Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
Women, Infants and Children (WIC) is a supplemental healthy food program funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for infants and children up to age five, and pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women.
WIC is an equal opportunity provider.
The Catawba County WIC office can be reached at (828) 695-5884.
To make an appointment, use this online form.
Catawba County WIC offers later clinic appointments twice a month for people who can't make it during regular business hours. Request a late appointment by calling (828) 695-5884.
Referrals and other documents can be faxed to us at (828) 695-5874.
To be eligible, you or your child must:
- Live in North Carolina
- Live in a household with an income at or below WIC guidelines. A person receiving Medicaid, Work First Families Assistance (TANF), or assistance from the NC Food and Nutrition Services (food stamps) automatically meets the income eligibility requirement.
- Be at nutritional risk based on abnormal height and/or weight measurements, have a documented nutrition-related medical condition or have inadequate dietary intake.
To demonstrate eligibility, families will need:
- A current Medicaid card, NC Food and Nutrition Services card (known as Food Stamp Card), Work First (TANF) documentation OR
- Pay check stubs for everyone in the home that works.
- Proof of your physical address where you reside. (If your physical address is different than your mailing address, please bring proof of both.)
- Identification for the person(s) applying for WIC (ie: Medicaid card, social security card, birth certificate, valid driver’s license, DMV issued photo ID).
Clients may be certified to receive services for the following periods of time:
- Pregnant Women: During the pregnancy and up to six weeks postpartum.
- Non-breast feeding postpartum women: Until six months postpartum.
- Breastfeeding postpartum women: 12 months after delivery or if breastfeeding is discontinued, between 6 and 12 months postpartum.
- Infants: Until one year of age (12 months).
- Children: Certified every year after first birthday until they are five years of age.
To find out if your family is eligible, call (828) 695-5884.
To submit paperwork to WIC staff before an appointment, please take a photo of your documentation (proof of income, identification, etc.) and email it to ccwic@catawbacountync.gov.
To make an appointment, use this online form.
eWIC plastic Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards can be used like a “debit” card to purchase WIC-approved foods. eWIC is simple, safe and convenient. Cards are secured with a Personal Identification Number (PIN) and work like a debit card at checkout. The cards will replace paper food vouchers and will be more convenient for families to use while grocery shopping.
Each qualifying family is issued one eWIC card. Participants are instructed on how to use the eWIC card and are given information about approved foods that can be purchased with eWIC cards. Monthly benefit packages are loaded electronically onto the card, which can be used at area WIC-participating grocery and convenience stores. Benefits are debited from the eWIC account as approved foods are purchased from authorized WIC vendors. eWIC allows participants to only buy the foods from their benefit package that they need during a shopping trip. Families will be able to check out faster and won’t have to separate items at the register at most stores.
Approved foods can be identified while shopping by using the Bnft app on a smartphone or by logging in to www.ebtedge.com.
Participants can view their shopping list and check their balance by requesting a copy at the local WIC office, by calling the automated customer service line at 1-844-230-0813, logging on to the participant web portal at www.ebtedge.com, checking the last printed grocery receipt, requesting a balance inquiry at the store, or using the Bnft app on a smart phone.
Find a store that accepts WIC in the participant web portal at www.ebtedge.com.
In addition to providing nutritional guidance and food packages, the WIC office has breastfeeding peer counselors to assist clients who have questions and concerns about breastfeeding. The staff provides encouragement and guidance for breastfeeding, which may include supplies such as manual and electric breast pumps for women who meet the criteria.
Nutritionists are available to answer client questions regarding eating habits to maintain health, gain or lose weight, comply with special diets (ex. diabetes); growth/weight status (over or underweight); anemia and dental care.
Catawba County WIC offers later clinic appointments twice a month for people who can't make it during regular business hours. Request a late appointment by calling (828) 695-5884 or by using our appointment request form.