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While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the LIHEAP program and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
Table of Contents
The Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides federal grants to states for supplemental foods, health care referrals and support, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age five who are found to be at nutritional risk. The WIC program in Mississippi is administered through the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH).
Learn more about WIC in Mississippi on the State Department of Health WIC home page here.
WIC assists women and children by providing nutrition assistance and health support. If you are eligible for WIC, you will be able to access the following services:
WIC participants pick up authorized supplemental food from WIC food centers with paper vouchers.
However, monthly nutrition assistance benefits will be placed on an eWIC card in 2021. The eWIC cards will be issued to eligible participants after they are approved for the program.
The eWIC card functions like a debit card, allowing participants to swipe their card and enter their PIN to complete a transaction at participating vendors.
To learn more about WIC services in Mississippi, click here.
After you are accepted into the WIC program, you will be assigned a specific food package category by the Mississippi State Department of Health. The food package you will be assigned is dependent on:
For women and children, each food package comes with a set list of covered food items and the maximum amount of the food item that will be covered by the program (in ounces or fluid ounces) each month. Items included in food packages for women and children are:
Infant food packages are provided in the same level of detail but vary based on the age of the infant and how they are fed (breastfed vs. formula fed). Covered food items based on these factors include:
Learn more about WIC Food Packages and Maximum Monthly Allowances here.
To be eligible for WIC in Mississippi, you must meet the following requirements:
The WIC income limits are based on the number of members in your household and are categorized by time period. Gross income refers to the total earnings before any taxes are imposed. There is a weekly, monthly and annual income limit that households must meet. They are as follows.
| Household Members | Gross Income/Week | Gross Income/Month | Gross Income/Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $484 | $2,096 | $25,142 |
| 2 | $652 | $2,823 | $33,874 |
| 3 | $820 | $3,551 | $42,606 |
| 4 | $988 | $4,279 | $51,338 |
Note that pregnant women count as two people within a household. For each additional person in your household, add $8,732 per year to determine your income limit.
For more information about WIC eligibility, review the WIC Income Guidelines page here.
To test your eligibility for WIC benefits, use the WIC Prescreening Tool here. Using the WIC Prescreening Tool is not an application.
To apply for WIC in Mississippi, complete the following three steps:
Learn if you may be eligible for WIC benefits by using the WIC Prescreening Tool here.
Learn what documents and information you need here.
You must schedule a WIC certification appointment at a WIC clinic to apply. To set up an appointment by phone, call your county health department. Click here to find your nearest county health department and contact information.
Your eligibility for WIC benefits will be verified during your appointment.
If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, contact the Mississippi WIC office at 1 (601) 991-6000 or 1 (800) 338-6747 (toll-free).
The WIC certification appointment is the applicant’s first appointment at a WIC clinic. The purpose of the certification appointment is to determine your eligibility for WIC benefits.
During the certification appointment, applicants will meet with a WIC representative and present all the necessary documents to apply for WIC benefits.
Applicants should bring the following documents to their WIC certification appointment:
All applicants, including the mother and all eligible children, must be present at the appointment.
After providing the necessary documentation, trained staff at the WIC clinic will conduct a health exam on each of the applicants to determine if they are at medical or nutritional risk. The assessment will include a blood test, a health questionnaire and measurements of their height and weight.
For more information on what to bring to your WIC appointment, click here.
If you apply for WIC in Mississippi, your eligibility will be determined during your certification appointment at the WIC clinic. You will not need to wait to find out if your application is approved.
However, if your location does not have sufficient funds to serve all eligible applicants, you may be put on a waiting list to receive benefits. In this situation, applicants will receive benefits based on a priority system that gives those in most need earlier access to benefits.
Learn more about the Waiting List here and the WIC Eligibility Priority System here.
After you set up your WIC appointment and apply for benefits at a county health department, your eligibility will be determined by the representative who processes your application.
If you are approved for benefits, you will receive your paper vouchers or eWIC card in the mail after being approved. You can use these monetary benefits to purchase WIC-approved foods.
You will also be able to access WIC clinic support programs right away, including:
Learn more information about WIC benefits and what to expect from the program on the Mississippi Welcome to WIC brochure here.
If your WIC application was denied, you have the right to file an appeal. You can submit the appeal to the Mississippi State Department of Health within 30 days of when you are notified about your ineligibility.
