WIC (Woman Infants & Children) Arkansas Department of Health

WIC (Women, Infants & Children)

Arkansas WIC is here for you during COVID-19!

If your income has recently changed due to COVID-19 or you have any questions about WIC services, please call your Local County Health Unit for information before visiting. WIC clinics have procedures to help you get WIC benefits as quickly and safely as possible. See below for detailed information on WIC eligibility and income guidelines.

WIC is the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children. Arkansas WIC is a program within the Arkansas Department of Health. The main focus of WIC is educating families about proper nutrition for babies, young children, and expectant and new mothers.

WIC provides:

Supplemental foods high in nutrients needed for growth and development.
Nutrition education to improve diet and health habits.
Information, support, and encouragement for breastfeeding.
Referrals for other health services.

Pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants, and children under age 5 may qualify if they live in Arkansas, have a nutritional need, and an income at or below WIC guidelines, or receive Medicaid, ARKids, TEA or SNAP (Food Stamps). image of pregnant mother and daughter

Information about WIC can be obtained from any local county health unit between the hours of 8:00am and 4:30pm, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. On Tuesdays, the hours are 9:30am until 6:00pm.

Who is Eligible and How to Apply

Who is Eligible?

Pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants and children under age five are eligible for WIC if they:

Meet Income Guidelines - WIC income guidelines are set at 185% of poverty and are revised each year. Applicant must provide proof of income. Examples are: current check stubs, W-2 forms, most current income tax return, proof of eligibility for Medicaid (including ARKids), TEA, SNAP (food stamps).
Have a Nutritional Need - Conditions such as anemia, certain medical disorders, weight (over- or under- weight, weight in relation to height, etc.) number and /or frequency of pregnancies are examples of the factors that are considered in a nutritional assessment. A nurse or other professional performs this assessment in the local health unit.
Live in Arkansas - Applicants must provide proof of residency. Examples of proof of residency can be a current utility, cable or phone bill, a current mortgage or rent receipt, proof of Arkansas Medicaid, TEA or SNAP (food stamps).

How to apply

WIC is available at all Local Health Units in Arkansas, satellite clinics and four WIC-only Clinics. You can apply for and receive WIC in any county in Arkansas. You must call to make an appointment. At your appointment, WIC staff will check to see if you are eligible.

What do I bring to a WIC appointment?

ID for yourself and each child
Proof you are an Arkansas resident
Proof of income
Bring any children you are applying for

If you have questions or need more information about applying for WIC, please contact your local county health unit, or call the State WIC Office at 501-661-2508 or 1-800-462-0599, or e-mail.

Language Interpreter Services and Other Service Accommodations

Do you need language interpreter services or other service accommodations? Please let WIC staff know what type of service you need.

State Plan of Operations

For a copy of the annual Arkansas WIC state plan of operations or to send comments, please e-mail wic.program@arkansas.gov

Nondiscrimination Statement

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online here, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

Mail:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
Fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
Email: program.intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.