North Dakota WIC Program

North Dakota WIC is administered by North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) but delivered locally through county and district public health units across all 53 counties, along with tribal WIC programs serving several of the state's reservations. WIC supports pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and children up to age 5 with free healthy food, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to other services.

Who WIC Serves in North Dakota

WIC is open to people who are pregnant, breastfeeding a baby under 1, or up to six months postpartum if not breastfeeding, plus infants and children under age 5. WIC welcomes all caregivers — dads, grandparents, foster parents, or anyone raising a child under 5 can apply on the child's behalf. To qualify, your household needs to meet income guidelines and have a nutrition-related need, which WIC staff identify at your appointment by checking height, weight, iron level, and a few health and diet questions.

What Your Benefits Include

Once approved, benefits are loaded onto an eWIC card that works like a debit card at authorized grocery stores statewide, covering foods like milk, cheese, eggs, whole grains, peanut butter, beans, and fresh fruits and vegetables. WIC also provides nutrition counseling, breastfeeding support — including peer counselors and classes at some clinics — and referrals for health insurance, vaccines, child care, housing, and domestic violence or substance use counseling. Many participants use the free WICShopper app to check their benefit balance and confirm which products are approved before checking out.

How WIC Works in North Dakota

North Dakota WIC does not have a statewide online application — in-person enrollment at a local clinic is required. Call the WIC office serving your county (or the statewide line at 1-800-472-2286) to schedule an intake appointment, or use the national prescreening tool at signupwic.com to check your potential eligibility first. Your first appointment takes about 30–45 minutes, and if you qualify, your eWIC card is loaded with benefits the same day.

Staying Enrolled

WIC certification isn't permanent. Standard recertification follows federal guidelines: pregnant participants are certified through six months postpartum (up to 12 months if breastfeeding), infants are recertified around 6 months and again near their first birthday, and children are recertified every six months from age 1 through age 5. Your local clinic will contact you before your certification period ends — don't wait to schedule, since rural clinics may only hold appointments on certain days each month.