How to Apply for WIC in Oregon
Step-by-Step Guide
Oregon offers an online WIC application.
Apply online at www.oregon.gov → or call 800-723-3638 to schedule your first appointment.
Oregon WIC Agency
Applying for WIC in Oregon
Oregon WIC has an online interest form where you can request contact from your local WIC clinic, but the full application and certification must be completed with a WIC-certified professional — either in person or by phone, depending on your local agency. Oregon serves all 36 counties through 30 county health departments, two Native American tribal organizations, one migrant health center, and one Head Start organization.
Step 1: Submit an Interest Form or Call
- Online interest form: Visit oregon.gov/oha/ph/healthypeoplefamilies/wic and complete the interest form. Select your county to be directed to the appropriate local agency, which will contact you to schedule an appointment.
- Call 211: Dial 211 (toll-free statewide) for referral to local WIC services in your area. For TTY relay, call 711 or 1-800-735-2900.
Tribal members living on or near a reservation should first check whether their tribal health department operates an ITO WIC program, as tribal WIC is administered separately from the OHA state program. Tribal members without ITO WIC access may also qualify through FDPIR.
Step 2: Gather Your Documents
Your local WIC clinic will tell you exactly what to bring, as requirements can vary slightly by agency. Generally, plan to bring:
- Proof of identity for yourself and each person applying — a driver's license, passport, birth certificate, or other government-issued ID; hospital birth records for infants
- Proof of Oregon residency — a utility bill, lease, official mail, or other document showing your current Oregon address
- Proof of income or program enrollment — pay stubs or income documentation for the prior 30 days. If you are fully enrolled in Oregon Health Plan (OHP/Medicaid), TANF, SNAP, or FDPIR, bring that enrollment documentation instead — it replaces income proof entirely.
- For pregnant applicants: Oregon WIC does not require proof of pregnancy as a condition of certification, but documentation from a healthcare provider helps staff provide better nutritional guidance.
Step 3: Your Certification Appointment
At your appointment, a WIC-certified professional will review your documents, assess your diet and health history, conduct measurements (height, weight, and hemoglobin blood test), and determine your food package. Oregon WIC describes nutrition education as "the cornerstone of the WIC program" — expect a meaningful nutrition conversation, not just a form to fill out. If eligible, you will receive your eWIC card with your first month of benefits and information about the Farm Direct Nutrition Program if your local clinic participates.
Oregon's program is delivered in a trauma-informed, culturally responsive way — staff are trained to provide a welcoming environment for all participants regardless of background, immigration status, or language. Free language assistance is available at all Oregon WIC clinics upon request.
Recertification
Pregnant women are certified through pregnancy and six months postpartum (twelve months if breastfeeding). Infants are recertified around six months and approaching their first birthday. Children are recertified every six months until their fifth birthday. Contact your local WIC clinic before your certification period ends to schedule a renewal appointment and avoid a gap in benefits.
Application FAQ — Oregon WIC
Partially. Oregon has an online interest form at oregon.gov/oha/ph/healthypeoplefamilies/wic/pages/interest-form.aspx where you submit your contact information and select your county. Your local WIC clinic will then contact you to schedule a certification appointment. The full application — including a nutrition and health assessment — must be completed with a WIC-certified professional. You can also call 211 statewide to be connected to local WIC services.
Your local WIC clinic will provide specific requirements, as they may vary slightly by agency. Generally, bring proof of identity for yourself and each person applying (driver's license, passport, birth certificate, or hospital records for infants), proof of Oregon residency (utility bill, lease, or official mail at your current address), and proof of income — or current enrollment documentation for Oregon Health Plan (OHP), TANF, SNAP, or FDPIR, which replaces income proof entirely.
Oregon WIC first calculates income eligibility by counting the pregnant person as one household member. If they do not qualify at that household size, staff may then count the pregnant person plus each unborn baby as additional members — unless the applicant specifically waives that increase. If you are pregnant with twins or multiples, each fetus can be counted separately. This layered approach means some applicants who initially appear over income may still qualify.
If you are found eligible at your certification appointment, you typically receive your eWIC card with your first month of benefits that day. The main variable is how quickly you can get an appointment scheduled after submitting the interest form. If you are pregnant and need benefits urgently, call your local WIC clinic directly rather than waiting for a callback from the online form.
Pregnant women are certified through pregnancy and six months postpartum (twelve months if breastfeeding). Infants are recertified around six months and approaching their first birthday. Children are recertified every six months until their fifth birthday. Contact your local WIC clinic before your certification period ends to schedule a renewal appointment — benefits stop if certification lapses. The WICShopper app displays your current benefit balance to help you track usage throughout each benefit period.
