Louisiana WIC Program

About the Louisiana WIC Program

Louisiana WIC is administered by the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH), Bureau of Nutrition Services. The program is open to pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, infants, and children up to their fifth birthday. To find a clinic near you, visit louisianawic.org or call the statewide BABY line at 1-800-251-BABY (2229).

Louisiana WIC offers a depth of participant support that includes three separate mobile apps, a formal proxy appointment system, and one of the most developed disaster-response protocols in the country.

Three Apps, All Free

Louisiana WIC offers three mobile apps at no charge, all available in English and Spanish on the App Store and Google Play:

• myWIC — Louisiana's full-featured WIC account app. Use it to schedule and manage appointments, upload required documents before your visit, view your benefit balance, scan products to check WIC eligibility, find authorized stores and clinics, and receive messages from your clinic. The myWIC app also lets you start the WIC application process by submitting a participant referral form directly through the app.
• Pacify — On-demand, video-enabled breastfeeding support from breastfeeding experts, with an average answer time of 3 minutes or less. The app also offers scheduled appointments and in-app chat. Louisiana WIC provides unlimited Pacify memberships at no cost to all enrolled breastfeeding mothers, available in English and Spanish.
• WICShopper — A barcode scanner for checking whether any food product is WIC-approved, with food lists and recipes. This app does not require a WIC account, so anyone considering applying can use it to explore what Louisiana WIC covers before their first appointment.

The Proxy System

Louisiana WIC allows participants to designate a proxy — another trusted person — to attend certain WIC appointments and shop for WIC foods on your behalf. To set up a proxy, fill out the Proxy at Certification Form and bring it to your next appointment. Make sure your proxy knows your family's details and is available for appointments and grocery shopping when you are not. If getting to appointments is difficult due to work, school, transportation, or other barriers, the proxy option is designed to help. Ask your local WIC clinic for details.

Disaster Preparedness

Louisiana's history with hurricanes has shaped WIC into one of the most disaster-resilient programs in the country. Louisiana WIC maintains specific protocols for participants who evacuate — including the ability to use an eWIC card at any open Louisiana WIC-authorized store with generator power anywhere in the state, and expedited VOC (Verification of Certification) transfers for participants who evacuate to another state. A dedicated disaster information page is maintained at louisianawic.org/community/disaster-information. The BABY line (1-800-251-2229) and the myWIC app both provide clinic information during declared emergencies.

Tribal Communities

Louisiana is home to four federally recognized Native American tribes: the Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana (Charenton, St. Mary Parish), the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana (Elton, Allen Parish), the Jena Band of Choctaw Indians (Jena, LaSalle Parish), and the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana (Marksville, Avoyelles Parish).

None of Louisiana's federally recognized tribes operates a separate ITO (Indian Tribal Organization) WIC program. Tribal members in Louisiana receive WIC benefits through the same state-administered program and clinic network as all other Louisiana residents. To find the WIC clinic serving your area, use the clinic locator at louisianawic.org or call 1-800-251-BABY (2229).

Tribal members enrolled in the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) should ask their local WIC clinic about adjunctive income eligibility, as FDPIR status may qualify a household under federal WIC regulations.

Frequently Asked Questions — Louisiana WIC

Louisiana WIC Income Limits 2026

Pregnant Women Count as Two

A pregnant woman counts as two household members for income calculation purposes — herself and the unborn child. If you are expecting multiples, count each additional baby separately.

Automatic Income Eligibility

Louisiana residents who participate in any of the following programs are automatically income-eligible for WIC and do not need to provide income documentation:

• Medicaid — Louisiana administers Medicaid through Healthy Louisiana. This includes programs for pregnant women (LA MOMS) and children (LA CHIP), both of which count as Medicaid for WIC adjunctive eligibility purposes.
• SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)
• TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) — Louisiana's primary cash assistance program, FITAP (Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program), operates under TANF and counts for adjunctive eligibility.
• Foster children — Children in foster care automatically qualify for WIC regardless of household income.

Bring your current benefit card, award letter, or enrollment documentation for any qualifying program. Income documentation is not required when adjunctive eligibility is confirmed.

Tribal members enrolled in the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) should ask their local WIC clinic about adjunctive income eligibility.

Income Documentation if Not Automatically Eligible

If your household does not participate in any of the qualifying programs above, bring documentation of all household income for the prior 30 days — pay stubs, employer letters, Social Security or SSI award letters, unemployment benefit statements, child support records, or military Leave and Earnings Statements. Louisiana WIC uses gross income before taxes for all calculations. Self-employed applicants may use tax returns from the most recent calendar year.

Louisiana WIC does not require U.S. citizenship or ask about immigration status. Receiving WIC will not affect immigration status and is not subject to the federal public charge rule.

Louisiana WIC Approved Foods

Louisiana WIC food benefits are loaded monthly onto an eWIC card accepted at authorized grocery stores statewide. Your specific food package depends on your participant category — pregnant, breastfeeding, postpartum, infant, or child — and is determined at your certification appointment. Use the myWIC app to check your current benefit balance and scan products in the aisle, or the WICShopper app to check food eligibility without a WIC account. For the complete brand-by-brand authorized foods list, see the Louisiana WIC Program Guide available at louisianawic.org.

Milk

Children younger than 2 years old receive whole milk. Children 2 through 5 and women receive 1% or skim milk only. The fat content shown on your shopping list determines which type to buy. Milk is available in gallon, half-gallon, and quart sizes from a wide range of authorized store brands and national brands. Flavored milk and buttermilk are not covered.

Lactose-free and lactose-reduced milk are available when listed on your WIC shopping list. Soy beverages are also available as a milk substitute for eligible participants — including 8th Continent, Pacific Ultra, and Silk — in half-gallon and quart sizes, when listed on the shopping list.

Cheese

Louisiana WIC authorizes the following cheese varieties: American, mild cheddar, medium cheddar, natural cheddar, mozzarella (part skim or whole), Swiss, pasteurized processed American, colby, monterey jack, muenster, and provolone. Both store brands and name brands from multiple retailers are authorized. See your current shopping list for the exact format and brands available to you.

Yogurt

Louisiana WIC covers yogurt primarily in 32 oz containers. Children 13 to 24 months (under 2 years old) receive whole fat yogurt. Pregnant women, postpartum women, and children 2 through 5 receive nonfat or lowfat yogurt. Plain, strawberry, vanilla, peach, and other approved flavors are covered. Yogurt with mix-in ingredients — granola, candy pieces, honey, nuts, or similar additions — is not covered.

Authorized brands span several retailers and include both store brands and national brands. As of April 2026, Louisiana WIC updated its authorized yogurt brand list — check the myWIC app or your current shopping list for the current brand lineup before shopping. Activia (4-pack of 4 oz containers, nonfat and lowfat) is also authorized for adult participants.

Eggs

Any size egg in any color (white or brown), sold by the dozen, from an authorized brand. Cage-free and organic eggs are allowed. Eggs labeled low-cholesterol, lowfat, or specialty (such as omega-3 enriched) are not covered.

Whole Grains

Louisiana WIC covers several whole grain categories. Only the quantities and package sizes listed on your shopping list are authorized.

• 100% whole wheat bread: 8 oz or 16 oz packages. Authorized brands include Arnold, Best Yet, IGA, Kroger, Nature's Own, and Pepperidge Farm. Rolls, bagels, frozen dough, and organic varieties are not covered.
• Tortillas: 100% corn or whole wheat tortillas in 16 oz packages. Authorized brands include Best Choice, Brookshire's, Celia's, Great Value, Kroger, and Tio Santi. White flour tortillas are not covered.
• Whole wheat pasta: Any variety, 16 oz packages. Authorized brands include Barilla, Best Choice, Food Club, Full Circle, Kroger, O Organics, Racconto, and Ronzoni.
• Brown rice: Long grain brown rice in 16 oz bags or boxes. Authorized brands include Ben's Original, Best Choice, Best Yet, Brookshires, Gulf Pacific, Mahatma, Parade, SE Grocers, Signature Select, and Winn Dixie. Instant, white, flavored, wild rice mixes, and organic varieties are not covered.
• Cold cereal: Up to 36 oz per month from the authorized cereal list. Approved cereals include General Mills Kix, Honey Kix, and Berry Berry Kix; Kellogg's corn flakes, Frosted Mini-Wheats, and other approved varieties; and Post Honey Bunches of Oats with Almonds, among others. See louisianawic.org or the myWIC app for the complete, current cereal list.
• Hot cereal: Plain instant oatmeal and plain instant grits in 9-12 oz individual-packet boxes, old fashioned and quick-cooking oats in 18 oz canisters, and cream of wheat. Flavored or sweetened varieties are not covered.

