How to apply for Indiana WIC
View the steps to apply for the Indiana WIC program. The Indiana State Department of 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 Indiana WIC office for assistance.
WIC Prescreening
Before you start the Indiana 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 Indiana WIC program provides:
- Nutrition and health screening and assessment
- Nutrition education and counseling
- Breastfeeding promotion and support
- Referrals to other Indiana health, family, and social services
- Supplemental healthy foods designed to meet special nutrition needs
Indiana WIC Eligibility
To be eligible for the Indiana WIC program, an applicant must meet the requirements listed below:
An applicant must be an Indiana resident and be categorically eligible. Those categories are:
- Pregnant Women
- Breastfeeding Women (up to baby's 1st birthday)
- Non-Breastfeeding Postpartum Women (up to 6 months)
- Infants (up to their 1st birthday)
- Children (up to their 5th birthday)
An applicant must be at a nutritional risk. The specific criteria and parameters that indicate risk are determined by a health and dietary assessment performed by a health professional at the time of certification.
An applicant must be income eligible. Families receiving Medicaid, Food Stamps, and TANF are income eligible for the Indiana WIC Program. If you are not a member of these other programs, check the Indiana WIC Income Guidelines to see if your family might qualify.
Applying for WIC in Indiana
If you believe you qualify for Indiana WIC, then the next step is to call your local WIC clinic and schedule an appointment. Or you can contact the state office to have them find the closes WIC clinic for you at 800-522-0874. If you still cannot find a clinic nearby, you can try emailing them inwic@isdh.in.gov. When you call, the staff will be able to answer your questions and get you started with a certification appointment.
What you need for your appointment
Your first appointment is called the certification appointment. You need to bring the following information with you:
- Each person who is applying for WIC
- A parent, guardian, or caretaker of an infant or child who is applying for WIC
- Proof of Identity
- Proof of Address
- Proof of Income
- Immunization Records
How long can I be on WIC?
Indiana 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 IN 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 Indiana 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 Indiana 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 IN 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 Indiana 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 IN 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.
