How to apply for Alabama WIC
View the steps to apply for the Alabama WIC program. The Alabama Department of Public Health administrates WIC in the state including the application process. View the steps below to see if you qualify, and if so, what you need to do to apply. If you still have questions or issues about the application process, you can contact the Alabama WIC office for assistance.
WIC Prescreening
Before you start the Alabama WIC application process, you can use the online prescreening tool to see if you qualify. Please note, this tool is not considered an application. You will still need to follow the application process for this state. It takes about 15 minutes to complete the prescreening tool.
Do I qualify for Alabama WIC
In order to qualify for Alabama WIC benefits you must:
- Meet the Alabama WIC Income Guidelines
- Be a resident of Alabama, and
- Be seen by a health professional at your local WIC Clinic
Applying for WIC in Alabama
If you are looking to apply for Alabama WIC and believe you qualify, then the first step is to contact your county health department to schedule an appointment. When going to your appointment you need to bring the following information:
- Person applying for WIC
- Proof of identification for parent/caretaker
- Proof of identification for person applying for WIC
- Proof of residence
- Proof of enrollment in Medicaid, SNAP or Family Assistance, or
- Proof of current household income
Once the staff have the documents and information above, they will then evaluate for nutritional risk. This is one of the main qualifying factors in determining eligibility for postpartum, breastfeeding, pregnant women or infants and children under 5. For further information you can call 888-942-4673. To get the Alabama WIC application process started you need to:
- Call your local county health department, or
- Call toll free at 888-942-4673 to find the WIC agency near you
How long can I be on WIC?
Alabama WIC is considered to be a short-term program. A person receiving benefits "graduates" once their certification period ends. The certification period is the length of time a person is eligible to receive AL WIC benefits. Depending on the applicant's condition, either pregnant, postpartum, breastfeeding, or an infant/child, an eligible person will usually receive these benefits for up to 6 months to a year. Once they have reached the end of that time, they must apply for Alabama WIC again if they want to continue using it.
WIC waiting list
In some cases, if the state agency does not have enough money to serve everyone who needs WIC, they must keep a list called a waiting list. This contains a list of individuals who want to apply for the Alabama WIC program and are likely to be served. The state agency will then use a special system, called a Priority System, that will allow them to determine who is eligible to receive AL WIC benefits next once more people can be served.
The reason for this priority system is to make sure that services and benefits are available right away to participants who need it most, which are people with serious health conditions such as anemia (low blood levels), history of pregnancy problems or being underweight.
Planning to move
Anyone currently on Alabama WIC that is planning to move, including out of state, can continue receiving WIC benefits until their certification period expires. In order to do that, they must provide proof that they are receiving benefits when they move to their new location. In most cases the staff will provide you with a special card called the Verification of Certification Card (VOC).
To obtain proof, contact your current AL WIC clinic to let them know your plans. When you move, you will need to call your local WIC clinic near your new location and schedule an appointment so you can show them the proof. Make sure to take the special card with you to the appointment to show proof.
