How To Apply For WIC In Tennessee

Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, also know as WIC, is a program that is designed to help low-income pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, infants, and children 5 years old or younger who are at nutritional risk. The Tennessee WIC program accomplishes this by providing nutritious foods to supplement diets, information that can help provide healthy eating options including breastfeeding, and referrals to health care. If you are looking to know how to apply for WIC in Tennessee, then read the information provided below.

Tennessee WIC Eligibility Requirements
WIC is available only for:

• Pregnant women
• Postpartum women
• Breastfeeding women
• Infants up to age of 1 year
• Children up to age of 5 years

You can also use the WIC Prescreening Tool to see if you might be eligible for WIC.

Apart from meeting categorical requirements, the applicants will also have to meet the following basic eligibility requirements for the program.

• Be a U.S citizen or a legal immigrant
• Be a resident of Tennessee
• Meet income guidelines for the program
• Be at nutritional risk

What to bring for your first WIC appointment
Documents to show at your first visit to WIC (certification) include proof of identity (for all applicants), proof of household income, and proof of Tennessee residency. Prenatal applicants must show proof of pregnancy. In addition, applicants must be present at certification. Call our office if you have questions due to unusual circumstances.

Periodically you will have to show proofs again. WIC staff will always inform you when you need to bring required paperwork to recertification visits. Review your paperwork ahead of time so you arrive prepared and can receive WIC benefits with no interruption.

Proof of identity options: bring just one item for each person applying for WIC

• Driver's license
• Birth certificate
• Hospital birth certificate, ID bracelet, or crib card
• Photo ID
• Passport
• Social Security card
• TennCare or Medical Insurance Card
• Registration in local/state/federal government programs
• Voter Registration Card
• VOC Card (if transferring from another WIC program)
• WIC Folder (for voucher pick-up if the folder has been signed)
• WIC ID (for certification if label is attached)

Proof of household income options: must include all income for the household

• Proof of SNAP/Food Stamps enrollment: current benefit statement, or show us your online SNAP account
• Proof of TennCare enrollment: we will access the TennCare database to determine your enrollment status
• Current (most recent) check stub: must show gross income; we can view this on your smartphone if needed
• Income statement from employer: when check stubs are not available or you receive pay in cash; statement must apply to current income, must be signed and dated by employer (within 30 days); we reserve the right to contact your employer to verify the information
• Government Program Award Letter (includes unemployment compensation)
• Investment statement: must show gross income
• Social Security or SSI benefits statement
• Veterans benefit statement
• Copy of Court Order
• Previous year tax return: may only be used if self-employed and no other source of income, must be the complete return including 1099’s (when applicable)
• Written letter of support from a third party with signature and current date: must indicate a dollar amount of monthly support, must contain enough information to accurately determine the household income status or describe why other documentation is not available. A letter of support from someone within the household is not acceptable. This is a last resort option and should be used only if absolutely no other information is available.

Proof of Tennessee residency options

• Rent receipt/mortgage statement: receipt should have name, address of leaseholder with renter’s current address
• Utility bill/receipt
• Official correspondence
• Written letter of support from a third party with signature and current date: a letter of support from someone within the household is not acceptable
• Addresses listed as PO boxes are not acceptable

Proof of pregnancy options

• Written confirmation of positive pregnancy test performed by any health professional
• Ultrasound with your name pre-printed (not hand written)
• If you are visibly pregnant, we do not need written proof of pregnancy

Tennessee WIC Income Eligibility Guidelines
Income eligibility is uniform statewide and is determined at the local level by the Public Health Office Assistant (PHOA/clerk) in the health department. The participant’s household gross income must be equal to or less than these WIC income guidelines (185% of Federal poverty).

Apply For Tennessee WIC Benefits
For more information about applying for the WIC program call your local health department or call 1-800-DIAL-WIC (1-800-342-5942)