To file an appeal in person, visit a local MSDH office. You will need to speak with a representative and tell them why you are appealing your determination. You will also need to bring your benefit determination letter and evidence that supports your appeal. Find your nearest county health department location here.
You may need to write a letter that includes the following information:
Learn more information about the appeal process by contacting your local WIC agency. Find your nearest county health department location here.
If your paper vouchers or eWIC card becomes lost, stolen or damaged, you must contact the county health department for further assistance. Find your nearest location and contact information here.
For help with obtaining WIC benefits or for any further questions about the program, call the Mississippi WIC office at 1 (601) 991-6000 or 1 (800) 338-6747 (toll-free). You can also contact the Mississippi WIC program at:
Mississippi WIC Program805 S. Wheatley Street, Suite 400
Ridgeland, MS 39157
You can visit or call a county health department for further assistance. Find your nearest location and contact information here.
You can also contact the Mississippi State Department of Health from Monday through Friday (8:00 AM to 5:00 PM):
While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and compiled a guide and these answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to provide you useful information on the process to help you get the benefits you need.
Our free WIC Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, program eligibility and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view or download our free guide here.
Table of Contents
The Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides federal grants to states for supplemental foods, health care referrals and support, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age five who are found to be at nutritional risk. The WIC program in Mississippi is administered through the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH).
To apply for WIC in Mississippi, complete the following three steps:
Learn if you may be eligible for WIC benefits by using the WIC Prescreening Tool here.
Learn what documents and information you need here.
You must schedule a WIC certification appointment at a WIC clinic to apply. To set up an appointment by phone, call your county health department. Click here to find your nearest county health department and contact information.
Your eligibility for WIC benefits will be verified during your appointment.
If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, contact the Mississippi WIC office at 1 (601) 991-6000 or 1 (800) 338-6747 (toll-free).
The WIC certification appointment is the applicant’s first appointment at a WIC clinic. The purpose of the certification appointment is to determine your eligibility for WIC benefits.
During the certification appointment, applicants will meet with a WIC representative and present all the necessary documents to apply for WIC benefits.
Applicants should bring the following documents to their WIC certification appointment:
All applicants, including the mother and all eligible children, must be present at the appointment.
After providing the necessary documentation, trained staff at the WIC clinic will conduct a health exam on each of the applicants to determine if they are at medical or nutritional risk. The assessment will include a blood test, a health questionnaire and measurements of their height and weight.
For more information on what to bring to your WIC appointment, click here.
If you apply for WIC in Mississippi, your eligibility will be determined during your certification appointment at the WIC clinic. You will not need to wait to find out if your application is approved.
However, if your location does not have sufficient funds to serve all eligible applicants, you may be put on a waiting list to receive benefits. In this situation, applicants will receive benefits based on a priority system that gives those in most need earlier access to benefits.
Learn more about the Waiting List here and the WIC Eligibility Priority System here.
After you set up your WIC appointment and apply for benefits at a county health department, your eligibility will be determined by the representative who processes your application.
If you are approved for benefits, you will receive your paper vouchers or eWIC card in the mail after being approved. You can use these monetary benefits to purchase WIC-approved foods.
You will also be able to access WIC clinic support programs right away, including:
Learn more information about WIC benefits and what to expect from the program on the Mississippi Welcome to WIC brochure here.
If your WIC application was denied, you have the right to file an appeal. You can submit the appeal to the Mississippi State Department of Health within 30 days of when you are notified about your ineligibility.
To file an appeal in person, visit a local MSDH office. You will need to speak with a representative and tell them why you are appealing your determination. You will also need to bring your benefit determination letter and evidence that supports your appeal. Find your nearest county health department location here.
You may need to write a letter that includes the following information:
Learn more information about the appeal process by contacting your local WIC agency. Find your nearest county health department location here.
For help with obtaining WIC benefits or for any further questions about the program, call the Mississippi WIC office at 1 (601) 991-6000 or 1 (800) 338-6747 (toll-free). You can also contact the Mississippi WIC program at:
Mississippi WIC Program805 S. Wheatley Street, Suite 400
Ridgeland, MS 39157
You can visit or call a county health department for further assistance. Find your nearest location and contact information here.
You can also contact the Mississippi State Department of Health from Monday through Friday (8:00 AM to 5:00 PM):
While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
Our free WIC Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, program eligibility and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view or download our free guide here.