How to apply for Montana WIC

View the steps to apply for the Montana WIC program. The Montana Department of Public Health and Human 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 Montana WIC office for assistance.

WIC Prescreening

Before you start the Montana 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.

Montana WIC Eligibility

The MT WIC applicant must meet eligibility criteria for category, identity, residency, income and be at nutrition risk.

Categorical Requirement
The applicant must fit into one of the following categories:

  • Women who are pregnant
  • Women who are breastfeeding or postpartum
  • Infants (0 months to 1 year)
  • Children (1 year to up to 5 years)

Identification Requirement
Identity will be documented and scanned for each applicant at initial certification appointment and reviewed at all visits. Identity for authorized representatives/proxies will be documented and scanned at certification, or before benefits are issued. Documents acceptable for identification include:

  • Driver's License/State ID
  • Birth Certificate/Certificate of Live Birth
  • Passport
  • Green Card
  • Social Security Card
  • Social Services Card (HMK Plus, SNAP or TANF)
  • Tribal ID Card or Tribal Enrollment Letter
  • Crib Card
  • Hospital Identification (bracelet)
  • Immunization Card
  • School or work ID Card
  • Pay Stubs
  • Voter Registration Card
  • Health Benefits (Insurance Card)

Residency Requirement
Applicants applying for Montana WIC will live in Montana and receive services in the region in which they reside with the following exceptions:

  • In the case of Reservations or regions overlapping, participants may choose the location for their WIC services
  • In the event a participant resides in one Montana WIC Program region and works or receives their healthcare in another, the participants may choose to receive WIC services in either location
  • In the event a participant resides in another State and works or receives their healthcare in Montana or whose location is physically nearer to WIC services in Montana the participant may choose to receive WIC services in either location

Documentation of residency can be:

  • Recent pay stub
  • Driver's License (if address is same as that reported)
  • Recent bank statement
  • Rental agreement
  • Mortgage statement
  • City/County Address Coordinator or other authorized designee
  • Hospital certificate of live birth
  • Any form of mail with an applicant/participant's physical address
  • If the above cannot be obtained, a note from a 3rd party verify may be used

Income Requirement
Income eligibility is implemented in conjunction with Medicaid Income Guidelines. To determine eligibility, view the Montana WIC Income Guidelines.

Applying for WIC in Montana

To get the application process started for the Montana WIC program, you will need to find your local WIC clinic and schedule an appointment. The staff will then determine if you are eligible to receive MT WIC benefits. Please note, WIC in Montana does not require proof of pregnancy.

WIC Client Portal

To view your current Montana WIC EBT card balance, purchase history and other information about your benefits, go to their online portal at MyBnft.com. Or you can call customer service at 844-583-3237.

Montana eWIC System

Montana uses the eWIC system. This replaces paper checks and vouchers with the Montana WIC EBT (Electronic benefit transfer) Card. When you are purchasing WIC approved foods at your local grocery store, you would hand the cashier your MT WIC EBT card at checkout. They will then swipe the card like a credit or debit card and their POS system will deduct the amount from your WIC balance. Also, each month, instead of having to go down to your local WIC clinic to pick up more paper checks or vouchers, your Montana EBT WIC card is automatically refilled each month electronically.

PIN/Card Replacement
If the PIN has been forgotten or the card needs to be cancelled and/or replaced, call Customer Service at 844-583-3237or log on to MyBnft.com to change the PIN.

How long can I be on WIC?

Montana 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 MT 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 Montana 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 Montana 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 MT 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 Montana 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 MT 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.