How to apply for Mississippi WIC

View the steps to apply for the Mississippi WIC program. The Mississippi 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 Mississippi WIC office for assistance.

WIC Prescreening

Before you start the Mississippi 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 Mississippi WIC benefits provide:

A monthly package of delicious, nutritious foods
Valuable tips on healthy eating
Health care referrals
Breastfeeding support

Mississippi WIC Food Package

The MS WIC food package provides nutritious foods to supplement regular meals. At no cost to you, you can choose some or all of the following:

Eggs
Beans
Cheese
Baby formula
Peanut butter
White and chocolate milks
Hot and cold cereals
A selection of 100% fruit juices
Canned tuna for breastfeeding mothers
Whole wheat bread and tortillas
Fresh and canned fruits and vegetables
Baby food fruits and vegetables
Baby food meats for breastfed infants

Mississippi WIC Eligibility

To be eligible for the MS WIC program, a woman, infant, or child must meet the income guidelines and be at medical or nutritional risk. Low iron levels in the blood (anemia), underweight, overweight, or poor diet are typical examples. A nurse or nutritionist will determine if an applicant is eligible for the WIC program. You can check your income against the Mississippi WIC Income Guidelines to see if you may qualify. If you receive TANF, Food Stamps or Medicaid, you automatically meet WIC income guidelines.

Applying for WIC in Mississippi

To start the application process for MS WIC benefits, you need to contact your local WIC clinic and schedule an appointment. Parents not wanting to bring their newborns in to the WIC clinic have a 60-day period during which the newborn must be seen at the WIC clinic.

What you need for your appointment

Applicants must bring proof of income, residence, and identification to their WIC appointment.

Proof of income
Below is a list of items you can bring to prove your income:

A current pay stub less than 60 days old
A signed statement from an employer indicating gross income earnings for a specified pay period
Current W-2 forms
An income tax return for the most current year
Proof of Medicaid, TANF, or Food Stamps

Proof of residence
Below is a list of items you can bring to prove where you live:

Pieces of mail that include the client's current address
A valid driver's license with the current address
A mortgage/rental agreement

Proof of identification
Below is a list of examples to bring that can proof your identification:

A valid driver license
A social security card
A valid US passport
A current shot record
A military ID
A newborn crib card

If you have additional questions or issues, or if you are having issues making an appointment, then call 800-338-6747.

How long can I be on WIC?

Mississippi 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 MS 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 Mississippi 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 Mississippi 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 MS 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 Mississippi 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 MS 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.