Are you new to the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program and looking for local WIC stores? You probably know that most grocery stores accept WIC, but did you know some national retailers like Target and Walmart do, too?
Thankfully, federal and local governments are making it much easier to shop with a WIC card. I’m here to break down which national stores accept WIC and what you need to know about each store’s checkout process to use it.
Keep in mind that even if a certain retailer accepts WIC, your state may not list the retailer as an approved option. For example, you can use WIC at CVS stores in New York and Michigan, but you can’t use it at CVS stores in California.
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1. Download the WICShopper app to locate WIC stores near you.
The WICShopper app supports several state WIC programs. Once you download the app (iOS / Android), you can find WIC stores near you and scan specific items while shopping to see if they’re WIC eligible.
The app may also let you track your benefits, depending on where you live. If you live in a “verification only” state, you can only scan items to see if they’re eligible; the app won’t keep track of or display your benefits.
Here are the states and tribes where you can use the WICShopper app:
- Alaska
- Chickasaw Nation
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Intertribal Council of Arizona
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana (Verification only)
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania (Verification only)
- Pleasant Point Passamaquoddy Reservation
- Rhode Island (Verification only)
- Tennessee
- Utah
- Vermont (Verification only)
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
- Z-ITC Nevada
2. Download a state app to locate WIC stores.
If you live in a state not listed above, you can download a state WIC app to help find your local WIC stores.
Here are the links to download each state’s app:
- Alabama
- Arizona (iOS / Android)
- Arkansas (iOS / Android)
- California
- Delaware (iOS / Android)
- Georgia (no app available)
- Illinois (no app available)
- Indiana
- Michigan
- Minnesota (iOS) (Android)
- Mississippi (iOS / Android)
- New Mexico (no app available)
- New York (iOS / Android)
- North Carolina (iOS / Android)
- South Carolina (no app available)
- South Dakota
- Texas
- Virginia (no app available)
- Wisconsin
3. Does CVS accept WIC?
Yes, all CVS stores accept WIC, as long as CVS is on your state’s list of approved retailers. But at CVS, WIC-eligible items have to be rung up separately from non-eligible items.
Here’s why: the cashier has to scan each WIC item through a special WIC scanner to see what funds you have available and the number of items you can buy. Then the items are scanned through their regular store scanner.
You can use self-checkout to purchase WIC-eligible items, too, but you can’t make online CVS purchases using your WIC card. You must use another form of payment for that.
Related: See the latest CVS coupons and deals.
4. Does Walmart accept WIC?
Yes, Walmart accepts WIC payments at all locations through their regular checkout line. The best part? They’ve recently updated their system so that you can use your WIC card in the self-checkout lines, too.
And you don’t have to separate your WIC items from any other items during checkout. Pay with WIC first, then use your other form of payment.
Related: See the latest Walmart coupons and deals.
5. Does Dollar General accept WIC?
Sort of. Most Dollar General stores don’t accept WIC, but a couple of them do. Check with your local store to see if it does.
Related: See the latest Dollar General coupons and deals.
6. Does Walgreens accept WIC?
Yes, you can use your WIC card at all Walgreens locations. You don’t need to do separate transactions either — just pay with your WIC card, check, or voucher first, then use your other form of payment.
Related: See the latest Walgreens coupons and deals.
7. Does Aldi accept WIC?
No, Aldi doesn’t accept WIC because they don’t carry the national brand of formula required by WIC that would qualify them for the program.
Related: See the latest Aldi coupons and deals.
8. Does Target accept WIC?
Yes, you can use your WIC card at Target stores nationwide. If you’re checking out with a cashier, you don’t need to separate your items; just pay with WIC first. But if you’re using self-checkout, you need to separate your WIC items and run those through first.
Related: See the latest Target coupons and deals.
WIC Stores FAQs
1. Can I order WIC grocery delivery?
It depends. If you’re shopping through Instacart, then yes, you can order grocery delivery from a WIC-approved retailer in your state. For other delivery sites, the answer is no.
2. Can I use my WIC card to shop online or over the phone for in-store or curbside pickup?
Yes, you can use your WIC card for pickup as long as you enter your WIC card PIN when you pick up your groceries to finish your transaction. You can’t use your WIC card to complete the checkout process online.
3. Can I charge my pickup fees to my WIC card?
No. Any pickup fees are separate and must be paid for using a different method.
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