How to apply for South Carolina WIC

View the steps to apply for the South Carolina WIC program. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control 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 South Carolina WIC office for assistance.

WIC Prescreening

Before you start the South Carolina 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 South Carolina WIC program provides:

Monthly checks to buy healthy food
Personalized nutrition information and support
Breastfeeding support, including one-on-one counseling with a mother who has breastfed
Referrals for services that can benefit the whole family

The SC WIC program also offers immunization screening and referral, infant formula, breastfeeding support, and nutrition and health classes on a variety of topics including meal planning, caring for a new baby, steps toward better health, and more.

Applying for WIC in South Carolina

To start the application process for SC WIC benefits simply call 855-472-3432 or contact your local WIC clinic and schedule an appointment. WIC has day, evening, and Saturday appointments available. WIC even has walk-in hours. At your appointment the WIC staff will determine if you are eligible to receive South Carolina WIC benefits.

Remember, please bring the family members applying for the SC WIC program to the appointment (you, your child and/or your infant). If the appointment is for a child, only a parent or legal caretaker who lives with the child can bring the child and complete the paperwork.

What you need for your appointment

At your appointment, you will need to bring the information listed below:

Proof of Identity
Bring at least one form of identification (ID) for yourself and one form of ID for your infant or child who is applying for WIC.

For adults applying below is a list of acceptable proof of identity:

Valid driver's license
Valid ID card with photo
Current bill with name on it
Valid insurance card/policy
Active SC Medicaid card or notice of eligibility
Valid passport
Valid US military identification
Social Security card
Marriage license
Valid school ID
Voter registration card
Valid SC DMV ID with photo
Current pay stub with name
Valid beginner's permit
Valid SC WIC ID card

For infants and children:

Birth certificate
Social Security card
Current foster child placement letter/notice
Valid school ID
Active SC Medicaid card or notice of eligibility
Valid SC WIC ID card

Proof of Residency
Bring in one item that proves where you live. The item must show your street address. Post Office (PO) box numbers will not be accepted. Proof of residency documents that WIC accepts:

Valid SC driver's license with current street address
Car registration/title
Current bank statement
Mortgage or rental agreement
Valid SC DMV ID card with current street address
Pay stub or military leave and earnings statement (LES) with street address
Current bill with street address
Voter registration card
Valid SC beginner's permit with current street address
Tax document (most recent) for the self-employed only
Current letter from a reliable third party (such as a social worker, landlord, etc.) confirming your address

Proof of Income
Please bring the last 4 weeks of pay stubs if paid weekly or the last 2 pay stubs if paid twice per month as proof of income for everyone living in your home for the last 30 days. Some of the proofs that WIC accepts:

Active SC Medicaid card or notice of eligibility
Valid SNAP notice of eligibility (An EBT card is not considered acceptable proof)
Valid TANF notice of eligibility
Current pay stubs
Regular cash contributions: bring a signed/dated letter from any person (not living in the household) who regularly contributes income to the household
Unemployment letter/notice or Workers Compensation letter
Recent leave and earnings statement (LES) for military personnel
Foster child placement letter/foster parent award letter showing the amount received for foster care
Court order or divorce decree showing alimony and/or child support
Self-employed only - Recent 1040ES quarterly tax form or company account books or 1040 form for the past year
Statement from employer dated within 30 days of the appointment

Part of qualifying for SC WIC benefits is through the income guidelines. To see if you meet the income requirements, view the South Carolina WIC Income Guidelines. Once you had your meeting and the staff has determined that you are eligible to receive South Carolina WIC benefits, this is what will happen once you are approved:

You'll receive personalized nutritional counseling
Their professional WIC staff will assign you a food package that provides participant-specific nutritious foods in quantities that meet your needs. The food package assigned to breastfeeding mothers provides the largest variety and amounts of foods
You'll be able to get these foods by using checks given to you by the staff. You can redeem the checks in WIC-approved grocery stores and Farmers Markets
You will be WIC-certified for a set length of time
You'll receive nutrition education. This is an important part of the South Carolina WIC program. They will offer both individual and group education sessions throughout your certification period

How long can I be on WIC?

South Carolina 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 SC 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 South Carolina 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 South Carolina 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 SC 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 South Carolina 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 SC 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.