What is a WIC store? This is a grocery store where eligible participants get their WIC benefits through the program. It is also a store where WIC foods are sold with a logo in front of the window. The grocery store helps participants redeem checks for nutritious foods, which help keep pregnant and breastfeeding women and children five healthy. However, each state in the United States is responsible for authorizing stores to accept WIC checks.
Apart from the benefit of the program, it also helps participants to locate the WIC store near me and have access to foods. On the contrary, the WIC store locator is a resourceful website that helps users to locate grocery store and pharmacy products approved by the U.S Department of Agriculture for USDA’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children.
Furthermore, at the WIC store, not everything is eligible for purchase with the participant’s voucher/check, so participant needs to know what they can purchase before going to the store. However, different stores accept WIC benefits.
Amazing Facts about WIC Store
The WIC stores is a retail grocery store that provides social services to the society. However, some stores accept WIC. For instance, Walmart, Target, Publix, Piggly Wiggly, Save a Lot, etc; accept WIC around the world. But you can only access your WIC food benefits at the stores by the use of WIC card. Meanwhile, the card comes in the form of an electronic device known as the eWIC card. The eWIC card gives you access to your WIC account. Please note, that every WIC account can have a second cardholder which is added to your WIC account by the WIC staff. Meanwhile, the second cardholder will be used to shop for your WIC food benefits using the eWIC card.
What is an eWIC Card and How does it Work?
eWIC card is an electronic method of shopping for WIC food benefits through the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT). It undergoes a process where food benefits are automatically added to a Card similar to a debit card or credit card. This is why it is called the eWIC card to replace paper vouchers.
How to use WIC card
On the contrary, the WIC card works just like a debit card and credit card. This is used to make simple and easy transactions of purchase and shop for your food benefits at convenience. However, the card does not change the amount of WIC food benefits you receive. Meanwhile, the following steps show how the WIC card works.
- When you get to the stores, swipe your WIC card just as you would with a debit or credit card when you want to get your benefit at the store.
- Your WIC nutrition attendant will choose your food package every 1-3 months. Please Note: every month, you get your family’s WIC food benefits added and deposited to your card.
- Any eligible food item you buy will be deducted from your benefits total.
Stores that accept WIC benefits
The following stores are responsible for providing WIC benefits particularly food items. They are located at different stores across the United States.
- Walmart in Alabama, Arizona stores
- Target in Alaska, Arkansas stores
- Publix in Nebraska, Montana stores
- Piggly Wiggly in Colorado, California, Illinois stores
- Save a Lot in Georgia, Kansas, Texas stores, etc.
What food do the stores provide?
The WIC store gives benefits by providing the Approved food items to the participants. However, eligible WIC foods vary based on your child’s age, medical needs, and your preferences. WIC foods are chosen because they contain good nutrients that benefit the mother and the child’s needs. The foods include infant formula, infant and adult cereal; baby food fruits, vegetables and meats; whole wheat bread, brown rice, soft corn, and whole wheat tortillas; juice; eggs; milk; cheese; peanut butter; and canned fish; etc.
How to find WIC Approved Store
As earlier discussed, you can find an approved store with the use of WIC store Locator. This provides a list of stores that are approved to sell foods in each state and also help you find the nearest authorized grocery store around you.
- Visit www.wicstorelocator.com, nyswicvendors.com, and many more using your PC or mobile device.
- The site homepage pops out, scroll down and search for the approved WIC stores by selecting a state.
- After selection, tap the “Search Now” button.
In conclusion, there is no particular website for finding an authorized store but you can use other sources.