The WIC program in Nevada is a government assistance program designed to help low-income women, infants and children receive important food and nutrients. This federal program is the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children and it is available across the U.S. Those who meet WIC eligibility requirements receive access to healthy food options, breastfeeding education, health awareness and social and health services. Infants and children deemed to be at risk of nutritional deficits also benefit from this program.

Some eligibility requirements are determined at the state level, so specific application procedures and benefits vary across the country. The Nevada WIC office is responsible for following federal regulations, implementing any additional state conditions and supervising the application process in counties across the state. For more information about the program and to see how to apply for WIC, continue reading the sections below.

What are the WIC requirements in Nevada?

All applicants must meet the WIC qualifications determined by the state in order to start receiving benefits. To be eligible for the program, they must meet state-issued residency, income and health requirements, all of which are verified at an in-person interview. Infants and children must also meet age and health requirements, such as having a medical or nutritional need as determined by an official in the state.

Applicants must attend a WIC appointment as part of the application process. During this meeting, health officials review all the information provided on the application to determine eligibility status. If you are wondering who qualifies for WIC or would like to know more about the qualifications in your state, you can find all the information you need by downloading our comprehensive guide.

How to Apply for WIC in Nevada

Low-income pregnant, breastfeeding or postpartum women may apply to the program. Nevada WIC officials also encourage fathers with children younger than the age of 5 years to apply for benefits. The first step is completing a WIC application at one of the state’s many clinic locations. All applications are processed at one of these locations. If you are wondering, “Where can I find a WIC office near me?” you can check state and local websites for more contact information.

Once you know where to apply for WIC, you are prepared to complete the entire application process. The interview is a face-to-face meeting with a health official that takes place at one of the clinics in the state. The official confirms your program eligibility by verifying the information you provide on your application. Call the WIC number of your nearest clinic to set up an appointment. When requesting benefits, you must make sure to bring all the required documents to this appointment. Documents include but are not limited to:

• Proof of identity, such as a passport.
• Proof of income, such as a paystub.
• Proof of address, such as a utility bill.
• Proof of participation in another government assistance program.

For more details on how to apply in your state, download our free informative guide.

What can you get with WIC in Nevada?

The NV WIC program was created to give low-income women and children access to vital food and nutrients. Pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women are connected with a variety of health and social services as well as informative nutrition education. Infants and children receive food nutritional supplements, formula and other items that promote good health and proper growth. For breastfeeding mothers, WIC provides a network of support and education about the subject.

The federal government creates basic food list requirements, while the state handles specifics regarding allowable items. The state determines brands of foods are covered under the program and releases a list of approved items each year. Program participants can use benefits to purchase baby food, formula, nutritional powders, vegetables and fruits, meats, cheeses and cereals, but the state has certain restrictions on each food product. For example, the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health does not specify eligible brands, but recipients cannot use WIC payments to buy shredded cheese. Other restrictions will apply.

Rather than using paper WIC checks, you will receive an electronic benefits card (EBT) to use at approved grocery stores and retailers across the state. However, the program does not cover everything. It is up to you to understand what is WIC approved and what is not before you use your benefits card. Any restricted items in your shopping cart must be paid using your own money.

How to Prepare for a WIC Appointment in Nevada

Part of the approval process of the program is scheduling a WIC appointment at one of the clinics located around the state. Everyone who applies for the aid program must meet with a health worker in person to review their information and eligibility. The health worker will review all documents and conduct light health screenings for each applicant to determine whether there is a nutritional or medical need. Before attending the WIC interview, applicants must collect documents that prove:

• Residency (e.g. utility bills or rental lease).
• Income (e.g. a tax form or pay stub).
• Identity (e.g. a birth certificate or Social Security card).
• Participation in another assistance program (e.g. SNAP or Medicaid cards).

The Nevada WIC office requires these documents for each individual applying to or benefitting from the program. Aside from your own documents, you must gather identification documents for your child (if he or she will benefit from the program). Please note that everyone benefitting from the program must also attend the appointment with you. The health worker must evaluate each applicant, including infants and children.

Failing to bring any of the required WIC documents may result in a delayed approval process or place you at risk of being denied. To stay organized, keep everyone’s documents separate. Consider placing each individual’s documents in a file folder with his or her name written across the front. This will help speed up the appointment time and allow the official to complete the review in a timely manner.

How to Check Your WIC Balance in Nevada

In Nevada, WIC checks are no longer used to distribute benefits. Instead, each individual is issued an electronic benefits card (EBT) to use at approved grocery stores and retailers around the state. It is similar to a debit card, but it is loaded with food items rather than money. When a user swipes the card at checkout, the food items they purchased are deducted from the food inventory on the card.

After checkout, you can find your WIC balance that shows the remaining food items on the bottom of your receipt. Benefits are reloaded monthly. Checking your WIC balance can be done in other ways, too. For example, you can conduct a balance inquiry with a cashier at any approved retailer. You can also call the toll-free number or use the WICShopper app to find your remaining balance.

Each card is used in conjunction with a personal identification number (PIN). If you forget your PIN, contact a WIC office immediately to set a new one. Also, be sure to report a stolen, lost or damaged card. It will be deactivated, and you can apply for a replacement at your local office.