Mississippi WIC Program

Mississippi WIC is administered by the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) but delivered locally through county health department clinics in all 82 Mississippi counties, alongside a separate Tribal WIC program serving the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. Mississippi WIC can be reached toll-free at 1-800-545-6747, or by calling the Ridgeland state office at (601) 991-6000.

Who WIC Serves in Mississippi

WIC is open to people who are pregnant, up to six months postpartum (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 and show a nutrition-related risk — such as being anemic, underweight, or newly pregnant — which a nurse or nutritionist confirms at your appointment.

What Your Benefits Include

Once approved, benefits are loaded monthly onto an eWIC card that works like a debit card at authorized grocery stores and pharmacies statewide, covering foods like milk, eggs, cheese, whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and infant formula. WIC also connects families to breastfeeding support — including free, unlimited telelactation help through the Pacify app — nutrition education, and referrals to programs like Medicaid and SNAP. Many participants use the free WICShopper app to check their benefit balance, scan barcodes to confirm an item is approved, and find nearby WIC-authorized stores.

How WIC Works in Mississippi

Mississippi has a large rural population, and distance to a clinic is a real barrier for many eligible families. Most Mississippi WIC clinics operate out of county health departments, and the state offers a full online application — not just a pre-screener — so applicants can start the process from a phone or computer instead of driving to a clinic first. A certification appointment, which can usually happen close to home at your local county health department, is still required to finish enrollment and receive your eWIC card.

Staying Enrolled

Recertification timing follows federal guidelines: pregnant participants are certified through pregnancy and six months postpartum (twelve months if breastfeeding), infants are recertified around six months and again near their first birthday, and children are recertified every six to twelve months until age five. Contact your local WIC clinic before your certification period ends to avoid a gap in benefits.