While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the LIHEAP program and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.

Table of Contents 

What Is the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children?

The Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides federal grants to states for supplemental foods, health care referrals and support, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age five who are found to be at nutritional risk. The WIC program in Maine is administered through the Maine Department of Health and Human Services.

Learn more about WIC in Maine on the Department of Health and Human Services WIC home page here.

What Services Does WIC Provide?

WIC assists women and children by providing nutrition assistance and health support. If you are eligible for WIC, you will be able to access the following services:

  • Nutrition cash assistance
  • Health screenings
  • Breastfeeding information and support
  • Health and nutrition information from licensed dietitians
  • Health and medical referrals

Monthly nutrition assistance benefits are placed on an eWIC card. The eWIC cards are issued to eligible participants after they are approved for the program.

After you receive your eWIC card, you will have to set up your account. You will also need to select a Personal Identification Number (PIN) to complete the setup.

To learn more about WIC services in Maine, click here.

How Much Assistance Does WIC Provide?

After you are accepted into the WIC program, you will be assigned a specific food package category by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services. The food package you will be assigned is dependent on:

  • Who is the participant — infant, child or woman
  • Stage of pregnancy
  • Amount of breastfeeding – whether a mother is fully breastfeeding, partially breastfeeding or not breastfeeding at all (formula feeding)

For women and children, each food package comes with a set list of covered food items and the maximum amount of the food item that will be covered by the program (in ounces or fluid ounces) each month. Items included in food packages for women and children are:

  • Juice
  • Milk
  • Cereal
  • Cheese
  • Eggs
  • Fruits and vegetables
  • Bread
  • Fish
  • Legumes or peanut butter

Infant food packages are provided in the same level of detail but vary based on the age of the infant and how they are fed (breastfed vs. formula fed). Covered food items based on these factors include:

  • Infant cereal
  • Baby food fruits, vegetables and meat
  • Formula

Learn more about WIC Food Packages and Maximum Monthly Allowances here.

Who Can Qualify for WIC in Maine?

To be eligible for WIC in Maine, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Be a resident of Maine,
  • Meet the income limits set by the WIC program, AND
  • Be a woman who is pregnant, who is nursing, or who has had a baby in the last six months OR
  • Be the parent or guardian of a child that is younger than 5 years old.

The WIC income limits are based on the number of members in your household and are categorized by time period. Gross income refers to the total earnings before any taxes are imposed. There is a monthly and annual income limit that households must meet. They are as follows.

Yearly IncomeMonthly Income
Family of 1$26,973$2,248
Family of 2$36,482$3,041
Family of 3$45,991$3,833
Family of 4$55,500$4,625
Family of 5$65,009$5,418
Family of 6$74,518$6,210
Family of 7$84,027$7,003
Family of 8$93,536$7,795
For each additional member, add$9,509$793

Note that pregnant women count as two people within a household.

For more information about WIC eligibility, review the WIC Eligibility page here.

To test your eligibility for WIC benefits, use the WIC Prescreening Tool here. Using the WIC Prescreening Tool is not an application. 

How to Apply for WIC in Maine

To apply for WIC in Maine, complete the following three steps:

  1. Review the eligibility requirements for WIC benefits to see if you qualify.

Learn if you may be eligible for WIC benefits by using the WIC Prescreening Tool here.

  1. Gather documentation related to your household’s finances and medical situation.

Learn what documents and information you need here.

  1. Set up a WIC certification appointment at a local WIC clinic.

You must schedule a WIC certification appointment at a WIC clinic to apply. To set up an appointment by phone, call your local WIC clinic. Your eligibility for WIC benefits will be verified during your appointment.

Click here to find your nearest local WIC clinic and contact information.

If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, contact the Maine Department of Health and Human Services at 1 (207) 287-3991Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

About the WIC Certification Appointment

The WIC certification appointment is the applicant's first appointment at a WIC clinic. The purpose of the certification appointment is to determine your eligibility for WIC benefits. During the certification appointment, applicants will meet with a WIC representative and present all the necessary documents to apply for WIC benefits.

