WIC Rights & Responsibilities

Nutrition Education. WIC offers tips and advice to help you feed your family in a healthy way.

Information. We help you find health care, immunizations, and other programs.

WIC foods. We give you a WIC Card to purchase healthy foods.

Equal Treatment. WIC and store staff treat you the same regardless of your race, color, age, national origin, disability, or sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation). If you feel you have been discriminated against, you may file a complaint with USDA.

Access. Tell us if you need an interpreter – free interpreter services are available. If you have a disability, accommodations will be made.

Fairness. You may ask for a hearing if you do not agree with WIC staff about your eligibility for WIC.

Use of Information. The information you give WIC is private. It will be used to decide if you or your child is eligible for WIC and how best to serve you. Without complete information, we might not be able to certify you for WIC. The information may be shared only with people directly connected with WIC, unless you sign a consent. It may also be used for reports and audits, but your name will not be used.

Moving to another state? Your WIC services will continue there. Tell us before you go and we’ll give you a transfer notice to take with you.

Keep Appointments. Please call your WIC clinic if you need to reschedule.

Common courtesy. Treat WIC and store staff with respect and courtesy.

Use your WIC card correctly. This means:

• Shop at WIC-approved stores.

• Buy only foods listed on your shopping list.

• Buy WIC allowed foods within the dates specified on your shopping list.

• Do not sell, or offer to sell, trade, or give away your WIC card, foods, breastpump or formula.

• Do not exchange or return WIC foods or formula for cash, credit, or items of the same value.

• Notify WIC if your card is lost, stolen, or destroyed.

• Keep your WIC card and PIN safe. Only share your PIN with those you allow to use your card.

• Get a WIC card from only one WIC clinic at a time.

• Explain the rules and how to use the WIC Card to your WIC proxies.

Honesty. If you hide or give false information to get WIC benefits, you might be taken off the program, have to pay back money for food you should not have received, or face legal charges.