How to Apply for WIC in Texas

Texas makes it easier than most states to get started with WIC. You can begin your application online at TexasWIC.org in a few minutes — after you submit, someone from your local WIC office contacts you to schedule your first appointment. You can also call 1-800-942-3678 (1-800-WIC-FORU) Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or walk into any Texas WIC office. Many clinics offer evening and Saturday hours. Fathers, stepparents, foster parents, and grandparents can all apply on behalf of an eligible child.

Before Your Appointment

Every applicant must come to the clinic in person for the first appointment. Gather these documents before you go:

• ID for every family member applying — driver's license, passport, military ID, birth certificate, hospital discharge papers, or school/employee photo ID
• Proof of Texas address — utility bill, lease, or recent mail with your full street address (P.O. boxes are not accepted)
• Proof of income — pay stubs from the last 30 days, a current tax return, or an employer letter for all household members
• If on Medicaid, SNAP, or TANF — bring your enrollment letter or card instead of income documents
• For infants and children — birth certificate, hospital record, or crib card, plus immunization records if you have them

What Happens at Your Appointment

Your first appointment typically takes 30 to 45 minutes. A WIC health professional measures height and weight, does a finger stick to check hemoglobin levels, and reviews your medical and nutrition history — this determines nutritional risk, which nearly all applicants meet. You'll then meet with a nutritionist for one-on-one counseling. If approved, which usually happens the same day when your documents are complete, your food package is assigned on the spot and your Texas WIC card is loaded with benefits right away.

Recertification in Texas

How often you recertify depends on your category: pregnant women are certified through the end of pregnancy, breastfeeding women for up to a year postpartum, non-breastfeeding postpartum women for six months, and children annually, with a mid-certification health check for infants around the halfway point. Texas WIC notifies you before your certification period ends — benefits stop on that date, so if your situation changes beforehand, such as a new baby or a change in income or household size, call your clinic to update your record.

Moving To or From Texas

If you're moving to Texas from another state, contact your new local WIC clinic and let them know you want to transfer your benefits. If you're leaving Texas, ask your clinic for a Verification of Certification (VOC) form before you move so your new state can continue your benefits. Your Texas WIC card only works at authorized retailers within Texas.

Ongoing Support

After certification, regular nutrition education appointments can often be completed online through the myWIC app or TexasWIC.org, meaning fewer clinic trips. Breastfeeding support is available at every Texas WIC clinic through peer counselors and lactation consultants, and free breast pumps are available for breastfeeding participants in many cases — ask your clinic.