Fruits and Vegetables — Cash Value Benefit

Louisiana WIC provides a monthly Cash Value Benefit (CVB) for fresh, frozen, and canned fruits and vegetables without added sugars. The CVB amount depends on your participant category and is shown on your shopping list. Fresh cut herbs and bagged salad greens are covered. Salad bar items, party trays, fruit baskets, dried fruit and nut mixtures, nuts, spices, and vegetables with added sauces, noodles, rice, or breading are not covered.

Infants 6 to 11 months old have the option to receive CVB in place of half or all of their jarred infant foods, giving families flexibility in how they introduce solid foods. Ask your WIC clinic about this substitution or use the myWIC app.

Dried Beans, Peas, and Peanut Butter

Dried beans and peas in 16 oz packages (any variety) are covered, as are canned beans and peas in 15-16 oz cans. Authorized canned varieties include navy beans, pinto beans, red beans, kidney beans, lentils, garbanzo beans, field peas, purple hull peas, lima beans, cannellini beans, crowder peas, and sweet peas. Canned or dried green beans are not covered under the beans and peas category — fresh or frozen green beans may be purchased using the fruit and vegetable CVB. Bean soup mixes and beans with added seasonings or flavorings are not covered.

Peanut butter: Any brand, 16-18 oz container, plain varieties only. Peanut butter with added ingredients such as jelly, honey, chocolate, or marshmallow is not covered. One jar of peanut butter substitutes for one dry or canned bean benefit for the month.

Canned Fish

Canned fish is included in the food package for fully breastfeeding postpartum women only and must appear on the WIC shopping list to be purchased. Louisiana WIC authorizes any brand of the following:

• Pink salmon packed in water or oil — 5 oz, 6 oz, 7.5 oz, or 14.75 oz can or foil pouch
• Sardines packed in water or oil — 3.75 oz or 15 oz can or pack
• Light tuna — 5 oz or 6 oz can or foil pouch

Juice

100% juice, unsweetened, with no added sugar. Women's food packages include juice in frozen concentrate (11.5-12 oz cans) and 48 oz plastic bottles. Children's food packages include 48 oz bottled juice. As of April 2026, Louisiana WIC updated some food packages so that juice benefits in certain participant categories were replaced with additional fruit and vegetable cash value — check your current shopping list or the myWIC app to confirm what juice benefit is currently in your package.

Infant Foods

Infants receive iron-fortified infant cereal (8 oz Gerber), jarred baby fruits, vegetables, and meats, and WIC-approved infant formula. Authorized jarred infant food brands include Beech-Nut (Stage 1 and Stage 2, including organic varieties), Gerber (1st and 2nd Foods), O Organics (Stage 1 and Stage 2), and Earth's Best Organic. Single-ingredient and blended fruit and vegetable combinations are allowed. Mixed infant foods containing cereals, added sugars, starches, salt, or artificial sweeteners are not covered. Infant meats in 2.5 oz containers from authorized brands are also covered.

Caregivers of infants 6 to 11 months old can choose to receive a fruit and vegetable cash value benefit (CVB) in place of half or all of their infant jarred foods. Ask your WIC clinic or use the myWIC app to request this substitution. Special medical formulas require physician documentation.

Shopping Help

The myWIC app includes a barcode scanner tied to your current benefit balance — scan any product in the store to see if it is WIC-approved before you put it in your cart. The WICShopper app (no WIC account required) lets anyone scan products or browse the food list to explore what Louisiana WIC covers. Both apps are free on the App Store and Google Play in English and Spanish.