Welcome to the State of California 

About WIC and How to Apply

Where can I find WIC? 

WIC has local offices all over California. Call 1-888-WIC-WORKS (1-888-942-9675) or use this search option.

What is WIC?

WIC, the Women, Infants, and Children program, is a nutrition program that helps pregnant women, new mothers and young children eat well and stay healthy.  

Do I qualify?

Generally, WIC is available to low income pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women and children under age five who are at nutritional risk and who are at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty level. (See income guidelines below.) Contact your local WIC office to make an appointment and find out which documents you will need to bring with you. At your appointment, WIC staff will check to see if you and your family qualify.

What can you get at WIC?

  • Special checks to buy healthy foods.  See Authorized Foods.
  • Information about nutrition and health to help you and your family eat well and be healthy.
  • Support and information about breastfeeding your baby.
  • Help in finding health care and other community services.
  • Who can WIC help?

  • Women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or just had a baby
  • Children under 5 years old (including foster children)
  • Families with low to medium income. Working families may qualify.
  • WIC Income Guidelines

  • WIC Income Guidelines (PDF)"Opens a new browser window"- 185% Federal Poverty Level - Effective April 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010
  • Medi-Cal Income Guidelines

  • Medi-Cal Income Guidelines (PDF)"Opens a new browser window" - 200% Federal Poverty Level - Effective April 1, 2009
  • Do you need health insurance?

    You or your family may qualify for the Medi-Cal program or the Healthy Families program (a low cost health insurance program). If your children are from 1 year old up to age 19, they may qualify for very low-cost health insurance provided by the State of California Healthy Families program.Your local WIC agency can refer you to either program.

  • To contact the Medi-Cal program, call your local county social services agency or look in the Community Services section (dark blue pages) of your yellow pages phone book.
  • To contact the Healthy Families program call 1-888-747-1222. 
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