The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) helps low-income pregnant women, new mothers, and children up to age five by providing healthy foods and nutritional support. With the expansion of Walmart’s online pickup system, many WIC participants are wondering: Can I use WIC online to pick up food at Walmart without a physical WIC card?
Here’s a detailed guide on how to do this, depending on your state and the technology available.
Understand How WIC Works with Walmart Online
Walmart is one of the few retailers testing and gradually rolling out WIC online shopping options. However, WIC online ordering is only available in certain states, and full functionality (such as cardless use) depends on whether your state’s WIC program uses EBT or electronic WIC (eWIC) and whether your local Walmart supports this feature.
The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program provides essential food support through electronic benefit cards, which are typically used as debit cards for in-store or online purchases. Let’s say you’ve lost your WIC card or are temporarily unable to access it. In that case, Walmart offers alternative solutions for using your WIC benefits online without a physical card, as long as your state participates in WIC online ordering. Below is a step-by-step guide to completing this process, focusing on some states that allow virtual WIC transactions.
How to Use WIC Online Walmart Pickup Without Card
Step 1: Confirm Your State’s Online WIC Eligibility
Currently, only Washington (WA) and Massachusetts (MA) allow WIC users to shop online at Walmart using their benefits. To get started:
- Visit your state’s WIC website (e.g., the Washington State Department of Health or Mass.gov).
- Check to see if your state’s WIC office offers direct online ordering through Walmart or virtual access to your WIC card information.
If your state isn’t listed, contact your local WIC office to inquire about future online ordering partnerships.
Step 2: Retrieve Your WIC Card Details
To use WIC online without a physical card, you will need:
- Your WIC card number (the 16-digit number on the front of the card).
- Your 4-digit WIC PIN.
If your card is lost or stolen:
- Contact your local WIC office immediately to deactivate it and request a new one.
- Request a virtual card number (if available): Some states provide temporary card information over the phone or through secure online portals.
- Consult WIC resources: For example, Massachusetts allows users to regenerate their WIC card number through the official state WIC guide.
Step 3: Set Up a Walmart Account
If you don’t already have one, create a Walmart account at walmart.com or through the Walmart app. Make sure to:
- Provide accurate contact information.
- Link your shipping or pickup address to the issuing state (as WIC orders must be claimed there).
Step 4: Add WIC benefits to Walmart payment options
- Sign in to your Walmart account.
- Go to the Payment Methods or Wallet section.
- Add your WIC card by entering the 16-digit card number and PIN when prompted.
- If your state allows virtual card access, enter the temporary number provided by your WIC office.
- Save the card for future use.
Step 5: Shop WIC-Eligible Items
Walmart offers filters and labels to help WIC users find approved items:
- Use the “WIC Eligible” filter or look for the green leaf icon 🌱 next to products.
- Common WIC-approved items include fruits, vegetables, whole-grain bread, milk, eggs, beans, and nuts.
- Avoid adding non-WIC items with this payment method.
Add eligible products to your cart and proceed to checkout.
Step 6: Complete the order without a physical card.
At checkout:
- Select your WIC card as the payment method.
- If prompted, enter your WIC PIN again for verification.
- Choose to pick up at the selected store (WIC purchases cannot be shipped outside the issuing state).
- Confirm the order and note the pickup time.
Upon pick-up, please present government-issued identification (e.g., driver’s license or state ID) to verify your identity, as the store employee will need to confirm that the name on the WIC account matches yours.
Related Topics & Quaries:
How to Get a Free Admission with WIC Card in California?
Why Does My WIC Card Say No Benefits Available
What if you can’t access your WIC card number?
If you lost your card and can’t retrieve the number or PIN:
- Contact your local WIC office immediately to deactivate the lost card and prevent fraud.
- Request a replacement card (processing times vary by state).
- Temporarily use store visits: WIC cards from other states can be used for in-person shopping in more than 40 states through the WIC Shopper Service Center program.
Key Tips for Success
- Plan ahead: Always keep your WIC card number and PIN in a safe, accessible place.
- Check your funds: Check your WIC balance online through your state’s WIC portal before shopping.
- Use secure networks: Avoid public Wi-Fi networks when entering your WIC card information online.
Final Notes
While a physical WIC card is ideal, online transactions in WA and MA only require the card number and PIN, not the physical card. If your card is lost, damaged, or stolen, act quickly to regain virtual access or replace it. By taking advantage of your state’s WIC resources and Walmart’s online ordering system, you can safely use your benefits without having to go in person. Always check with your WIC office for up-to-date information on available digital tools and services.
For specific state guidance, visit:
