How to Apply for WIC in California
Step-by-Step Guide
California offers an online WIC application.
Apply online at www.phfewic.org → or call 800-852-5770 to schedule your first appointment.
California WIC Agency
Applying for WIC in California
California WIC is delivered locally by agencies across the state, so the application process starts by finding the agency that serves your county. The central starting point is myfamily.wic.ca.gov — use the WIC Office Search to find the agency nearest you.
Some local agencies offer online applications. PHFE WIC, which serves Los Angeles County, Orange County, and San Bernardino County, accepts online applications at phfewic.org. Once you find your local agency through the office search, check their website for online pre-application options.
Before Your Appointment
Gather these documents before you go:
- ID for every family member applying — driver's license, passport, birth certificate, immunization card, or other government-issued ID
- Proof of California address — utility bill, lease, or recent mail with your name and address
- Proof of income — recent pay stubs, employer letter, or tax return for all household members. If your household receives Medi-Cal, CalFresh, CalWORKs, or FDPIR, bring that enrollment documentation instead of income paperwork
- For infants and children — birth certificate or hospital record. Bring immunization records if available
- For pregnant individuals — documentation of pregnancy from a healthcare provider if available. WIC staff can work with you if you don't have paperwork yet
WIC staff may ask you to bring your infant or child to the first appointment in person, as height and weight measurements are part of the nutrition assessment.
What Happens at Your Appointment
A WIC counselor will review your documents and determine eligibility. A nutrition assessment is completed for each qualifying family member — this includes height and weight measurements and a review of nutrition and health history. If approved, food benefits for all qualifying members are loaded onto your California WIC Card the same day. You can begin shopping immediately.
California WIC offers appointments in multiple languages. Contact your local agency to confirm which languages are available for appointments in your area.
The California WIC App
Download the California WIC App (free on iOS and Android) as soon as you're enrolled. The app lets you view your food benefits and upcoming appointments, scan barcodes at the store to check if items are WIC approved, and find nearby WIC-authorized grocery stores and farmers' markets.
Recertification in California
Certification periods follow federal guidelines. Pregnant participants are certified through delivery. Breastfeeding participants are certified up to one year postpartum. Postpartum non-breastfeeding participants are certified for six months. Children are certified annually. Your local WIC office will notify you before your certification period ends. Benefits stop on the certification end date — in busy urban agencies, schedule your recertification appointment well in advance.
Transferring WIC Benefits To or From California
Moving to California from another state? Contact a local California WIC agency and bring your Verification of Certification (VOC) form from your previous state. Moving out of California? Ask your WIC office for a VOC form before you leave — your new state will use it to continue your benefits. Your California WIC Card only works at authorized vendors within California.
Application FAQ — California WIC
Use the office search tool at myfamily.wic.ca.gov to find the WIC agency that serves your county. California WIC is delivered by local agencies across the state — find yours through the state portal or by calling the state WIC office.
Bring photo ID for every family member applying, proof of your California address, and proof of income. If your household receives Medi-Cal, CalFresh, CalWORKs, or FDPIR, bring that enrollment documentation instead of income paperwork. For infants and children, bring a birth certificate or hospital record.
California does not have a single statewide online application — WIC is delivered locally by individual agencies. However, some agencies offer online applications: PHFE WIC, which serves Los Angeles County, Orange County, and San Bernardino County, accepts online applications at phfewic.org. Find your local agency at myfamily.wic.ca.gov and check their website for online options.
If you bring complete documents, WIC approval typically happens the same day as your appointment. Your food benefits are loaded onto your California WIC Card immediately upon approval and you can begin shopping the same day.
California WIC serves a highly diverse population and offers materials and services in many languages, including English and Spanish, with additional languages available depending on your local agency. Contact your local WIC agency to confirm which languages are available for appointments in your area.
