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.

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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 Missouri is administered through the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS).

Learn more about WIC in Missouri on the Department of Health and Senior 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. Call 1 (800) 554-2544 to begin the process. You will need to select a Personal Identification Number (PIN) to complete the setup.

The eWIC card functions like a debit card, allowing participants to swipe their card and enter their PIN to complete a transaction at participating vendors. You can find stores that accept WIC benefits near you by downloading the WICShopper App here.

The WICShopper App also provides information on all the food items you can purchase with your WIC benefits.

To learn more about WIC services in Missouri, 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 Missouri Department of Health and Senior 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 Missouri?

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

  • Be a resident of Missouri,
  • 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 Income Guidelines 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 Missouri

To apply for WIC in Missouri, 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. Click here to find your nearest local WIC clinic and contact information. You can also call TEL-LINK at 1 (800) 835-5466 for assistance in finding a local WIC agency.

Your eligibility for WIC benefits will be verified during your appointment.

If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, contact the Missouri WIC office at 1 (573) 751-6204  or 1 (800) 392-8209 (toll-free)or send an email to WICinfo@health.mo.gov.

Call the WIC Participants Support Line at 1 (800) 392-8209 if you cannot get in contact with your local WIC clinic.

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 Missouri, your eligibility will be determined during your certification appointment at the WIC clinic. You will not need to wait to find out if your application is approved.

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 and 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 Missouri 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 Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services in person, by phone or by mail within 60 days of when you are notified about your ineligibility.

To file an appeal in person, visit a local DHSS 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 DHSS office location here.

To file a claim by phone, call 1 (800) 392-8209.

To file a claim by mail, you will need to write a letter that includes the following information:

  • Your name
  • Your address
  • Your phone number
  • The reason for your appeal
  • Your desired solution for how the Department of Health and Senior Services should remedy the situation

You must also enclose a copy of your determination letter when filing an appeal by mail. Submit your appeal request to the following address:
Nutrition Services & WIC
P.O. Box 570
Jefferson City, MO 65102

Learn more information about the appeal process by reviewing the Appeal and Fair Hearing WIC Program PDF provided by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services 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 Missouri, call the Missouri WIC Information Network System at 1 (800) 554-2544 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 Missouri WIC office at 1 (573) 751-6204  or 1 (800) 392-8209 (toll-free)or send an email to WICinfo@health.mo.gov.

You can also fax the Missouri WIC program at 1 (573) 526-1470 or send documents to:
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
P.O. Box 570
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0570

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 the Missouri WIC Information Network System at 1 (800) 554-2544.

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 Missouri

To apply for WIC in Missouri, 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. Click here to find your nearest local WIC clinic and contact information. You can also call TEL-LINK at 1 (800) 835-5466 for assistance in finding a local WIC agency.

Your eligibility for WIC benefits will be verified during your appointment.

If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, contact the Missouri WIC office at 1 (573) 751-6204  or 1 (800) 392-8209 (toll-free)or send an email to WICinfo@health.mo.gov.

Note: Currently, in-person applications have been suspended at some local agencies due to the COVID-19 pandemic. WIC agencies may still offer by-phone, drive-up, mail-in and online options. Call your local WIC clinic for more details. Clinic contact information is available here.

Call the WIC Participants Support Line at 1 (800) 392-8209 if you cannot get in contact with your local WIC clinic.

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 Missouri, your eligibility will be determined during your certification appointment at the WIC clinic. You will not need to wait to find out if your application is approved.

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 and 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 Missouri 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 Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services in person, by phone or by mail within 60 days of when you are notified about your ineligibility.

To file an appeal in person, visit a local DHSS 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 DHSS office location here.

To file a claim by phone, call 1 (800) 392-8209.

To file a claim by mail, you will need to write a letter that includes the following information:

  • Your name
  • Your address
  • Your phone number
  • The reason for your appeal
  • Your desired solution for how the Department of Health and Senior Services should remedy the situation

You must also enclose a copy of your determination letter when filing an appeal by mail. Submit your appeal request to the following address:
Nutrition Services & WIC
P.O. Box 570
Jefferson City, MO 65102

Learn more information about the appeal process by reviewing the Appeal and Fair Hearing WIC Program PDF provided by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services here.

Need More Help?

For help with obtaining WIC benefits or for any further questions about the program, call the Missouri WIC office at 1 (573) 751-6204  or 1 (800) 392-8209 (toll-free)or send an email to WICinfo@health.mo.gov.

You can also fax the Missouri WIC program at 1 (573) 526-1470 or send documents to:
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
P.O. Box 570
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0570

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 the Missouri WIC Information Network System at 1 (800) 554-2544.

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.