Women, Infants and Children Program

Alaska WIC Program Status Update

Due to the federal government shutdown, we want to provide an update on the status of the Alaska WIC Program.

As of today, Alaska WIC remains fully operational.

WIC clinics across the state are providing:

• Food benefits
• Nutrition education
• Breastfeeding support
• Referrals to health and social services
• WIC-approved grocery stores continue to accept WIC benefits for eligible purchases.

We are monitoring the situation closely and will continue to operate the program for as long as funding allows. If anything changes that affects WIC services, we will provide additional updates.

For more information about state-level preparations and continuity of services, please refer to Governor Dunleavy's Government Shutdown Plans.

Thank you for your commitment to Alaska families.

Overview

The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program offers free healthy foods, nutrition, and breastfeeding assessment, education, and support. It also provides referrals to other programs and services.

Who qualifies?

WIC is for all kinds of families: married & single parents, mothers-to-be, working or not working people. If you are a father, mother, grandparent, foster parent or other guardian of a child under 5 years of age, you can apply for your child.

You can participate in WIC if you:

• Live in Alaska
• Have a nutritional need (WIC staff can help determine this)
• Are a pregnant or breastfeeding woman
• Have a child under 5
• Meet income guidelines. Working families may qualify, please check the WIC Income Guidelines below.
• Are a foster parent 

If you or your children are income eligible for Food Stamps, Medicaid, Denali Kid Care, and/or and Alaska Temporary Assistance Program (ATAP) then your income meets WIC guidelines.

Alaska WIC Income Eligibility Guidelines are revised annually in accordance with USDA guidance.  Updated guidelines are distributed to all local agencies and posted to the state website. 

WIC Income Eligibility Guidelines are entered into SPIRIT computer system annually.

How to sign up

Fill out the forms and contact the WIC clinic closest to you

Forms

Call the WIC clinic closest to you

Call the clinic to let them know you want to apply. Your local clinic will provide you with more information about their process including how to get height, weights and hemoglobin measurements if needed.

Things to bring to your first appointment

• Completed application forms.
• Proof of income. Samples of proof of income are
  • Proof of SNAP, Medicaid, Denali Kid Care, and/or and Alaska Temporary Assistance Program (ATAP)  like your current card or number or
  • The most recent paystubs for everyone working in your home for the last 30 days 
• Proof of identification. Samples of identification are driver's license, passport, birth certificate, social security card, immunization record.

How to use

eWIC

eWIC is a system used to purchase WIC foods with a card that can be used like a debit card. 

ebtEDGE

Activate and manage your eWIC card at ebtEDGE online portal.

Resources