may or may not be the store brand.

12. Can store or manufacturer’s coupons be used with WIC checks?
Yes. Cashiers must honor all store or manufacturer promotions such as buy one, get one free; buy one, get one at a reduced price; free ounces added by the manufacturer; manufacturer cents-off coupons; and store savings card or customer reward card presented by the WIC customer. If a cents-off coupon makes a product the least expensive brand of milk, eggs, or frozen juice, the WIC customer may choose that brand.

13. When WIC checks do not provide enough infant formula for a baby, can the WIC client receive more formula from WIC?
No. Unfortunately, WIC can only provide the amount of infant formula listed on the WIC checks. WIC is a “supplemental” program and was never intended to meet all of a client’s nutrition needs. Clients who need additional formula and cannot afford to buy it should check with their local WIC office to see if there is a food bank or other place in the community that can help.

14. How does a WIC client and store cashier know what types and brands of food are allowed to be purchased with WIC checks?
The Georgia WIC Foods brochure describes and has photos of the Georgia WIC-allowed foods.