WIC Telehealth Appointments â How to Do WIC Online
WIC telehealth lets you complete part or all of your certification appointment by phone or video rather than visiting the clinic in person. The option became widely available during the COVID-19 pandemic, and many states have kept it permanently â in large part because participation rates improved when remote appointments were offered.
What WIC Telehealth Actually Is
A WIC telehealth appointment replaces the in-person clinic visit with a video or phone call. The WIC health professional conducts the eligibility interview, reviews documents you share on screen or by upload, provides nutrition education, and determines your food package â all without you leaving home. A smartphone is enough; you don't need a laptop or special software.
Telehealth appointments became widespread during COVID-19 under USDA emergency flexibilities. After the emergency ended, many states chose to keep them because the data showed that remote options brought in families who had previously struggled to make in-person appointments â particularly families in rural areas and those with transportation or childcare barriers.
Which States Offer WIC Telehealth
Telehealth availability varies significantly by state and is still expanding. Select your state below for current options and scheduling information.
Telehealth availability varies significantly by state.
Select your state to find out if your state offers WIC telehealth appointments.
How to Set Up a WIC Telehealth Appointment
Contact your WIC agency
Call your state WIC agency or local clinic to confirm telehealth appointments are available.
Confirm technology needed
Most appointments use a video platform accessible by smartphone, tablet, or computer.
Gather your documents
Photo ID, proof of address, proof of income or SNAP/Medicaid enrollment, and proof of pregnancy or child's age.
Schedule and receive your link
Schedule your appointment and receive a video link or call-in number from your WIC clinic.
Join from a quiet location
Join on time from a private location with good lighting and reliable internet or cell service.
What You Still Need to Do In Person
Even in states with full telehealth, some things can't move remote. The hemoglobin fingerstick for anemia screening requires a physical visit. Height and weight measurements for children do too â you can't take an accurate growth measurement over video. In most states, these are the things that require an in-person stop even when everything else happens by phone or screen.
Some states also require in-person pickup for the WIC EBT card on first enrollment (though some mail it). Document verification requirements vary.
The simplest approach is to ask your WIC agency directly when you call to schedule: "Can I do my appointment by video, and if so, what do I still need to come in for?" Most agencies can answer that in a few seconds.
Tips for Your Virtual Appointment
Have your documents ready before the call starts â ID, proof of address, proof of income or SNAP/Medicaid enrollment, and proof of pregnancy or your child's birth certificate depending on your category. If you're doing a video call, have them photographed on your phone or as a PDF so you can share your screen or hold them up to the camera. Scrambling to find documents mid-appointment wastes time for everyone.
Find a reasonably private space. You'll be sharing personal income and household information, so a coffee shop or crowded room isn't ideal. If your only option is a shared space, a video call with headphones works fine.
Write down whatever your WIC provider tells you â your issuance date, expiration date, any upcoming appointments â because the telehealth visit doesn't always produce a paper summary you can take with you the way an in-person visit might.
Frequently Asked Questions
In some states, yes â the entire certification process for adult participants (pregnant women, postpartum women, and breastfeeding women) can be completed remotely via telehealth. For children, in-person measurements are often still required. Check with your state WIC agency for current policies.
Most WIC telehealth appointments can be completed via smartphone, tablet, or computer. Some may also be available by phone call without video. Ask your WIC agency what technology is required for their telehealth process.
No. Telehealth availability varies by state and continues to change. Some states have fully implemented telehealth statewide; others offer it in limited clinics or for specific participant categories. Select your state on this page for current information.
In states where telehealth is available, it can often be used for recertification as well as initial certification â with the same caveats about physical measurements. See How to Renew WIC for more details.
