WIC Recertification Guide: Renewals, Deadlines, and Missed Appointments

The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program can be a big help with healthy foods, nutrition education, and breastfeeding support. But WIC benefits are not permanent—you have to go through recertification (renewal) to keep getting help.

This guide explains how WIC recertification usually works, what to expect at renewal, what happens if you miss your appointment, and how to get back on track through official WIC offices and portals.

HowToGetAssistance.org is an informational site only. It does not run WIC, handle applications, or access your case. For any action on your case, you’ll need to contact your local WIC office or state agency directly.

What WIC Recertification Is (and Why It Matters)

When you are approved for WIC, you are considered certified for a certain period of time (called a certification period). At the end of that period, you must be recertified to keep receiving benefits.

Typical certification periods (these can vary by state or local agency):

• Infants and children – often certified for about 6–12 months
• Pregnant women – usually certified through pregnancy
• Postpartum or breastfeeding women – often certified for several months after delivery

At recertification, WIC staff usually:

• Check that you still meet income and household rules
• Confirm that you’re still in a WIC-eligible category (pregnant, postpartum, breastfeeding, infant, or child under age 5)
• Update height, weight, and other nutrition-related information
• Renew food benefits if you remain eligible

If you do not complete recertification on time, your WIC benefits can stop until you’re recertified.

Who Typically Needs to Renew and When

Every person on WIC has an end date for their current certification. This date is important because it’s the deadline to complete recertification.

You usually need to renew when:

• Your certification period is ending
• Your child is nearing age 1, 2, or 5 (age can affect category and eligibility)
• Your pregnancy ends (you may need recertification as postpartum or breastfeeding)

WIC offices usually send reminders, which may include:

• Printed letters
• Text messages
• Phone calls
• Messages in a WIC app or benefits portal

Do not rely only on reminders. Ask your local WIC office or check your printed WIC documents to find your certification end date.

How WIC Recertification Usually Works

Processes vary by state and local agency, but most WIC recertifications follow these steps:

1. Schedule a Recertification Appointment

Most people must have an appointment to recertify.

You can usually schedule by:

• Calling your local WIC clinic or office
• Using the state or local WIC website or portal, if available
• Asking during your current WIC appointment

When you schedule, ask:

• “Is this a recertification appointment?”
• “Who needs to come in person?”
• “What documents do I need to bring?”
• “Is the appointment in-person, by phone, or by video?” (some areas allow remote or hybrid appointments)

2. Gather Required Documents

Most WIC offices require you to show updated documents at recertification. These may include:

Proof of identity (for you and the child):

• Driver’s license or state ID
• School or work ID
• Birth certificate
• Passport
• Immunization card (in some areas)

Proof of address (current):

• Utility bill
• Lease or rental agreement
• Official letter mailed to you
• Mortgage or property tax bill

Proof of income (for everyone in the household whose income counts):

• Recent pay stubs (usually 1–3 months worth)
• Unemployment benefit letters
• Social Security benefit letters
• Child support statements
• A letter from your employer, if allowed by your local office

Some WIC offices may also ask for:

• Medical or nutrition referral from a healthcare provider (not always required)
• Immunization records for children
• Your WIC card or EBT card

Because rules differ, it’s a good idea to call your local WIC office before your appointment and ask exactly what they require.

What Happens At a Recertification Appointment

At your recertification appointment, WIC staff typically:

1. Review your information

   • Confirm your address, phone, and household size
   • Ask about income and any changes (new job, fewer hours, etc.)

2. Check eligibility

   • Confirm you or your child are still in a WIC-eligible group
   • Compare your household income to current WIC guidelines in your state

3. Do nutrition-related checks

   • Measure height and weight
   • In some offices, check iron levels or other basic screenings
   • Ask questions about diet and health-related needs

4. Create or update a nutrition plan

   • Talk about foods your family uses
   • Discuss any feeding concerns or questions
   • Adjust your WIC food package if allowed under program rules

5. Issue new benefits

   • If you remain eligible, WIC staff usually renew your benefits on your WIC card or EBT card
   • They may explain start and end dates for the new benefit period

If there is a question about your eligibility, they may:

• Request additional documents
• Give you a temporary period while they review (in some states)
• Explain your right to appeal if they plan to deny or end benefits

Common Reasons Recertification Gets Delayed or Denied

Recertification may be delayed or not approved if:

• Documents are missing (especially proof of income or address)
• Your income is now over the WIC limit for your household size
• The child is no longer under age 5
• The person is no longer in a WIC category (for example, not pregnant and past postpartum timeframe)
• You miss your recertification appointment and don’t reschedule before your certification end date
• The WIC office cannot verify identity or household composition

If you are told you are not eligible, you can typically:

• Ask the staff to explain the reason in writing
• Request information on how to appeal or ask for a fair hearing through your state or local WIC agency

What Happens If You Miss Your WIC Recertification Appointment

Missing a recertification appointment is common, and most offices have a way to handle it. What happens usually depends on:

• Whether you reschedule quickly
• Whether your current certification period has already ended
• Local office policies

Typical Outcomes If You Miss the Appointment

• Your benefits may stop once your certification end date passes.
• Your WIC card may no longer load new benefits until you’re recertified.
• You may need to schedule a new recertification appointment as soon as possible.

