How to Apply

Need help? If you have difficulty understanding English or have a disability, free language assistance or other aids and services are available upon request. Please contact your Local WIC Clinic agency for more information.

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Who is eligible for the WIC Nutrition Program in Maine?

Pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding parents, as well as infants and children up to age 5, are eligible. They must meet income guidelines, live in Maine, and be individually determined to be at "nutrition risk" by a health professional.

Fathers, legal guardians, adoptive parents, and foster parents can apply on behalf of eligible infants and children in their care.

To be eligible on the basis of income, applicants' income must fall at or below 185 percent of the U.S. Poverty Income Guidelines. A person who receives MaineCare, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits automatically meet the income eligibility requirement.

WIC Prescreening Tool

Find out if you are eligible for the WIC program by clicking on the following link:
https://wic.fns.usda.gov/wps/pages/preScreenTool.xhtml

Income Guidelines

For the period of June 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024, please see Updated Income Eligible Guidelines (PDF).

If you are pregnant, you may count yourself as two household members. Individuals who are certified as eligible for MaineCare, TANF or SNAP are considered automatically income-eligible for WIC.

What is "nutrition risk?"

Two major types of nutrition risk are recognized for WIC eligibility:

  • Medically-based risks such as anemia, underweight, overweight, history of pregnancy complications, or poor pregnancy outcomes
  • Dietary risks, such as failure to meet the dietary guidelines or inappropriate nutrition practices

Nutrition risk is determined by a health professional such as a physician, nutritionist, or nurse, and is based on Federal regulations. This nutrition assessment is free to program applicants.

How do I apply?

Getting WIC benefits is simple. Call your nearest WIC office to make an appointment or Contact Us to Join WIC! and a WIC staff member will call you to set up an appointment. Your first appointment will take about an hour of your time – an hour that can benefit you and your children for the rest of your lives.

What do I need to bring to my first WIC appointment?

We have created a handy checklist (PDF) to help you collect all the necessary pieces of information your WIC officers will need to process your application:

What should I expect at my first WIC appointment?

Your first appointment will take about an hour to determine your eligibility. This includes:

  • Checking your income, residency, and identification
  • Completing a health assessment to determine any nutrition risk, including:
    • Getting height and weight for all applicants
    • Performing iron level screening
    • Reviewing nutrition and health history
  • Reviewing with you your rights and responsibilities as a WIC participant
  • Answering your health and nutrition questions
  • Discussing with you other services you may be eligible for in your community
  • Reviewing the WIC food list and how to use your WIC checks at the store
  • Scheduling follow-up appointments