Women, Infants and Children (WIC)

WIC1

About Women, Infants and Children (WIC) 

WIC is a federally-funded public health nutrition program administered through the Texas Department of State Health Services. The program is exceptional among federally administered programs in that it provides support to a specific population: pregnant women or women who are breastfeeding or have recently had a baby, infants, and children up to the age of five.

Good nutrition, beginning with pregnancy, provides the optimum opportunity for babies and children to lead healthy, strong lives. 

WIC provides: 

1. Nutrition education
2. Breastfeeding promotion and support
3. Healthy foods
4. Referrals to health and social service programs

WIC Contact Information:
Appointment Line: 713.407.5800
Fax: 713.439.6309

COVID-19 Update:
HCPH WIC services remain available by appointment. Some WIC services are modified to protect clients and staff. Temporary hours of operation for HCPH WIC locations are:

WIC Center hours:
 Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays:
8:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Tuesdays:
9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
 Thursdays and Fridays:
8:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Saturdays:
Call for an appointment.

Walk-ins are welcome. However, without an appointment, the patient may experience a prolonged wait time to be seen and evaluated. A few same-day appointments are available.

Tomball WIC Center: Closed on Monday and Wednesday

To make an appointment at any of the WIC centers Monday - Saturday, contact the WIC call center at 713.407.5800. Please note that for Saturday appointments, you must call Monday – Friday. 

WIC Call Center hours:
Monday – Wednesday:
8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Thursday:
8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Friday:
8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.


 

 

1. Do I qualify for WIC?
To qualify for WIC, the following must be met:

1. Reside in Texas. U.S. citizenship is not a requirement for eligibility.

2. Meet one of following:

  • You are pregnant
  • You have had a baby within the past six months
  • You are breastfeeding
  • You are the parent/guardian for an infant or child younger than five years old

3. Meet required income guidelines. 

Applicants in one of the above categories who receive Medicaid, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), or SNAP can automatically qualify for WIC services. 

2. When is my next WIC appointment?

WIC schedules most appointments three months in advance at each visit. Your next appointment date can be located on your Benefit Issuance receipt or you may call the Harris County WIC Call Center at 713.407.5800 to retrieve your next scheduled appointment date and time.

3. Why don't I have benefits on my WIC card?
At most WIC visits, food benefits are placed on the WIC card for three months following your appointment. If you missed your scheduled WIC appointment, a delay in your monthly benefits may occur and a scheduled WIC appointment to retrieve benefits is needed.
4. What number do I call to report my card lost or stolen?
To report your WIC card lost or stolen please call 1.800.942.3678 and select option 3. All WIC cards that are reported lost or stolen will take 7-10 business days for the WIC state agency to reissue a new WIC card.
5. Do I need to bring my children to the WIC appointment?
The WIC program requires all children being served to be present at the following appointments: Certification, Children's Mid-certification and appointments with the Registered Dietitian. You do not need to bring your children to the class appointments.
6. Why do I need a prescription form to change my baby's formula?
Texas WIC currently issues Similac Advance and Similac Soy Isomil without a Texas WIC Medical Request Form. All formulas outside of the two contract formulas listed here require a Texas WIC Medical Request Form from the child’s Health Care Provider. Click here for the form. If you have questions for a nutritionist, please contact the WIC Call Center at 713.407.5800. 
7. Do I need an appointment to change my food package?
Yes. All changes to your WIC Food Package must be made at your WIC center with your WIC card. Please contact the WIC Call Center at 713.407.5800 to schedule your appointment.
8. Does WIC provide emergency formula?
WIC does not provide emergency formula but referrals for local food pantries are available for food and formula assistance. Contact the WIC Call Center for more information.
9. What food benefits will I receive?
WIC provides age-appropriate, nutritious foods for infants, children and women. To view the WIC Food Package benefits, please visit your local WIC center or the Texas Department of State Health Services WIC website.
10. Does the WIC program work like food stamps?
No. The WIC program is a supplemental nutrition program that provides nutrition education, breastfeeding support and referrals for various agencies according to the client’s needs. WIC provides the WIC card to retrieve the assigned food benefits at WIC vendor locations. Clients are allowed to use food benefits that are available for the current month only. Any food items that are not retrieved from the WIC  card by the end of the current month will not roll over to the following month.
11. Are the clinics open on weekends?
Yes. Saturdays are scheduled by appointment only. WIC centers are not opened on Sundays.
12. What stores can I go to get my benefits from?
WIC benefits can be retrieved at all approved grocery stores or vendors that accept WIC cards.
13. If I am breastfeeding, will I be able to get a breast pump?
Yes. WIC staff provides support to all breastfeeding clients. Each breastfeeding client is assessed and the appropriate breast pump will be provided. If you are pregnant and currently have health insurance, you may contact your health plan to receive a breast pump before your baby arrives.
14. Can I get formula if I breastfeed?
Yes. WIC provides formula supplements to breastfeeding clients upon request.
15. Do I have to be a U.S. resident to receive WIC benefits?
No. U.S. citizenship is not a requirement for WIC Eligibility.
16. Do I need to take my WIC card to every appointment?
Yes the WIC card is required at each WIC appointment for identification and benefit issuance. If it is your first visit, or you are picking up a replacement WIC card, please provide one of the following ID's:

  • Birth certificate
  • Hospital records (for example, crib card, hospital band, discharge papers)
  • Baptismal certificate
  • Marriage license
  • Driver’s license
  • WIC Lone Star Card or other States’ WIC Identification Cards
  • Immunization card
  • School/employee Identification card with picture
  • Military Identification card
  • Official Identification with picture
  • Passport/immigration records
  • Medicaid, SNAP, TANF letters/forms (the applicant must be identified as the recipient of the program)
  • Employee check stub with name printed on it
  • Voters registration card
  • Social Security Administration letters
  • Social Security card
  • Housing/rental agreement
  • Loan papers from Bank/Finance Company, etc
  • Property tax receipt
  • Self Declaration Form
  • Foster Placement Letter
  • Your Texas Benefits Card (YTBC)
17. What happens if I'm late to my appointment?
Harris County Public Health WIC centers ask that all clients arrive to each appointment on time, however, we do our best to help all of our clients who need additional time arrive. Please contact the WIC Call Center at 713.407.5800 if you need to reschedule your appointment.
18. Can I use my WIC card to take my children to the Houston Zoo and the Children's Museum of Houston?
Active WIC clients are eligible for 75% off general admission to the Houston Zoo.
Appropriate documents must be provided upon arrival:
  • WIC card
  • WIC shopping list
  • WIC participants must be present
Active WIC clients receive free admission for themselves and up to six guests to the Children's Museum of Houston.
Appropriate documents must be provided upon arrival:
  • WIC card
  • WIC shopping list
  • WIC participants must be present
  • Photo ID
19. Does WIC offer transportation?
No. For more information on riding METRO to our locations, please visit our WIC Centers and Locations page.