How to Apply for WIC in Kentucky

Kentucky does not have a statewide online WIC application, so applying starts with contacting the local health department that serves your county. Kentucky WIC is delivered through 61 local health departments covering all 120 counties, rather than a single state office. If you're not sure which health department serves you, call the statewide WIC information line at (877) 597-0367, or visit chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dph/dmch/nsb/Pages/wic.aspx for the local health department directory. You can also get an early read on eligibility with the WIC Pre-Screening Tool before you call.

Before Your Appointment

• ID for every family member applying — driver's license, birth certificate, or other government-issued ID; a hospital birth card is accepted for infants
• Proof of Kentucky residency — utility bill, lease, or recent mail with your name and address
• Proof of income — recent pay stubs or other income documentation for the prior month. If your household receives Medicaid, SNAP, or K-TAP, bring that enrollment documentation instead
• For infants and children — birth certificate or hospital record, plus immunization records if available
• For pregnant applicants — documentation of pregnancy from a healthcare provider, if available

All family members applying for WIC, including infants and children, should be present at the first appointment, since height and weight measurements are part of the nutrition assessment.

What Happens at Your Appointment

A WIC health professional reviews your documents and completes a nutrition assessment for each qualifying family member — including height, weight, and a quick hemoglobin check for anemia — plus a review of nutrition and health history. If you're approved, your eWIC card is loaded with your first month of benefits, often the same day, and you can start shopping right away.

Recertification in Kentucky

Certification periods follow federal guidelines: pregnant participants are certified through delivery, breastfeeding participants for up to a year postpartum, non-breastfeeding postpartum participants for six months, and children every six to twelve months until their fifth birthday. Your local health department will notify you before your certification period ends — benefits stop on the end date, so schedule your recertification appointment ahead of time.

Moving To or From Kentucky

If you're moving to Kentucky from another state, contact the local health department that serves your new county and bring the Verification of Certification (VOC) form from your previous state. If you're leaving Kentucky, ask your WIC clinic for a VOC form before you go so your new state can continue your benefits without starting over. Your Kentucky eWIC card only works at authorized vendors within Kentucky.