T he tips on this page will help you use both your WIC and SNAP benefits to get the most for your food dollars. Learning how to shop to get the most out of your food benefits may take some time and practice. Let's begin!

Stretch your dollars to the end of the month!

FOR WIC

  • Always use your WIC benefits first to avoid losing any value at the end of the month.

  • WIC benefits expire on the last day to use them by. Find this date on your shopping list, benefits balance, check, voucher, or shopper app. You can also call the number on the back of your eWIC card.

  • WIC is a “supplemental” food program. It does not provide 100% of your needs. This is why “stacking” or combining your benefits works best. Keep this in mind when shopping with your WIC benefits.

  • Look for the “We Accept WIC” sign or ask your local WIC agency for a list of approved vendors.

You will need to recertify with WIC, usually every 6 months to a year, to keep receiving your benefits. Recertify for WIC as soon as you get your notice. That way you won’t be without WIC.

FOR SNAP

  • The amount of money you will get from SNAP every month rolls over to the next month. This means if you do not use it all, you do not lose it. Your first day to use your WIC benefits may be different from the day you get your SNAP.
  • Pay attention to your certification periods when planning. You may need to recertify to keep benefits up-to-date before they expire.

Always grocery shop with your: 

  • Shopping list and a beginning balance of approved foods left on your WIC eWIC card
  • SNAP Benefits card
  • WIC eWIC card (If you still have WIC checks, bring the checks for the right month, your WIC envelope with WIC ID, and remember to only sign your checks at the store at checkout.) 
  • State's WIC approved foods list or shopper app.

Before you shop:

  • See what foods you already have at home.
  • Make a meal plan--check out our Making a Meal Plan Lesson.
  • Find recipes in Health eKitchen.
  • Gather your paper and digital coupons.
  • Create a shopping list.
  • Highlight the foods on your list that will be purchased with your WIC benefits.
  • Eat before you shop. That way you shop with your list and not your stomach. This will save you from unnecessary purchases!
  • If possible, take reusable shopping bags with you. Save the planet by saving plastic from the landfill!

At the store:

  • Put WIC first- WIC benefits expire after the last day to use them. Buy WIC foods first to save SNAP dollars for later. 
  • Organize your food basket at the store by separating your WIC foods from the rest of the items.
  • Use money-savers like BOGOs (Buy One Get One), store promotions, and coupons. These can be used with WIC foods to increase your buying power. Do not buy foods you don’t normally use, just because they are a good deal. Always check your receipt to make sure you got your deals.

At the register:

  • Use your WIC eWIC card first for your WIC food.
  • Next, use your SNAP Benefits card for the remaining food. 
  • Then use any other benefits like temporary cash assistance. 
  • Lastly, use your own personal money.

Use all your benefits! 

  • Use any extra benefits to buy items you know your family will use in the future.
  • Choose canned goods, dried beans, rice, and frozen foods to help build your foods on hand.

Did You Know?