Applicants should bring the following documents to their WIC certification appointment:

  • Identification for you and your children (if applicable)
  • Immunization records for all eligible children (if applicable)
  • Proof of income
  • Proof of pregnancy (if applicable)
  • Proof of address

All applicants, including the mother and all eligible children, must be present at the appointment.

After providing the necessary documentation, trained staff at the WIC clinic will conduct a health exam on each of the applicants to determine if they are at medical or nutritional risk. The assessment will include a blood test, a health questionnaire and measurements of their height and weight.

For more information on what to bring to your WIC appointment, click here.

How to Check Your Application Status

If you apply for WIC in Maine, your eligibility will be determined during your certification appointment at the WIC clinic. You will learn whether you have been approved or denied at the appointment.

However, if your location does not have sufficient funds to serve all eligible applicants, you may be put on a waiting list to receive benefits. In this situation, applicants will receive benefits based on a priority system that gives those in most need earlier access to benefits.

Learn more about the Waiting List here.

Learn more about the WIC Eligibility Priority System here.

What Happens After You Apply for WIC?

After you set up your WIC appointment and apply for benefits at a local WIC clinic, your eligibility will be determined by the representative who processes your application.

If you are approved for benefits, you will receive your check or eWIC card in the mail after being approved. You can use these monetary benefits to purchase WIC-approved foods. For information on what foods you can purchase with your WIC benefits, click here.

You will also be able to access WIC clinic support programs right away, including:

  • Nutrition education
  • Breastfeeding information and support
  • Health referrals

Learn more information about WIC benefits and what to expect from the program on the Maine WIC FAQ page here.

How to Appeal a Denial of WIC Benefits

If your WIC application was denied, you have the right to file an appeal. You can submit the appeal to the Maine Department of Health and Human Services in person or by mail within 60 working days of when you are notified about your ineligibility.

To file an appeal in person, visit a local WIC office. You will need to speak with a representative and tell them why you are appealing your determination. You will also need to bring your benefit determination letter and evidence that supports your appeal. Find your nearest WIC office location here.

To file a claim by mail, you will need to fill out the Notification of Appeal Procedure form here. Submit your appeal request to the following address:
Hearing Examiner, Policy and Compliance
Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention
286 Water Street, 8th Floor
11 State House Station
Augusta, Maine 04333-001 

Learn more information about the appeal process by reviewing the Administrative Hearings page here.

How to Replace a Lost eWIC Card

If your eWIC card is lost, stolen or damaged, you must contact the EBT card customer service team to shut down your eWIC card and request a replacement.

To replace your eWIC card in Maine, call 1 (207) 287-3991 and a replacement will be mailed to the address on your WIC account.

Learn more about the eWIC card here.

Need More Help?

For help with obtaining WIC benefits or for any further questions about the program, call the Maine Department of Health and Human Services at 1 (207) 287-3991Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

You can send an email to the Maine WIC program at WIC.Maine@maine.gov or mail to:
Maine WIC Program
11 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333

To contact the Maine CDC WIC Nutrition Program digitally, click here.

You can also visit or call a local WIC clinic for further assistance. Find your nearest location and contact information here.

If you have questions about your eWIC card, call eWIC customer service at 1 (207) 287-3991.

View or Download Our Free Guide

While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and compiled a guide and these answers to frequently asked questions.  Our goal is to provide you useful information on the process to help you get the benefits you need.

Our free WIC Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, program eligibility and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view our free guide here.

Table of Contents 

How to Apply for WIC in Maine

The Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides federal grants to states for supplemental foods, health care referrals and support, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age five who are found to be at nutritional risk. The WIC program in Maine is administered through the Maine Department of Health and Human Services.

