Maine WIC Office

The Maine WIC (Women, Infants and Children) program is handled by the Department of Health and Human Services. This state agency can help you with questions or issues with WIC including how to apply, what is required to be eligible for Maine WIC benefits or if you need to schedule an appointment. If you will be meeting with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, we suggest you verify what documents you should bring with you to make sure they have all the information they need to help determine your eligibility. This page provides the Maine WIC office number and office hours.

The Maine WIC program aims to assist low-income and nutritionally at risk women who are pregnant, women who are currently breastfeeding (up to infant's 1st birthday), nonbreastfeeding postpartum women (up to 6 months after the birth of an infant or after pregnancy ends), infants (up to 1st birthday) and children up to their fifth birthday. Benefits that are provided to participants through the Maine WIC program includes supplemental nutritious foods, nutrition education, counseling at WIC clinics, screening and referrals for other health reasons, welfare and social services.

If you are planning to move out of state, Maine WIC participants can still receive their benefits until the certification period expires as long as there is proof that they received WIC benefits in Maine. Before you move, it is recommended that you contact the local WIC office. In most cases, the state agency will provide you with a special card that proves you participated in the Maine WIC Program. When you have moved, the next step would be to call the WIC office in the state you moved to and schedule an appointment. Make sure to bring the special card to your appointment to show proof you received benefits from the Maine WIC program.

Do I need an appointment to apply at the Maine WIC office?

The Maine WIC office requires you to schedule an appointment before you can apply for benefits. This requirement is enforced at all Women, Infants and Children (WIC) facilities in the state. When you are ready to apply for WIC, call an office near you to schedule your appointment. You can find a nearby WIC clinic by searching on this site.

Usually, your meeting at the WIC office will last around one hour. Program representatives use the information they obtain during these conversations to assess whether you qualify for benefits. Therefore, it is important that you prepare for your WIC appointment. First, you need to make sure you bring all of your application materials with you. It is also important to bring your children with you when you go to the office. Caseworkers cannot issue WIC benefits to family members who are not present during the interview.

Who qualifies to receive benefits from the WIC office in Maine?

In order to enroll in the Maine WIC program, you need to meet certain requirements. The first of these criteria relates to your household financial situation. WIC is only available to low-earning families. Therefore, your household must have total earnings that are within 185 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL). Additionally, remember that the WIC office can only extend benefits to applicants who live in the state. If you meet both of these WIC eligibility requirements, keep in mind that you also need to meet the state’s categorical eligibility requirement. You must prove you are one of the following types of applicants:

• A woman who is pregnant or breastfeeding
• A woman who gave birth within the previous six months
• A child who is younger than five years of age

What services does the Maine WIC office offer to enrollees?

If you qualify to receive WIC in Maine, there are many types of benefits that could be available to you. Examples of these services include:

• Monetary benefits you can use to buy healthy foods.
• Nutrition education for you and your children.
• Breastfeeding information.