How to apply for Nebraska WIC
View the steps to apply for the Nebraska WIC program. The Nebraska Department of 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 Nebraska WIC office for assistance.
WIC Prescreening
Before you start the Nebraska 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 Nebraska WIC participants get the following:
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance for Health Foods
NE WIC program provides supplemental nutrition assistance for healthy foods. The foods provided are designed to promote health during pregnancy, infancy, childhood and beyond. The type of food and quantity you get will be listed on your WIC check. The exact amount and types of foods from WIC vary for women, children and infants. The WIC approved foods provided by the program are:
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Whole wheat bread and buns, brown rice, tortillas, and whole grain pasta
- Beans or peanut butter
- Iron fortified cereals
- Milk, cheese, yogurt, and eggs
- Baby food fruits and vegetables
- Baby food meats
- Juice
- Canned tuna and salmon
- Infant formula
Nutrition Education
The NE WIC program provides tips on feeding your family in the healthiest way. The staff assists families with problem solving mealtime or feeding concerns.
Breastfeeding Support
Nebraska WIC supports women who choose to breastfeed. They will answer questions to help clients get started with breastfeeding. WIC staff offer advice to breastfeeding moms getting ready to return to work.
Nebraska WIC Eligibility
The following people are eligible to receive Nebraska WIC benefits:
- Pregnant Women
- Breastfeeding Women
- Newly Delivered Mothers
- Infants
- Children - Up to age 5
- Foster Children - Up to age 5
They also:
- Must live in Nebraska to receive Nebraska WIC benefits
- Meet current income requirements
- Participate in a nutrition and health evaluation to determine nutritional risk
Applying for WIC in Nebraska
To start the application process to receive NE WIC, you need to contact your local WIC clinic to schedule an appointment. There are over 100 clinics in Nebraska, so there's probably one close by.
When you call to make your appointment, the WIC staff can answer any questions you may have about the Nebraska WIC program. The purpose of this appointment is to determine if you are eligible to receive benefits. It only takes about 30-45 minutes. You will need to bring proof of your identification, address, and proof of income to your appointment.
The WIC staff can assist you with filling out the information needed. You do not have to fill out a lot of paperwork. Eligible clients get WIC checks for food on the same day of their appointment.
How long can I be on WIC?
Nebraska 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 NE 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 Nebraska 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 Nebraska 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 NE 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 Nebraska 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 NE 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.
