Families who qualify for Medicaid, TennCare, SNAP and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) are income qualified for WIC. Many other persons not receiving benefits from these programs may also qualify.

If you have questions about qualifying for the WIC Program, please call your local WIC clinic (see list below) or the WIC Regional Office at (423) 209-8220, or TN WIC Hotline at (800) 342-5942 (800-DIAL-WIC).

WIC Income Eligibility Criteria

Research has shown that there is no better food than breast milk for a baby’s first year of life. Breastfeeding provides many health, nutritional, economical and emotional benefits to mother and baby. Since a major goal of the WIC Program is to improve the nutritional status of infants, WIC mothers are encouraged to breastfeed their infants. WIC has historically promoted breastfeeding to all pregnant women as the optimal infant feeding choice, unless medically contraindicated.

• WIC mothers choosing to breastfeed are provided information through counseling and breastfeeding educational materials.
• Breastfeeding mothers receive follow-up support through peer counselors.
• Breastfeeding mothers are eligible to participate in WIC longer than non-breastfeeding mothers.
• Mothers who exclusively breastfeed their infants receive an enhanced food package.
• Breastfeeding mothers can receive breast pumps to help support the initiation and continuation of breastfeeding.

For more information, please visit the USDA Breastfeeding Promotion and Support website.

However, if you decide to use formula, the WIC program can help reduce monthly costs by assisting you with vouchers for standard Similac milk-based or soy formula. Therapeutic formulas may be available with proper documentation from a physician for infants and children with particular health problems. Please discuss your baby’s nutrition with your pediatrician or call your WIC clinic for more information on breast feeding or on infant formula.

What do I bring to my WIC appointment?
All WIC visits are by appointment only. You must bring ALL of the following information to each WIC certification/recertification visit:

• Proof of identification
• Proof of residence
• Proof of income
• Please note that at WIC certification visits you cannot be seen without proof from all three categories. This is very important because if you do not bring this information, you will have your appointment re-scheduled.

Please remember:

• Identification, residence and income proof must be current and valid
• Participant must be present at certification and re-certification appointments
• Bring updated shot records for infants and children at each visit

You must bring one item from each of the 3 categories below:

1. Acceptable types of proof of identification (for the caretaker and person applying for WIC) include:

• Birth Certificate
• Driver’s License
• Passport
• Voter Registration Card
• Hospital Birth Certificate, ID Bracelet or Crib Card
• Photo ID
• Social Security Card
• Registration in other government programs
• Immunization Record
• TennCare Card (if found eligible at DHS) or Medical Insurance Card

2. Acceptable types of proof of residency (must include street address) include:

• Rent receipt/mortgage statement
• Utility bill/receipt
• Official correspondence
• Letter of Residency (written letter of support from a third party)

3. Acceptable types of proof of income (must bring for each/all household members) include:

• Bank statement with current transactions
• Paycheck stub dated within the last 30 days
• Income statement from employer (when check stubs are not available or paid in cash). It is preferred that this statement be on the employer’s letterhead.
• Written letter of support from a third party (please call for details on what this letter must contain)
• Proof of eligibility for Food Stamps, TANF or Medicaid
• Social Security Supplemental Income Statement
• Social Security Benefits Statement
• Veterans Benefits Statement
• Previous year tax return with W-2 Form(s)

Bringing the necessary information helps us to better serve you, your children, and other WIC participants.

The WIC Program works through a WIC EBT card system and grocery stores known as WIC Vendors provide the supplemental foods to WIC participants. A Vendor Coordinator works with the local WIC Vendors who accept the eWIC card to provide up-to-date WIC policies and procedures. If you are the owner or manager of a local grocery store and would like more information about the Merchant Program, please call 209-8312 or 209-8220.

*Family Health Pediatric Clinic—Hamilton County Health Dept.
921 E. 3rd St.
Chattanooga, TN 37403
Phone (423) 209-8050 Fax (423) 209-8051
Business hours: Monday (8AM-4PM), Tuesday (8AM-6PM), Wednesday (8AM-4PM), Thursday (8AM-4PM), and Friday (9AM-4PM)

*Ooltewah Health Center
5520 High St.
Ooltewah, TN 37363
Phone (423) 238-4269 Fax (423) 238-5910 
Business hours: Monday (8AM-6PM), Tuesday (8AM-4PM), Wednesday (8AM-4PM), Thursday (8AM-4PM), and Friday (9AM-4PM)

*Sequoyah Health Center
9527 Ridge Trail Rd.
Soddy Daisy, TN 37379
Phone (423) 842-3031 Fax (423) 842-5353
Business hours: Monday (8AM-4PM), Tuesday (8AM-4PM), Wednesday (8AM-6PM), Thursday (8AM-4PM), and Friday (9AM-4PM)

*Birchwood Health Center
5623 Hwy 60
Birchwood, TN 37308
Phone (423) 961-0446 Fax (423) 961-2344
Business hours: Monday (8AM-4PM), Tuesday (8AM-3PM), Wednesday (8AM-6PM), Thursday (8AM-3PM), and Friday (9AM-4PM)

Dodson Avenue Community Health Center

1200 Dodson Ave.
Chattanooga, TN 37406
(423) 778-2837 or (423) 209-8220 for appointments
Fax: (423) 778-2835
Business hours: Monday (8AM-6PM), Tuesday (8AM-4PM), Wednesday (8AM-4PM), Thursday (9AM-4PM), and Friday (8AM-2PM)

Where can I get more information about WIC?

• Federal WIC Program:  http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic
• Healthy Eating on a Budget:  http://www.choosemyplate.gov/budget

WIC Breastfeeding Support Information