New York WIC Program

The WIC program in New York is handled by the New York Department of Health. Their job is to help promote, improve and protect the health of children and adults in the state. This includes managing New York WIC benefits and services. If you are looking to apply for the New York WIC program, or if you already receive benefits and need assistance, then use the WIC office contact number listed below.

Applying for New York WIC

If you live in the state and are looking to apply for NY WIC benefits, then you will need to contact your local WIC clinic or agency and schedule an appointment. Use the information below to contact the New York Department of Health to find a location near you. At your appointment the staff will determine if you are eligible. Applicants must meet all eligibility requirements including categorical, residential, income and nutrition risk. For more details on these requirements, find out how to apply for New York WIC.

Transferring New York WIC Benefits

If you are currently receiving New York WIC benefits and plan on moving to a new city or out of state, you should be able to transfer your benefits to your new location. First, you need to contact your local WIC clinic or agency and inform the staff your plans to move. In most cases they will provide you with a Verification of Certification Card (VOC). This will help ensure a seamless and continued participation through the entirety of your certification period (The time you are receiving WIC). Once you have moved, the next step is to contact the WIC clinic or agency nearby at your new location and let them know you need to transfer your benefits. The VOC should have the contact information for the WIC clinic or agency at your new location.

Once you have moved, you will need to give them a valid VOC card. Your WIC benefits must be transferred and allow the participant to continue receiving benefits through the end of their current certification period, even if the participant does not meet the eligibility requirements at their new location. If the clinic or agency at your new location is at a maximum case load, they are required to put you at the top of the waiting list and make it a priority. If you still need help, please contact the New York Department of Health listed below.

New York eWIC EBT System

Originally, when receiving New York WIC benefits, you are given checks or vouchers each month that you would use to purchase WIC approved foods at your local grocery store. By the year 2020, states will be using eWIC for all participants. The eWIC system aims to replace paper checks and vouchers with a EBT (Electronic benefit transfer) card. This acts like a normal debit card. You would go to your WIC approved store and select the food items to purchase, and at check out you would give the cashier your NY WIC EBT card.

The cashier will then run it like a normal debit card and the system will automatically deduct the amount from your current balance. Also, each month instead of having to visit your local WIC clinic to pickup more checks/vouchers, the EBT system allows the state to refill your card eletronically each month. For more information about the NY eWIC system, for instance how to check balance on WIC card, contact the New York Department of Health listed below.

Below is a list of additional departments that handle WIC benefits in this state:

Seneca Nation
36 Thomas Indian School Drive
Irving, NY 14081
Phone: 716-532-5582 Ext: 5270
Toll-Free: 800-894-1162
Fax: 716-532-1428
Website: sni.org
Coordinator: Natasha Souter