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Dec
21

How WIC works

Short URL: kingcounty.gov/how-wic-works

Get ready for your visit

  • Review the WIC Rights and Responsibilities
    • Select the link above and then the first item of the page for this topic to see this resource in other languages:
    • English, Amharic, Arabic, Burmese, Chinese, Dari, French, Karen, Korean, Oromo, Pashto, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Tigrinya, Ukrainian, Vietnamese
  • If you are applying for WIC for the first time, or doing your annual visit to renew your WIC services, be ready to:
    • Answer questions about your family size and income
    • Provide proof of identification, address, and/or income
  • Gather paper copies or be ready to access electronic records of recent measurement, bloodwork, and vaccination records for yourself and/or your child.
  • Be ready to answer questions about:
    • Your and/or your child's health and nutrition
  • Be ready to ask any questions you have about:
    • Nutrition and Health
    • Resources your family needs

Want to get nutrition information and ideas AND make your next visit faster?  Complete a lesson at WICHealth.org!

  • Available in English and Spanish only
  • Sitio en español
  • Request the information you need to create a WICHealth account using this form.

Vídeo en español

WIC shopping

Where can benefits be used?

Many local grocery stores and Walgreens pharmacies accept WIC monthly benefits through our WIC Card. Many local farmers markets and farm stands accept WIC fruit and vegetable benefits through the WIC QR code.

  • WIC Shopper app helps simplify shopping for your WIC foods
    Select the link above and then scroll down to the bottom of the page to access other languages:
    • English, Amharic, Arabic, Burmese, Chinese, Korean, Oromo, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Tigrinya, Vietnamese
  • WIC shopping videos
    Select the link above and then change the language pulldown to access other languages.
    • English, Dari, Farsi, French, Pashto, Portuguese, Spanish, Ukrainian
  • How to shop at the Farmers Market or Farm Stand

What foods does the WIC program provide?

  • Foods provided by the WIC program are listed in the Washington WIC Shopping Guide
    Select the link above and then the first item of the page for this topic to see this resource in other languages:
    • English, Amharic, Arabic, Burmese, Chinese, Dari, French, Karen, Korean, Oromo, Pashto, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Tigrinya, Ukrainian, Vietnamese

WIC Foods are high in protein, calcium, iron, or vitamins A & C

  • Baby food – Cereal, fruit, vegetables, and meats
  • Dry or canned beans, peas, or lentils
  • Fortified breakfast cereal
  • Cheese
  • Eggs
  • Fish in cans and pouches
  • Fruits and vegetables
  • 100% fruit juice
  • Milk – Cow, goat and soy
  • Tofu
  • Whole grains: Rice, oatmeal, tortillas, pasta, bread, and buns
  • Tips for buying WIC cereal
    Select the link above and then click on the topic to see this resource in other languages:
    • English, Amharic, Arabic, Burmese, Chinese, Dari, French, Karen, Korean, Oromo, Pashto, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Tigrinya, Ukrainian, Vietnamese

WIC forms

Select the link above and scroll down for the WIC form you need.  Examples include:

  • Release of Information
  • WIC Medical Documentation Forms – When your doctor needs to request a special food or formula
  • Medical Foods and Forms Form – When your doctor needs to request a food or formula that WIC cannot provide

Forms can only be returned completed to your WIC office in-person or via mail or fax.  We cannot accept forms with personal information via e-mail or text.

Forms are available in English, Amharic, Arabic, Burmese, Chinese, Dari, French, Karen, Korean, Oromo, Pashto, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Tigrinya, Ukrainian, Vietnamese

Participant Notification of Agreement

The Public Health – Seattle & King County WIC program may share information with the following other programs or services:

The following Public Health – Seattle & King County Programs:

  • First Steps
  • Primary Care
  • Children with Special Health Care Needs
  • Client Services Specialists
  • Sexual and Reproductive Health
  • Nurse Family Partnership
  • Family Ways
  • Dental
  • Access and Outreach
  • Best Starts for Kids Program


The following community partners

  • HealthPoint
  • Neighborcare
  • Swedish Medical Group

The programs or services listed above shall:

  1. Use the participant information only for one or more of the following purposes:
    • Establishing the eligibility of WIC clients for other programs or services.
    • Conducting outreach to WIC clients for other programs or services.
    • Enhancing the health, education, or well-being of WIC clients who are currently enrolled in other programs or services.
    • Streamlining administrative procedures to minimize burdens on staff or clients in receiving other programs or services.
    • Assessing and evaluating the responsiveness of other programs or services to client's health care needs and outcomes.
  2. Not use the information for any other purpose or disclose the information to a third party.
  3. Ensure confidentiality of the WIC data by agreeing to protect from unauthorized public disclosure any and all information that is shared, according to all applicable laws and regulations.

Non-Discrimination Statement

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at:

https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf , from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant's name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD[1]3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

  1. Mail:
    U.S. Department of Agriculture
    Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
    1400 Independence Avenue, SW
    Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
  2. Fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
  3. Email: program.intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider. Washington WIC doesn’t discriminate.

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