To apply for WIC in Maine, complete the following three steps:

  1. Review the eligibility requirements for WIC benefits to see if you qualify.

Learn if you may be eligible for WIC benefits by using the WIC Prescreening Tool here.

  1. Gather documentation related to your household’s finances and medical situation.

Learn what documents and information you need here.

  1. Set up a WIC certification appointment at a local WIC clinic.

You must schedule a WIC certification appointment at a WIC clinic to apply. To set up an appointment by phone, call your local WIC clinic. Your eligibility for WIC benefits will be verified during your appointment.

Click here to find your nearest local WIC clinic and contact information.

If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, contact the Maine Department of Health and Human Services at 1 (207) 287-3991Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

About the WIC Certification Appointment

The WIC certification appointment is the applicant's first appointment at a WIC clinic. The purpose of the certification appointment is to determine your eligibility for WIC benefits. During the certification appointment, applicants will meet with a WIC representative and present all the necessary documents to apply for WIC benefits.

Applicants should bring the following documents to their WIC certification appointment:

  • Identification for you and your children (if applicable)
  • Immunization records for all eligible children (if applicable)
  • Proof of income
  • Proof of pregnancy (if applicable)
  • Proof of address

All applicants, including the mother and all eligible children, must be present at the appointment.

After providing the necessary documentation, trained staff at the WIC clinic will conduct a health exam on each of the applicants to determine if they are at medical or nutritional risk. The assessment will include a blood test, a health questionnaire and measurements of their height and weight.

For more information on what to bring to your WIC appointment, click here.

How to Check Your Application Status

If you apply for WIC in Maine, your eligibility will be determined during your certification appointment at the WIC clinic. You will learn whether you have been approved or denied at the appointment.

However, if your location does not have sufficient funds to serve all eligible applicants, you may be put on a waiting list to receive benefits. In this situation, applicants will receive benefits based on a priority system that gives those in most need earlier access to benefits.

Learn more about the Waiting List here.

Learn more about the WIC Eligibility Priority System here.

What Happens After You Apply for WIC?

After you set up your WIC appointment and apply for benefits at a local WIC clinic, your eligibility will be determined by the representative who processes your application.

If you are approved for benefits, you will receive your check or eWIC card in the mail after being approved. You can use these monetary benefits to purchase WIC-approved foods. For information on what foods you can purchase with your WIC benefits, click here.

You will also be able to access WIC clinic support programs right away, including:

  • Nutrition education
  • Breastfeeding information and support
  • Health referrals

Learn more information about WIC benefits and what to expect from the program on the Maine WIC FAQ page here.

How to Appeal a Denial of WIC Benefits

If your WIC application was denied, you have the right to file an appeal. You can submit the appeal to the Maine Department of Health and Human Services in person or by mail within 60 working days of when you are notified about your ineligibility.

To file an appeal in person, visit a local WIC office. You will need to speak with a representative and tell them why you are appealing your determination. You will also need to bring your benefit determination letter and evidence that supports your appeal. Find your nearest WIC office location here.

To file a claim by mail, you will need to fill out the Notification of Appeal Procedure form here. Submit your appeal request to the following address:
Hearing Examiner, Policy and Compliance
Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention
286 Water Street, 8th Floor
11 State House Station
Augusta, Maine 04333-001 

Learn more information about the appeal process by reviewing the Administrative Hearings page here.

Need More Help?

For help with obtaining WIC benefits or for any further questions about the program, call the Maine Department of Health and Human Services at 1 (207) 287-3991Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

You can send an email to the Maine WIC program at WIC.Maine@maine.gov or mail to:
Maine WIC Program
11 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333

To contact the Maine CDC WIC Nutrition Program digitally, click here.

You can also visit or call a local WIC clinic for further assistance. Find your nearest location and contact information here.

If you have questions about your eWIC card, call eWIC customer service at 1 (207) 287-3991.

View or Download Our Free Guide

While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.

Our free WIC Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, program eligibility and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view our free guide here.