Missing one appointment does not always mean you are permanently removed from WIC. However, there may be a gap in benefits until recertification is completed.

What To Do Right Away If You Missed Your Appointment

If you miss your WIC recertification appointment:

1. Call your local WIC office immediately

   • Explain that you missed the appointment.
   • Ask: “Can I reschedule my recertification appointment?”
   • Ask if your certification is still active or if it has already ended.

2. Ask if you can still receive benefits

   • In some areas, if you reschedule quickly and your certification has not ended yet, they may be able to renew before the benefits stop.
   • If your certification already ended, you may need to complete a full recertification before benefits can start again.

3. Confirm what to bring next time

   • Use the missed appointment as a reminder to gather all required documents.
   • Ask whether anyone must attend in person, such as the child.

4. Ask about transportation or scheduling help

   • Some WIC offices may help adjust times or set appointments outside of typical work or school hours.
   • If transportation is an issue, tell the staff—some local agencies can refer you to community transportation options.

If Your WIC Case Was Closed After Missing Recertification

In some locations, if you don’t recertify by your deadline, your case may be closed. This usually means:

• You stop receiving WIC benefits
• You may need to reapply or recertify from the beginning, similar to a new applicant

Steps to take:

1. Contact your local WIC office or state WIC agency

   • Ask: “Was my WIC case closed? What do I need to do to recertify or reapply?”

2. Treat it like a new intake, if told to do so

   • Be prepared with:
     • Proof of identity
     • Proof of address
     • Proof of income
     • Any other documents your local office requests

3. Ask about priority or waiting lists

   • In some areas, WIC may use priority categories if resources are limited.
   • Families with certain nutrition needs or lower incomes may be served first.

4. Ask how long it may take

   • Timelines can vary based on office workload and local policies.

Quick Reference: Recertification vs. Missed Appointment

Here’s a simple overview to help you see the differences and actions to take:

How To Avoid Missing WIC Recertification Appointments

A few practical steps can help you stay on top of deadlines:

• Mark your certification end date on a calendar or in your phone.
• Ask your WIC office if they offer text reminders or app notifications.
• If you know you cannot make an appointment, call ahead to reschedule rather than skipping it.
• Keep a small folder or envelope with commonly required documents ready:
  • One section for IDs
  • One for income papers
  • One for address proof

What If Your Situation Has Changed?

Life changes often affect WIC eligibility, especially at recertification. Common changes include:

• New job or job loss
• More or fewer people in your household
• Moving to a new address, city, or state
• Changes in pregnancy or breastfeeding status

At recertification, you should:

• Tell WIC staff about any major changes
• Be ready to provide new proof of income or address if things are different
• Ask: “Does this change my eligibility or benefits?”

If you’ve moved to a new state, you generally need to:

• Contact the WIC office in your new state
• Ask how to transfer or reapply as rules differ by state

If You Don’t Qualify for WIC After Recertification

If WIC determines you are no longer eligible, you can:

1. Ask for an explanation

   • Request a written notice stating why you were denied or ended.
   • Ask staff to go over the income limits and category rules with you.

2. Inquire about appeals

   • Most WIC programs have a fair hearing or appeal process.
   • Ask your local office how to:
     • Request a hearing
     • Submit any additional documents they will accept

3. Look into other resources While HowToGetAssistance.org does not provide direct aid, families who no longer qualify for WIC sometimes look into:

   • SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) through your state’s benefits agency
   • Local food banks or pantries (you can call 211 in many areas for referrals)
   • School or childcare meal programs if your child is school-aged

Contact the official agencies or hotlines that manage these programs in your area for information about eligibility and how to apply.

How To Make Sure You’re Using Official WIC Channels

Because WIC is a government-supported program, actions on your case should only be done through official offices and websites. To protect yourself:

• Look for contact information on:

  • Printed WIC materials you already have
  • Posters or signs inside WIC clinics
  • Your state or county health department website

• Be cautious if:

  • A website asks for payment to “speed up” WIC benefits
  • Someone contacts you by text or social media asking for your full WIC card number, PIN, or Social Security number outside official channels

If you are unsure, you can:

• Call your state WIC program or local health department directly using a phone number you find on a trusted government source
• Ask them to confirm:
  • “Is this the official WIC website/office for my county?”
  • “Is this how I should schedule or reschedule my recertification?”

Key Takeaways for WIC Recertification and Missed Appointments

• Recertification is required to keep WIC benefits going; it usually happens every 6–12 months, depending on your category and local rules.
• You generally need to attend a recertification appointment and show proof of identity, address, and income.
• If you miss your appointment, contact your local WIC office right away to reschedule and ask whether your certification is still active.
• If your benefits stop after missing recertification, you may need to recertify or reapply, depending on local policy.
• For any changes, questions, or appeals, the next step is always to work through your official WIC office, state WIC agency, or their hotline.

HowToGetAssistance.org can help explain how programs typically work, but only official WIC offices and state agencies can look at your specific case, schedule recertification, or decide if you still qualify.