What to Expect at Your WIC Appointment

If the certification appointment is for your infant or child, bring the infant or child with you. WIC staff will let you know if it is not necessary to bring them.

You may provide proofs to WIC during the application process or at the certification appointment. Contact your local WIC office if you are unsure if you already provided the required proofs.

PROOF OF IDENTITY

Provide proof of identity for each person certified; examples include:

• Baptismal Certificate
• Birth Certificate
• Crib Card
• Driver's License
• Health Benefits Card
• Passport
• Pay Stub
• Photo ID, School ID, State ID, or Work ID
• Social Security Card
• Social Service Benefits Card
• Tribal ID
• Voter Registration Card

PROOF OF ADDRESS

Provide proof of address for your household. The item provided must show your current address; examples include:

• Bill with billing address included
• Driver's License or State ID
• Lease or Rental Agreement
• Mail Addressed to You
• Pay Stub (Paper or electronic)
• Rent Receipt
• Statement from Employer
• Statement from Landlord

PROOF OF INCOME

Provide proof of participation in an adjunctive eligibility program or provide documentation of household income.

• Proof of participation in adjunctive eligibility program
  • Medical Assistance (MA)
  • Minnesota Care
  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
  • MN Family Investment Program (MFIP)
  • Fuel Assistance Program
  • Head Start
  • Reduced or Free School Meals (federal program)
  • Social Security
• Proof of Household Income – If not participating in an adjunctive eligibility program, provide proof of income for each income source in your household. Proof of Income may include:
  • Pay Stub or Statement from Employer
  • Child Support Payments/Letter
  • Social Security
  • Pension or Annuity
  • Tax Form (Farm or Self-employment)
  • Unemployment
  • Veteran's Payment
  • W-2 Form

As a prevention program, WIC checks growth and screens for anemia. WIC will take the following measurements at your certification appointment:

• Weight
• Height or length
• Hemoglobin - Hemoglobin is checked by a qualified professional to screen for anemia. It involves a simple finger stick for women, children, and infants 9 months or older.

WIC will ask questions about your health and nutrition to help identify how we can best serve your family.

WIC will ask questions about your health and nutrition to help identify how we can best serve your family.

• Nutrition Education – Ask questions of Nutrition experts! Learn about healthy eating during pregnancy; infant nutrition and feeding; and ideas for feeding toddlers and preschoolers.
• Breastfeeding Support – Get answers to your breastfeeding questions. Learn how to continue breastfeeding when you return to school or work. WIC provides extra foods for breastfeeding moms!
• WIC Foods – Receive nutritious foods that are rich in important nutrients like protein, iron, zinc, folate, calcium, vitamins C and D.
• Referrals to other program and services – Identify other programs to support your family’s needs.

A WIC certification appointment takes about 30-40 minutes for each person with an appointment.

CERTIFICATION APPOINTMENTS

• Pregnant women are certified for the length of pregnancy.
• Breastfeeding women are certified for up to 1 year after delivery, depending on length of time breastfeeding. They have a short health/nutrition screening appointment at 6 or 9 months later.
• Women who are not breastfeeding are certified for 6 months after delivery.
• Infants are certified to their first birthday. Infants have a short health/nutrition screening appointment at 9 months of age.
• Children are certified for a year at a time, up to their 5th birthday. Children have a short health/nutrition screening appointment midway through each year.

WIC cares about you! In addition to these certification appointments, about every 3 months, WIC staff will check in to discuss nutrition, breastfeeding, WIC foods, and more, and to add the next months’ benefits to the electronic WIC card.