How to apply for Guam WIC
View the steps to apply for the Guam WIC program. The Guam Department of Public Health & Social 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 Guam WIC office for assistance.
WIC Prescreening
Before you start the Guam 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 does the WIC program offer
For qualified participants, the Guam WIC program provides:
- Nutritional group classes
- Personalized nutrition counseling
- Breastfeeding information and support, including hospital and home visits
- Food guides for feeding yourself, your infants, and your children
- Supplemental foods, such as milk, eggs, fortified cereals etc
- Infant cereal, infant vegetables, and infant fruits
- Referrals to other community programs as needed
Guam WIC Eligibility
You can apply for Guam WIC benefits if you are a:
- Pregnant woman
- Postpartum woman (up to 6 months after infant's birth)
- Breastfeeding woman (up to infant's 1st birthday)
- Infants 0-11 months old
- Children under 5 years old
Applying for WIC in Guam
To start the application process started, you would need to find your local WIC clinic location and call to schedule an appointment. Please note, all locations are closed on the last Friday of the month and on Government of Guam holidays.
What you need for your appointment
You will need to bring the following information with you to your appointment:
Paycheck Stubs
Most recent paycheck stubs of everyone working and/or retired in the household. Any proof of cash income, such as child support, tips, or LES document. To see if you meet the income requirements view the Guam WIC Income Guidelines.
Notice of Action
Most recent Notice of Action for Medicaid, SNAP (formerly Food Stamp), or TANF.
Proof of Residency
Any document with the caretaker's name and home address, such as a Guam driver's license, lease/rental agreement, utility/cable bill, or a note from homeowner where you live with supporting name and home address.
Current proof of ID
For adults, you need to being a valid Guam ID Card, Passport, Driver's License (if received 5/1/2017 or later), or Work or School ID.
For infants (0-11 months old) you can bring a crib card, hospital birth certificate, or official birth certificate; and shot record/immunization card.
For Children (under 5 years old) you can bring an official birth certificate and shot record/immunization card.
Bring the infant and/or child under 5 years old that is applying for the Guam WIC program. For legal guardians, if not natural parents, bring court documents.
Guam eWIC System
Guam now uses the eWIC system. This replaces paper checks and vouchers with a WIC EBT (Electronic benefit transfer) Card. This allows you to purchase WIC approved foods at your local grocery store with more convenience. At check out, you would hand the cashier your Guam WIC EBT card and they will swipe it just like a debit or credit card. It will then deduct the amount from your WIC balance.
Before you shop, it is recommended that you verify your benefits. To do that you can check them online at EBTEdge.com, call customer service at 877-216-3082 or through a WIC point of sales system (POS), where the cashier can get your current balance. Instead of going down to the WIC clinic each month to pickup new checks or vouchers, your benefits will now be refilled electronically each month on your Guam WIC EBT Card.
Guam eWIC Customer Service
Call toll free at 877-216-3082. They are available 24 hrs/7 days a week. They provide the following:
- Set up, change, or reset your PIN
- Check your current balance of WIC benefits
- Check transaction history
- Check items purchased during or right after the transaction
- Report if eWIC card is lost, stolen, damaged, or not working
How long can I be on WIC?
Guam 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 GU 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 Guam 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 Guam 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 GU 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 Guam 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 GU 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.