How to Apply for WIC in Ohio
Step-by-Step Guide
Ohio WIC Agency
Applying for WIC in Ohio
Ohio WIC does not have a single statewide online application — WIC is administered through county health departments and local agencies across all 88 Ohio counties. To apply, you need to contact your local WIC clinic to schedule a certification appointment. The best starting points are:
- odh.ohio.gov/wic — clinic directory and Healthy Starts locator to find your local office, plus a printable WIC Program Application
- 1-800-755-GROW (4769) — the Ohio WIC information line
- USDA WIC Eligibility Tool — pre-screen at fns.usda.gov/wic/eligibility-tool before calling
Some Ohio county WIC agencies also offer their own online pre-application forms — check your county health department's WIC page once you've identified your local agency.
Before Your Appointment
- ID for every family member applying — driver's license, birth certificate, crib card (for new infants — required at the initial appointment), or other government-issued ID
- Proof of Ohio address — utility bill, lease, or recent mail with your name and address
- Proof of income — three recent pay stubs, or your current Medicaid card if your household receives Medicaid. If you receive SNAP, Ohio Works First, or other qualifying benefits, bring that documentation
- For pregnant women — an ultrasound or physician's note as proof of pregnancy
- For infants — crib card is required at the initial appointment
What Happens at Your Appointment
At your Ohio WIC certification appointment, you will meet with a Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Dietetic Technician (DTR) to review your health history and any nutrition concerns. A WIC health professional will check height, weight, and iron levels for each family member applying. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you will also meet with a Breastfeeding Peer Helper for education and support. If approved, your Ohio WIC Nutrition Card (eWIC) is loaded with food benefits the same day.
Ohio WIC appointments are typically every three months. Plan for your first appointment to take about an hour.
Ohio's Peer Helper Breastfeeding Program
One of Ohio WIC's standout features is its Peer Helper Breastfeeding Program. Peer Helpers are women from the communities WIC serves who have breastfed their own babies and completed WIC training. They provide one-on-one support by phone and in person, help with breastfeeding questions, and assist parents returning to work or school. Electric breast pumps are available for eligible breastfeeding participants.
WIC as a Voter Registration Site
Ohio WIC clinics serve as voter registration assistance sites under the National Voter Registration Act. If you need to register to vote, your WIC clinic can assist you at your appointment.
Recertification in Ohio
Ohio WIC participants attend appointments every three months. Pregnant women are certified through delivery. Breastfeeding women are certified up to one year postpartum. Postpartum non-breastfeeding women are certified for six months. Children are certified annually. Your local WIC clinic will notify you before your certification period ends.
Transferring WIC Benefits To or From Ohio
Moving to Ohio from another state? Contact a local Ohio WIC clinic and bring your Verification of Certification (VOC) form from your previous state. Moving out of Ohio? Ask your WIC clinic for a VOC form before you leave. Your Ohio WIC Nutrition Card only works at authorized vendors within Ohio.
Application FAQ — Ohio WIC
Visit odh.ohio.gov/wic to use the clinic directory and Healthy Starts locator, or call 1-800-755-GROW (4769). Ohio WIC is available through county health departments and local agencies in all 88 counties.
Ohio does not have a single statewide online application. Some county WIC agencies have their own online pre-application forms — check your county health department's WIC page. For most applicants, the process starts by calling your local WIC clinic to schedule an in-person certification appointment. A printable WIC Program Application is available at odh.ohio.gov/wic.
Bring photo ID for every family member applying (new infants must bring their crib card at the initial appointment), proof of your Ohio address, and three recent pay stubs or your current Medicaid card as proof of income. For pregnant women, bring an ultrasound or physician's note. For infants, bring the crib card — it is required at the first appointment.
Plan for your first Ohio WIC certification appointment to take about one hour. You will meet with a Registered Dietitian or Dietetic Technician for a health and nutrition assessment, and if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you will also meet with a Breastfeeding Peer Helper.
Ohio WIC participants attend appointments approximately every three months — four times per year. Your local WIC clinic will schedule your follow-up appointments and notify you when recertification is due.
