How to Apply for WIC in Arkansas

Arkansas does not have a statewide online WIC application, so applying starts with a phone call. WIC is available at all Local Health Units in Arkansas, satellite clinics, and four dedicated WIC-only clinics — and unlike most states, you can apply for and receive WIC at any county health unit in Arkansas, not just the one serving your home address.

Step 1: Find a Clinic and Call

• Use the Local Health Unit directory at healthy.arkansas.gov to find the clinic serving your county or any other county you prefer.
• Call your local county health unit directly, or call the State WIC Office at 501-661-2508 or toll-free at 1-800-235-0002 for a referral to your nearest clinic.
• You can also email wic.program@arkansas.gov with questions.

Tip on timing: Arkansas Local Health Units are open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. On Tuesdays, every unit statewide stays open from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. — the best option if you can't take time off during a standard workday.

Documents to Bring

• ID for yourself and each person applying — driver's license, birth certificate, or other government-issued ID; hospital birth records for infants
• Proof of Arkansas residency — a current utility, cable, or phone bill, a mortgage or rent receipt, or proof of Medicaid, TEA, or SNAP enrollment, which also satisfies this requirement
• Proof of income — recent pay stubs, W-2 forms, or your most recent tax return. If you receive Medicaid (including ARKids), TEA, or SNAP, bring that enrollment documentation instead — it replaces income proof entirely
• All family members applying for WIC, including infants and children, should attend the appointment

What Happens at Your Appointment

A WIC health professional reviews your documents, measures height and weight, checks hemoglobin with a quick finger-stick blood test, and discusses your nutrition and health history to assess eligibility. If you're approved, you leave with your eWIC card, your first set of food benefits, and your WIC shopping list, along with instructions for setting up the free My Arkansas WIC app.

Recertification

Pregnant participants are certified through pregnancy and up to six months postpartum, or up to twelve months if breastfeeding. Infants and children are recertified roughly every six to twelve months up to their 5th birthday. Contact your local health unit before your certification period ends — and remember you can schedule that appointment at any county health unit in Arkansas, not just your original clinic.

Moving To or From Arkansas

If you're moving to Arkansas from another state, contact any Arkansas local health unit and bring the Verification of Certification (VOC) form from your previous state's WIC program. If you're leaving Arkansas, ask your health unit for a VOC form before you go so your new state can continue your benefits without starting the certification process over.