Nevada WIC Program

Nevada WIC is administered by the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH) but delivered locally through county health departments and a wide network of community-based organizations — from Northern Nevada Public Health (formerly the Washoe County Health District) in Reno to Community Health Alliance, Three Square Food Bank, and Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada. That local delivery model means families in Las Vegas, Reno, and rural Nevada communities alike can usually find a provider close to home.

Who WIC Serves in Nevada

WIC is open to people who are pregnant, up to six months postpartum (or up to a year if breastfeeding), infants, and children under age 5. Fathers, grandparents, foster parents, and other caregivers can apply on behalf of an eligible child. There is no citizenship requirement to apply, and enrolling in WIC does not affect immigration status. To qualify, a household needs to meet income guidelines and have a nutrition-related risk — such as being pregnant, anemic, or underweight — 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 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 programs like Nevada Medicaid and SNAP. Most participants use the free WIC Shopper app to check their benefit balance, scan barcodes in the store to confirm an item is approved, and find nearby WIC-authorized stores.

How WIC Works in Nevada

Because Nevada WIC is delivered through local agencies rather than a single statewide office, the fastest way to get started is to find and call the clinic nearest you. A staff member will schedule a certification appointment and let you know what to bring — proof of identity, proof of Nevada residency, and proof of income or participation in a program like Medicaid, SNAP, or TANF. Nevada also has a significant tribal WIC presence; many tribal members access services through the Inter-Tribal Council of Nevada (ITCN) WIC Program rather than a county clinic.

Staying Enrolled

Recertification timing follows 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 months until their fifth birthday. Your local WIC clinic will notify you before your certification period ends — don't wait until the last week to schedule, especially at busy clinics in Clark and Washoe counties.