eWIC - Local Agency

The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, Public Law 111-296, was implemented to increase access to healthy food for low-income children, and mandates that states must implement electronic benefit transfer (EBT) by October 1, 2020 (42 U.S.C. 1786 et. seq.) for all Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program benefits. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services’ (DHSS) WIC program is fully operating with an EBT system called eWIC.

WIC benefits are loaded for current and future months on the eWIC card making it easier to redeem benefits for participants and retailers.

Social Media / Website Outreach Campaign Material

eWIC Promo Video (.mp4)

eWIC Hands-on Training

eWIC Hands-on Training (printable handout)

MOWINS eWIC Trainings

eWIC Training Powerpoint

eWIC Training Powerpoint (printable handout)

Missouri eWIC Guide

Reading Your eWIC Receipt

Helping Participants Use eWIC

Example of eWIC Shopping List

Example of eWIC Account Balance

Troubleshooting eWIC Card Issues

Assign eWIC Benefits Instructions

Local Agency eWIC Checklist

What is an eWIC card?

An eWIC card holds WIC food benefits that the participant can use at the grocery store.

Will SNAP benefits and WIC benefits be on the same card?

No. The eWIC card for the WIC program is separate from the EBT card for the SNAP program.

Will the eWIC card have three (3) months’ worth of benefits loaded onto it?

Yes. The eWIC card has the ability to hold three (3) months’ worth of benefits. Unused benefits expire the last day of the benefit month at midnight. Participants have to return to the WIC clinic to receive additional benefits and nutrition education.

Will there be one (1) card for all household members on WIC?

Yes. All family members on WIC in the same household have their benefits on one (1) card. Foster children receive their own cards. The same card is used at every appointment to add the next set of benefits. The card is not to be used and then thrown away.

Who can change the PIN?

Only the authorized representative can change the PIN for an eWIC card.

Do participants need to show identification with their eWIC card at the grocery store?

No. Proper identification is not required with the eWIC card at the grocery store. The PIN is the participant’s identification for using the card.

How does the eWIC card work at the store?

The process is very similar to using a debit or credit card. At checkout, the eWIC card is inserted into the card reader and WIC approved items are deducted from the balance of the benefit package on the card. Any non-WIC items will then be purchased by another method of payment. Unused benefits remain on the card until they expire the last day of the month at midnight.

What happens if a participant loses their card?

If a participant loses their eWIC card, it is disabled and placed on the Hot Card List. After a 5-day waiting period the authorized representative must go to their local agency with appropriate proof of identity to get a new card issued.

Can eWIC cards be used at self-checkout registers?

No. Technology is still under development by retailers.

Can participants shop in other states with their Missouri eWIC card?

No. Missouri eWIC cards are ONLY accepted at Missouri authorized WIC retailers.

How does the authorized representative change the PIN?

The authorized representative must visit their local agency to reset the PIN.

Does the checkout process change if the household has multiple eWIC cards, when there are foster children?

Each eWIC card must have a separate transaction. Multiple eWIC cards cannot be used in one transaction.