Apply for WIC in South Carolina: Eligibility, Documents, eWIC Card

To apply for WIC in South Carolina, call the statewide WIC line at 1-855-472-3432 or complete the online pre-application on the Department of Public Health website, then attend a scheduled appointment at your local WIC clinic with proof of identity, residency, income, and recent medical measurements.¹ A family of four earning up to $61,050 per year can qualify, and anyone already on Medicaid, SNAP, or TANF meets the income test automatically.²

Who Qualifies

Eligibility rests on three things: your category, your household income, and a nutritional risk finding from a health professional at the clinic. You must live in South Carolina, but there is no minimum length of residency.

The eligible categories are:

Pregnant women, throughout pregnancy and for six weeks after delivery.
Postpartum women who are not breastfeeding, for up to six months after delivery.
Breastfeeding women, until the infant’s first birthday.
Infants, from birth to their first birthday.
Children, from age one through the end of the month they turn five.

The nutritional risk screening happens at your appointment and looks for conditions like anemia, being underweight or overweight, a history of pregnancy complications, or a diet lacking key nutrients.³ In practice, most applicants who meet the category and income rules are found to have at least one qualifying risk.

Income Limits for 2026

Your gross household income must fall at or below 185% of the federal poverty guidelines:²

1 person: $29,526
2 people: $40,034
3 people: $50,542
4 people: $61,050
5 people: $71,558
6 people: $82,066
7 people: $92,574
8 people: $103,082

Add $10,508 for each additional household member beyond eight. WIC offices typically apply the updated figures starting in July.

If anyone in your household already receives SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid, skip the income math. This is called adjunctive eligibility: bring your active Medicaid card, SNAP notice, or TANF paperwork and the income requirement is met.³

Foster Children and Military Families

All foster children under age five are automatically eligible. The child counts as a one-person household, and the only income considered is the foster care payment from the South Carolina Department of Social Services; the foster family’s own income does not count. Bring the DSS foster parent contract or placement letter, a statement of foster care payments, proof of residency, and ID for the child.⁴

Military families stationed in South Carolina can apply, and receiving BAH or BAS does not automatically disqualify you. Military pay calculations get complicated, so call a local WIC office and walk through your specifics before you apply.

Documents to Bring

Gather these before your appointment so you don’t need a second visit:⁵

Proof of identity. One form for yourself (driver’s license, state photo ID, passport, or Social Security card) and one for each child applying (birth certificate, Social Security card, Medicaid card, crib card for infants under 12 months, or school ID).
Proof of residency. One document showing your physical street address, such as a utility bill, mortgage statement, or rental agreement. P.O. boxes are not accepted.
Proof of income. Recent pay stubs for everyone in the household. An active Medicaid card or SNAP eligibility notice can substitute. If income fluctuates, you may need to bring additional stubs.
Medical data. Height, weight, and hemoglobin level for each person applying, and head circumference for infants and children under 24 months. Your doctor or pediatrician can complete the SC WIC Medical Referral Form. The data should be no more than 60 days old.⁴

No recent doctor’s visit? The clinic can sometimes take measurements and draw blood on site. Call ahead to confirm whether your local office does this.

Scheduling and the Appointment

You have two ways to start. The fastest is calling 1-855-472-3432, where staff schedule your appointment directly. You can also create an account through the DPH online pre-application, which sends your information to your preferred health department; a WIC staff member then contacts you to set a time.¹ Completing the pre-application does not guarantee enrollment. It just reduces paperwork at the office.

At the visit, a health professional reviews your documents, runs the nutritional risk screening, and verifies eligibility. A nutritionist then talks through your dietary needs and sets goals tailored to your situation or your child’s age. Identity, income, health screening, and nutrition education all happen in one session. Most families go from first phone call to a loaded benefits card within a couple of weeks, though clinic availability varies by county.

If English is not your primary language, free interpreter services are available. Contact the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Civil Rights Office at 888-808-4238 (TTY: 888-842-3620) to arrange language assistance before your visit.

Getting Your eWIC Card

Once you’re certified, the clinic issues an eWIC card loaded with your food benefits. Activate the card and set a PIN by calling 1-855-279-0679. You’ll need the 16-digit card number on the front, your zip code, and the primary cardholder’s date of birth.⁶

The card works like a debit card at any SC WIC-authorized store. Swipe, enter your PIN, and the register automatically applies your approved items. Check your balance anytime by calling 1-855-279-0680 or logging into WICConnect.com and selecting “SCWIC” from the dropdown.⁶

How Long Certification Lasts

Your certification length depends on your category:⁷

Pregnant women: the length of pregnancy and up to six weeks postpartum.
Postpartum women not breastfeeding: until six months after delivery.
Breastfeeding women: as long as they are breastfeeding or until the infant’s first birthday.
Infants: until their first birthday.
Children: one-year periods, through the end of the month they turn five.

Before certification expires, you’ll need a recertification appointment. It mirrors the first visit: updated income documentation and another health screening. If you miss the window, benefits stop until you complete a new appointment, so watch for notices from the clinic as your end date approaches.

If you believe a decision about your eligibility or benefits was made in error, you have the right to request a fair hearing to appeal.⁸

1
South Carolina Department of Public Health. Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program
2
HHS ASPE. 2026 Poverty Guidelines – Detailed Tables
3
eCFR. 7 CFR 246.7 – Certification of Participants
4
South Carolina Department of Public Health. A Guide to Foster Children and WIC
5
South Carolina Department of Public Health. Apply for WIC – Its as Easy as 1-2-3
6
South Carolina Department of Public Health. eWIC Card Guide
7
South Carolina Department of Public Health. What Happens Once Approved
8
South Carolina Department of Public Health. WIC Fraud Prevention