What Formula Does WIC Cover in Kentucky? Brands, Amounts, and eWIC

In Kentucky, WIC covers four standard Similac infant formulas without a prescription — Similac Advance, Similac Total Comfort, Similac Sensitive, and Similac Soy Isomil — because the state holds its contract with Abbott Laboratories. Dozens of other brands, including Enfamil and Gerber products, specialty hypoallergenic formulas, and amino acid-based formulas, are also available when a healthcare provider submits medical documentation.¹

The Four Contract Formulas

Under guidelines effective October 1, 2025, these are the Similac products a Kentucky WIC participant can receive without any prescription:

Similac Advance, the primary milk-based formula that every healthy infant must try first.
Similac Total Comfort, a partially hydrolyzed, reduced-lactose option.
Similac Sensitive, for infants with lactose sensitivity.
Similac Soy Isomil, a soy-based alternative for infants who cannot tolerate milk-based formulas.

For a healthy baby with access to drinkable water, Kentucky WIC requires Similac Advance as the starting formula. If it doesn’t work, the infant must then try one of the other three contract options before any non-contract brand can be authorized.¹

Trying and Switching Between Formulas

Every formula has to be tried for at least 72 hours before Kentucky WIC will consider a switch. The exceptions are severe reactions like projectile vomiting, skin rash, or bloody stools, which justify an immediate change. Once a switch is approved, the program uses a four-day transition: on day one the bottle is three-quarters old formula and one-quarter new, and by day four the infant drinks the new formula exclusively.¹

This trial rule is what gates access to non-contract brands. If your baby isn’t medically fragile, the local WIC office will usually want documented unsuccessful trials of the relevant contract formulas before approving something like Enfamil Gentlease or Good Start.²

Getting a Non-Contract Formula Covered

Anything outside the four Similac contract products requires a prescription. The prescribing provider — a physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse — must submit documentation listing the specific formula, a valid medical diagnosis with an ICD code, and how long the infant needs it.¹

Common non-contract formulas Kentucky WIC can approve, after the required contract-brand trials, include:

Milk-based alternatives: Enfamil Infant and Good Start Dr. Brown’s Gentle Pro, after trying Similac Advance and then Similac Total Comfort.
Lactose-free or reduced-lactose options: Enfamil Gentlease and Good Start Dr. Brown’s Soothe Pro, after trying Similac Total Comfort and then Similac Sensitive or Soy Isomil.
Soy-based alternatives: Enfamil Prosobee and Good Start Dr. Brown’s Soy-ease, after trying Similac Soy Isomil.
Reflux or GERD: Enfamil AR. Kentucky WIC notes there is no contract-brand reflux formula, so Enfamil AR can be prescribed with appropriate documentation.

Two products are specifically flagged as not WIC-eligible in the current guidelines: Gerber Good Start Soy Stage 2 and Enfamil Reguline.¹

Hypoallergenic and Amino Acid-Based Formulas

Infants with severe cow’s milk protein allergy or multiple food protein allergies can receive specialized “exempt” formulas without first trying the contract brands, as long as the prescription includes a qualifying diagnosis. Covered infant products include:

Extensively hydrolyzed formulas: Nutramigen, Similac Alimentum, Pregestimil, and Gerber Extensive HA.
Amino acid-based formulas: EleCare, Neocate Infant, PurAmino, and Alfamino.

For children ages one through five who still need medical formula, the program covers products like Neocate Junior, EleCare Jr., Alfamino Jr., PurAmino, and pediatric nutritional drinks including PediaSure, Boost Kid Essentials, and Peptamen Junior.³

Some exempt formulas can be approved at the local WIC office by trained staff, while less common products require review by the State WIC Office.²

Formula After 9 Months and After the First Birthday

Kentucky WIC covers toddler transition formulas like Enfagrow Toddler Transitions for infants aged 9 to 12 months, but only with a prescription and only when the infant has already tried the relevant contract formulas with documented problems.¹

After 12 months, WIC generally does not provide infant formula. Children move to whole milk, which the program supplies through age two. In rare cases involving a medical condition, a provider can prescribe extended infant formula or low-fat milk for a child over 12 months.⁴

How Much Formula You Get Each Month

The amount depends on whether the infant is fully formula-fed or partially breastfed. Kentucky WIC issues formula in powder, liquid concentrate, or ready-to-feed form, with the ceilings measured in fluid ounces of reconstituted formula.

Fully Formula-Fed

Birth through 3 months: up to 870 fluid ounces (powder).
4 through 5 months: up to 960 fluid ounces (powder).
6 through 11 months: up to 696 fluid ounces (powder).

Partially Breastfed

Birth through 3 months: up to 435 fluid ounces.
4 through 5 months: up to 522 fluid ounces.
6 through 11 months: up to 384 fluid ounces.

These numbers are maximums, not standard issue. WIC staff tailor the amount to each infant’s assessed needs and provide the minimum necessary to meet nutritional requirements. For partially breastfed infants, the program works from a chart tied to daily intake: a baby drinking only a few ounces of formula per day may receive as little as one can per month, while a baby drinking around 25 ounces daily could receive up to nine cans.²

Buying Formula With the eWIC Card

Kentucky WIC benefits are loaded onto an electronic benefits transfer card, usually called an eWIC card. You can shop at authorized retailers, which include Kroger and Walmart along with smaller stores like Save A Lot and various independent grocers.⁵

You must buy the exact formula type and size listed on your EBT shopping list. The WICShopper app lets you scan a product’s barcode in the store to confirm it matches your specific benefit package. When paying with more than one method, swipe the eWIC card first. The checkout receipt shows your remaining benefits for the month, and unused benefits do not roll over.⁶

Selling or trading WIC formula is prohibited and can result in disqualification from the program and criminal charges.⁶

1
Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services. Kentucky WIC Program Standard Infant Formula Guidelines
2
Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services. Policy Group Food Package Assignment
3
Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services. Medical Necessity Forms
4
wichealth.org. Formula After 12 Months
5
North Central District Health Department. WIC Vendors
6
Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services. WIC-Approved Foods