Does Amazon Take WIC? (The Answer Is Not So Simple)

Some Amazon grocery service does accept WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) as a form of payment. However, Amazon's online retail store doesn't accept it. Why? Keep reading!

Millions of low-income families depend on the WIC program for food and nutrition support. If you're a participant in the WIC program and are wondering if you may use your WIC card to make purchases on Amazon, you're not alone. We were wondering the same; the following is what we uncovered.

Table Of Contents

Does Amazon Take WIC?

Unfortunately, Amazon does not accept WIC as a form of payment on their online store. This is the same for SNAP. Both programs use Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards to purchase eligible foods in authorized retail food stores. Amazon is, unfortunately, not one of the stores where you shop using the cards.

Even though there is no official specific reason why Amazon does not accept the cards, it may be presumed that different state laws governing the use of the cards make it difficult for Amazon to support the cards officially.

However, if you are a beneficiary of the WIC program, you can get discounts on Amazon Prime. Additionally, you may be able to purchase select items using the card if you visit one of Whole Foods' physical stores.

What Is The WIC Program?

WIC, formally known as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, is an assistance program by the government aimed at giving aid to low-income families needing help. The program is one of the most utilised programs in the United States—up to 53% of new infants are beneficiaries of the program.

It should be noted that not all foods are included in the program. Beneficiaries of the program's primary focus are expectant women, new mothers, and their infants. This is reflected in the kinds of foods that are approved. Milk, vegetables, fruit, legumes, and juice are all examples of supported foods.

Why Doesn’t Amazon Accept WIC?

As aforementioned, there is no apparent reason why Amazon does not accept WIC as a form of payment. Nonetheless, Amazon may be hesitant to fully commit to taking the cards for a variety of reasons. The first reason may be attributed to the strict WIC guidelines put in place by the Department of Agriculture, precluding many businesses from accepting EBT cards as a method of payment.

Furthermore, the guidelines differ from state to state making it difficult for Amazon to support the cards. Additionally, not all states give their WIC beneficiaries a corresponding EBT card. Some states, such as Georgia, have been providing aid via cheques or vouchers. This is, however, bound to change since the state government has started issuing eWIC cards. Another setback with the WIC cards is that they can only be used in the state in which they were given.

For instance, if your card was issued in Florida, you may only use the card in stores located in Florida—the card can not be used in any other state. As you can see, WIC cards are not as flexible as credit or debit cards. This might explain why Amazon is holding back on supporting the cards as a valid payment method.

Are WIC Cards Accepted At Whole Foods?

As you may know, Whole Foods is owned by Amazon. Amazon’s acquisition of Whole Foods was perhaps the company's most significant leap into the grocery industry. So you may wonder, are WIC cards accepted at Whole Foods retail stores? Let’s find out. As of 2022, Whole Foods accept WIC cards as a valid payment method for eligible food items. Some WIC-approved food items at Whole Foods include:

Baby food
Cheese
Milk
Eggs
Canned Fish
Soy Products.

For a complete list of WIC-approved foods, visit the USDA site. The complete list contains a wide variety of foods to choose from, each of which provides a great load of nutritional value. There are no food purchase restrictions when using your WIC card at Whole Foods. However, some foods, like milk and eggs, may have restrictions on how much you can buy at once.

Who Is Eligible For WIC?

All low-income expectant moms, new mothers, and children under the age of five are eligible to apply for WIC cards. The program is administered at a federal level, meaning state agencies are responsible for determining an applicant's eligibility and providing them with the benefits and services. To apply for the program, you must contact your state or local agency to apply for the program and set up an appointment. For more details on how to apply for the program, visit the USDA site.

What Are The Other Benefits Of Having A WIC Card?

Aside from providing food and nutritional support, WIC also provides nutrition education and breastfeeding support. Foods for the WIC program are selected with their nutritional content and compliance with USDA guidelines in mind. Furthermore, depending on your eligibility category, WIC will offer you a certain number of servings of a certain food type.

Does Amazon Accept Snap?

With the exception of the states of Alaska, Hawaii, Louisiana, and Montana, SNAP EBT benefits can be used at both Amazon Fresh and Amazon.com. If you qualify for WIC, you probably qualify for SNAP as well. You would benefit the most by applying to both programs.

What Forms Of Payment Does Amazon Accept?

Amazon accepts a wide variety of payment methods. You should, therefore, not worry if you can not use your WIC card for payment. The following are some of the accepted forms of payment accepted at Amazon.com.

Visa and Mastercard cards.
JCB
Amazon Gift Cards
SNAP EBT
NYCE
STAR
Dinners Club.

Bottom Line

Unfortunately, Amazon does not allow WIC EBT cards as a payment method in the online retail store. The card is, however, accepted in Whole Foods stores, where you can use the card to purchase certain eligible products. Some of the eligible products include eggs, pasta, formula, and canned fish.

All low-income mothers and soon-to-be mothers are eligible for the program. You, however, need to contact your local state agency to apply for the product. It is also important to note that if you are eligible for WIC, you are most probably eligible for SNAP. If you're truly in need of financial assistance, you should apply to both.