How to apply for Kansas WIC

View the steps to apply for the Kansas WIC program. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment 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 Kansas WIC office for assistance.

WIC Prescreening

Before you start the Kansas 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 Kansas WIC program provide:

Personalized nutrition information and support
Checks to buy healthy food
Tips for eating well to improve health
Referrals for services that can benefit the whole family
Offers immunization screening and referral
Breastfeeding support
Nutrition and health classes on a variety of topics

Kansas WIC Eligibility

People who are eligible for KS WIC are:

Pregnant
Breastfeeding, up to baby's first birthday
Non-breastfeeding mothers, up to six months after baby's birth
Infants and children under five years old

Applying for WIC in Kansas

Clients must meet the Kansas WIC Income Guidelines and have a medical or nutritional need. Many working people are eligible for WIC and don't realize it. To get the application process started for Kansas WIC benefits, call your local WIC agency to schedule an appointment.

What you need for your appointment

You will need to bring the following items with you to your appointment:

Proof of Identity
Proof of ID for Child
Proof of Residency
Proof of Household Income for all people living in your house
Completed Diet Questionnaires

At the appointment there will be a brief review of foods you eat, medical history and current health status to determine the medical or nutritional need. If you or your child is found eligible for Kansas WIC benefits, the appointment will also include nutrition education.

Client Portal

The Kansas WIC client portal allows participants to login and view the current benefits, view and schedule their appointments and view and manage their current nutritional goals. If you have an account, then click here to log in.

Kansas eWIC System

Kansas now uses the eWIC System. Instead of receiving paper checks or vouchers, you will now receive a Kansas WIC EBT (Electronic benefit transfer) card. When purchasing WIC approved foods at your local grocery store, you would give the cashier your KS WIC EBT card. They will swipe it like a debit or credit card and it will deduct the amount from your WIC balance. You also do not have to go to your local WIC clinic to get more paper vouchers or checks. Each month your benefits will electronically refill on your card.

Check Kansas WIC EBT Card Balance

You can check your account balance several ways:

Review your last cash register receipt
Visit the Kansas Client Portal
Use the WIC Shopper app
Visit EBTEdge.com
Call the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system at 844-892-2934

What should I do if my card is lost or stolen?
Call your local WIC clinic right away. If after business hours, leave a message and the staff will contact you on the next business day.

How long can I be on WIC?

Kansas 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 KS 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 Kansas 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 Kansas 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 KS 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 Kansas 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 KS 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.