Minnesota WIC Program

Minnesota WIC is administered by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) but delivered locally through a network of 85 WIC agencies — mostly county public health departments, along with tribal health programs — reaching families from the Twin Cities to Greater Minnesota and Minnesota's 11 federally recognized tribal nations.

Who WIC Serves in Minnesota

WIC is open to pregnant women, women up to six months after giving birth (or up to a year if breastfeeding), infants, and children up to their 5th birthday. Fathers, foster parents, grandparents, and other caregivers can apply on behalf of an eligible child. To qualify, a household needs to meet income guidelines — or already take part in a program like Medical Assistance or SNAP — and have a nutrition-related risk, which WIC staff or your doctor can help confirm at your appointment.

What Your Benefits Include

Once approved, benefits are loaded monthly onto an eWIC card that works like a debit card at WIC-authorized grocery stores statewide, covering foods like milk, eggs, whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and infant formula. WIC also connects families to breastfeeding support, one-on-one nutrition education, and referrals to other services. Most participants use the free Minnesota WIC App to scan barcodes and instantly check whether an item is WIC-approved, find nearby authorized stores, check their benefit balance, and get reminders for scheduled appointments.

How WIC Works in Minnesota

Because Minnesota WIC is delivered through 85 local agencies rather than one statewide office, the fastest way to get started is to find and call the WIC agency nearest you using the Minnesota WIC Agency Directory, or apply online. Many local agencies also offer phone or video appointments through MDH's remote nutrition education option, so an in-person visit isn't always required to get started.

Staying Enrolled

Recertification timing depends on your category: pregnant participants are certified through delivery, breastfeeding participants for up to a year postpartum, non-breastfeeding postpartum participants for six months, and infants and children periodically up to their fifth birthday. Your local WIC agency will notify you before your certification period ends — the Minnesota WIC App also sends appointment reminders, so it's worth keeping it installed after you enroll.