How to apply for Arizona WIC
View the steps to apply for the Arizona WIC program. The Arizona Department of Health Services 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 Arizona WIC office for assistance.
WIC Prescreening
Before you start the Arizona 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.
What WIC provides for you
For all qualified participants, the Arizona WIC program provides:
- Nutrition education
- Breastfeeding support
- Nutrition experts who specialize in nutrition for mothers and their children
- Information on nutrition and weight gain during pregnancy
- Tips for feeding infants and children to create healthy habits for a lifetime
- Referrals to health care and other community resources
- Healthy foods
Arizona WIC Eligibility
The Arizona WIC program is available to pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, infants and children under the age of five who are at nutritional risk and who are at or below 185% of the federal poverty guidelines. A pregnant woman is considered two family members. View the Arizona WIC Income Guidelines to see if you meet the income requirements. To apply for Arizona WIC benefits you need to contact your local WIC clinic and schedule an appointment. Or you can call 800-252-5942.
What you need for your appointment
You will need to bring the following information to your first appointment to assist the staff in determining if you are eligible:
- Everyone who will be enrolling in Arizona WIC
- Identification for adults
- Child's Identification
- Proof of Income
- Proof of Address
If you have additional questions or issues about the WIC application process in Arizona, then call 800-252-5942.
How long can I be on WIC?
Arizona 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 AZ 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 Arizona 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 Arizona 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 AZ 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 Arizona 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 AZ 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.
