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Iowa WIC Program - 1-800-532-1579 - (515) 281-6650 - Your child has you. And you have WIC.

WIC Families

Changes to WIC Foods

Please see "Frequently Asked Questions" section below for information regarding changes to the foods available for purchase with WIC benefits.

To apply

To apply call your local WIC program to make an appointment.

To find the agency closest to you:

  • Click here to use the map, OR
  • If you live in Iowa, call the state office at 1-800-532-1579.
  • If you live outside of Iowa, call the state office at 1-515-281-6650.
Mother and daughter

Do I qualify?

To find out if you qualify, you must:

  • meet the income rules (see below),
  • have an Iowa address, and
  • have a medical or nutritional need.

If you think you may qualify, please call your local WIC agency to make an appointment.

What do I need at my WIC appointment?

After scheduling your WIC appointment you will need to bring with you:

  • Proof of Iowa Address - Please bring proof of address to your appointment. One of the following items that have your current address on it will work: a current utility bill, a rent or mortgage receipt, or a driver's license, Iowa non-driver ID, voter registration and public assistance notification or identification such as Medicaid, hawk-I, FIP, and Food Stamps.
  • Proof of Identity - Please bring proof of identity to your appointment. Examples of acceptable forms of I.D. include: valid driver's license, non-driver I.D., passport/visa, social security card, work or school I.D. card, Medicaid or Health Benefit card, pay stubs, Matricula Consular Card, immunization record, other medical or health record (including crib cards), birth certificate, voter registration, and WIC identification card ("blue card").
  • Proof of Income - Please bring proof of your household income. Some examples of proof to bring in are pay stubs, unemployment benefit checks, award notices, business records, a signed statement from your employer, or income tax forms. Applicants certified as eligible for certain other assistance programs are automatically income eligible for the WIC program. Please bring proof of the following to automatically qualify as income eligible: certified as eligible to receive Food Stamps, Medicaid or FIP; presumptively eligible for either FIP or Medicaid; applicant for Medicaid Home and Community Based Ill and Handicapped Services, Mental Retardation, AIDS/HIV, or Brain Injured Waiver Program; member of a household with a FIP recipient or a pregnant woman or an infant currently on Medicaid.
Grocery bag full of food

Where do I shop?

To locate local stores that accepts WIC checks, contact your local WIC Office.

How do I let WIC know if I have had a problem using my checks?

The Iowa WIC Program is very interested in knowing about specific problems you have using your WIC checks. If you have a problem or a complaint, please send us a message with contact information if you would like to discuss your concern here: Contact Us or fill out the attached form and mail it to us.

I did not qualify for WIC. How do I appeal this decision?

You have the right to a hearing if you wish to appeal this decision. Your appeal rights are explained below.

  1. Send a written request for a hearing to your local WIC agency within 90 days of receiving this notice.
  2. The hearing officer will schedule a hearing within 21 days of receiving your request. You will receive notice of the time, place and date at least 10 days before the hearing.
  3. Before and during the hearing, you have the right to read all of the public documents on file about the decision that is under appeal.
  4. During the hearing you may speak for yourself or be assisted by a relative, friend, other person, or lawyer at your expense; bring witnesses; question or refute any testimony or evidence; question any adverse witnesses; and provide evidence to establish facts and circumstances related to your case.
  5. The local hearing officer will issue a written decision within 45 days of your request for the hearing unless a longer time period is agreed upon by both parties.
  6. Either party may appeal the written decision to the Division Director, Division of Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention, Iowa Department of Public Health. This appeal must be made within 15 days of the mailing date of the decision made by the local hearing officer. The procedures listed above must be followed for a second appeal about the decision.

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.

To file a complaint of discrimination, write to the USDA, Director, Office of Adjudication and Compliance, 1400 Independence Avenue S.W., Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TTY). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

I was disqualified from the WIC program. How do I appeal this decision?

Your Appeal Rights:

  1. Send a written request for a hearing to your local WIC agency within 90 days of receiving the notice.

  2. The hearing officer will schedule a hearing within 21 days of receiving your request. You will receive notice of the time, place and date at least 10 days before the hearing.
  3. Before and during the hearing, you have the right to read all of the public documents on file about the decision that is under appeal.
  4. During the hearing you may speak for yourself or be assisted by a relative, friend, other person, or lawyer at your expense; bring witnesses; question or refute any testimony or evidence; question any adverse witnesses; and provide evidence to establish facts and circumstances related to your case.
  5. The local hearing officer will issue a written decision within 45 days of your request for the hearing unless a longer time period is agreed upon by both parties.
  6. Either party may appeal the written decision to the Division Director, Division of Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention, Iowa Department of Public Health. This appeal must be made within 15 days of the mailing date of the decision made by the local hearing officer. The procedures listed above must be followed for a second appeal about the decision.

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.

To file a complaint of discrimination, write to the USDA, Director, Office of Adjudication and Compliance, 1400 Independence Avenue S.W., Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TTY). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Nutrition Resources

Click here to find useful nutrition information for your family.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of WIC?

  • WIC provides you with health services. These services include nutrition education, breastfeeding promotion and support, checks to buy nutritious foods, immunization screening and referrals, and health and social services referrals.
  • WIC nurses and dietitians meet with you to assess your diet and health history, provide nutrition counseling, and determine what foods are right for you and where you should shop.
  • WIC promotes and supports breastfeeding.

What foods can I get from WIC?

  • Infants - Breastfeeding is very important for growing babies. If a mom is not able to breastfeed then iron-fortified formula is provided for the baby. When your baby is old enough, baby foods and plain cereal will be available.
  • Children 1-5 years old - These children can receive milk, juice, cereal, eggs, peanut butter or dried beans, whole wheat bread, and fruits and vegetables.
  • Breastfeeding moms - Moms who feed their babies by breastfeeding can receive milk, cheese, juice, cereal, eggs, peanut butter and/or dried beans, tuna or salmon, whole wheat bread, and fruits and vegetables.

What are the approved WIC foods?

  • All approved foods are listed on the "WIC Approved Foods List" document below.
  • Changes to the WIC Approved Foods List, effective February 13, 2012, are detailed in the "Approved Foods List Changes" document below. Due to a decrease in funds available for WIC services and increases in the price of food, these changes were necessary in order to continue to serve all families eligible for WIC in Iowa.

What is a WIC Vendor?

A WIC vendor is a grocery store or pharmacy that is approved by the state WIC office to accept WIC checks. Check the link above "Where do I shop?" to find WIC vendors close to you.

Who decides what foods are given with WIC?

The USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) makes the decision as to what food packages WIC participants get to have based on vitamin and nutrient recommendations.

What is the Farmer's Market Nutrition Program?

Congress established this program to provide fresh, unprepared, locally grown fruits and vegetables to WIC participants. The state WIC agency determines who receives these checks each summer. Contact your local WIC agency for more information.