Georgia WIC

The requirements for WIC participation have not changed. Georgia WIC serves income-eligible women, infants, and children in the following categories:

• Infants and Children age 1 to 5 years (including foster children)
• Pregnant Women
• Breastfeeding Mothers (up to 1 year)
• Postpartum Women (up to 6 months)

To find out if you qualify for WIC, go online to take the WIC Eligibility Assessment.

If you want to know about eligibility for other food, financial or medical assistance programs such as SNAP, TANF or Medicaid, please visit the Georgia Gateway website at https://gateway.ga.gov/access/ to create an account and apply for services.

WIC is available on Georgia Gateway!

Applicants can complete the Georgia WIC application online and will be contacted by phone to schedule an appointment for the Nutrition assessment and voucher issuance portion of the eligibility process or to provide additional information to complete the application. Online applications can be completed anytime via https://gateway.ga.gov. The application is available twenty-four hours a day. Applications are processed Monday-Friday, during regular business hours.

Many WIC clinic locations are also able to complete applications and other services remotely by phone. Applicants and current participants are encouraged to contact their local clinic or call center directly to schedule an appointment by phone. For assistance in determining which WIC clinic to call, applicants may contact 1-800-228-9173.

For assistance with determining which WIC clinics are open, contact your WIC clinic using the number on the back of the WIC folder, or you may call 1-800-228-9173.

Georgia WIC is following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for COVID-19, including social distancing. Many clinics are limiting the number of people that can come into the clinic at one time and providing phone and drive-up services. Families are encouraged to contact their local WIC clinic for updates on operations and procedures.

Georgia WIC was also granted a physical presence waiver to assist with completing some WIC services without the need for a participant or applicant to visit the WIC clinic. This includes the required height and weight measurements, as well as lab screenings which are waived as part of the physical presence waiver. If a WIC participant has had a recent doctor's visit, though it is not required, the medical provider can fax measurement and lab information to the WIC clinic using the patient's visit summary or other applicable medical record documentation.

The WIC clinic may be able to reschedule your appointment and extend your benefits for one additional month. Clinics may also be able to complete your visit over the phone. If WIC is unable to extend your benefits, you can reschedule the missed appointment. Benefits will resume once the appointment is complete. For specific information regarding your appointment, contact your WIC clinic using the number on the back of the WIC folder, or you may call 1-800-228-9173 for further assistance.

Georgia WIC continues to support participants throughout the state while respecting the CDC’s social distancing guidelines. Many clinics are providing the option to mail vouchers for participants actively enrolled in the program. If you would like to request to have your vouchers mailed or obtain specific information regarding the receipt of vouchers, contact your WIC clinic using the number on the back of the WIC folder, or you may call 1-800-228-9173 for further assistance.

Vouchers must be redeemed at a WIC authorized vendor store location. There are no options to have WIC food items delivered to the participant. If participants are unable to go to the store, they may authorize a new alternate or alternate/proxy to pick up food benefits and/or redeem them at the grocery store. The WIC participant must simply notify their WIC clinic of the update and the authorized person must sign their name on the WIC folder.

Vouchers must be signed, at the grocery store and in the presence of the cashier, by an authorized person listed on their WIC folder. If vouchers are signed prior to being redeemed, or by someone not listed on the folder, a participant risks losing the food benefits provided on the voucher.

Georgia WIC is making temporary changes to the approved foods list for specified categories if the currently approved item is out of stock at the store. The following food categories will have these temporary changes:

• Milk: Any fat content milk including fat-free/skim, 1%, 2%, and/or whole milk up to one gallon. Participants should choose the fat content closest to their issued milk.
• Eggs: Any brand and size in dozen and half dozen packaging. Exceptions include organic, low cholesterol, free-range, pasture-raised, natural cage-free, cage-free, enriched colony, vegetarian-fed, or added Omega 3, DHA, or ARA.
• Whole Grains: Any WIC approved brand of:
  • Bread in package sizes up to 24 ounces
  • Pasta, tortillas, and brown rice in package sizes up to 16 ounces

Georgia WIC continues to support and encourage breastfeeding during the COVID-19 pandemic. Contacting your WIC office is the best way to get the support you need for breastfeeding during this time.

If you have questions or concerns about breastmilk safety or how to safely pump/express breastmilk for your baby, please visit the links below for guidance provided by the CDC and Medela, the manufacturer of Georgia WIC’s breast pumps.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/pregnancy-breastfeeding.html

https://www.medela.com/breastfeeding/mums-journey/covid-19-information-concerning-breastfeeding

If you cannot find the formula listed on your vouchers in the store, we recommend that you first check with a store manager or store employee to determine if the issued formula is in the stock room. You should also ask when the store expects the next delivery of the formula. If you are unable to get the information requested or obtain formula in a timely manner, contact 1-800-228-9173 for further assistance.

Special Formula:

Participants with diagnosed medical conditions who are receiving special formula through Georgia WIC may be able to pick up their prescribed formula from a local WIC clinic. If you or your child have been prescribed a special formula, contact your local WIC clinic for more information about this process.

Receiving a special formula requires documentation from a medical provider. Georgia WIC is not able to arrange clinic pick-up for the following products:

• Enfamil Infant
• Enfamil Prosobee
• Enfamil Gentlease
• Enfamil 24
• Enfamil A.R.
• EnfaGrow Premium Toddler Transitions
• EnfaGrow Toddler Transitions Gentlease