Tennessee WIC
Last updated August 2026
WIC pays for healthy food for pregnant and new mothers, babies, and children under 5 in Tennessee. Milk, eggs, cheese, cereal, peanut butter, fruits and vegetables, and baby food load onto a TNWIC card you swipe at approved stores and some pharmacies. There is no online application; call 1-800-342-5942, which spells 1-800-DIAL-WIC, to find your clinic. In Memphis and Shelby County, call (901) 222-9980 instead.
The income limit reaches many working families. Through June 2027, a family of four can earn up to $61,050 a year before taxes; one person, $29,526; add about $10,508 per extra person. And if you already get SNAP, TennCare, or Families First, the income test is settled. Bring proof of that enrollment and skip the paperwork.
Dads, grandparents, foster parents, and guardians can sign up a child. WIC is not only for mothers. The child under 5 is the one who qualifies; any adult raising them can apply on their behalf.
The visit is the application, and it doubles as a health check. Clinic staff measure height and weight, may do a quick finger-stick blood check, and talk with you about your family's eating. That conversation is what finds the nutrition need that qualifies you. It is not a test you can fail by saying the wrong thing.
WIC stacks on top of SNAP, never instead of it. Hold both at once. A pregnancy is also the week to apply for TennCare or CoverKids, and if you need food before your appointment, 2-1-1 finds the nearest pantry, no questions asked.
Phone 1-800-342-5942
Help available in English and Spanish.
Updated August 2026 Program details can change — confirm with the program directly.
Who qualifies
- Pregnant, postpartum, or breastfeeding women, and infants and children up to age 5, who live in Tennessee and have a nutritional need
- Household income at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty level; if anyone in the household already gets TennCare, SNAP, or Families First, you automatically meet the WIC income test
You may qualify. The program makes the final decision.
How to apply
- 1
Call 1-800-342-5942 to find your clinic, or look up your county at tn.gov/health/wic. Tennessee has WIC sites at 126 health departments and clinics. Shelby County: (901) 222-9980.
- 2
Book a certification appointment. The clinic tells you exactly what to bring when you book.
- 3
Bring ID, proof you live in Tennessee, and income proof, or just proof you get SNAP, TennCare, or Families First.
- 4
Do the visit: height and weight, a possible finger-stick check, and the nutrition conversation. Benefits get set up on the spot if you qualify.
- 5
Shop with the TNWIC card and PIN at approved stores. The free WICShopper app scans items to show what your card covers and tracks your balance.
- 6
Keep your follow-up appointments to stay certified, and if you move out of state, call 1-800-342-5942 for a transfer paper so you do not start over.
What to have ready
- ID for you and each child you are enrolling
- Proof of Tennessee residence, like a utility bill or lease
- Proof of income, or proof of SNAP, TennCare, or Families First enrollment, which settles income automatically
- Your clinic confirms the exact list when you book.
What the application looks like
Common questions
What is the income limit for WIC in Tennessee?
185 percent of the poverty level, on income before taxes. Through June 2027 that is $29,526 a year for one person, $40,034 for two, $50,542 for three, $61,050 for four. On SNAP, TennCare, or Families First? You already pass.
How do I apply for Tennessee WIC?
Call 1-800-342-5942 (1-800-DIAL-WIC) to find your clinic and book a certification visit; in Shelby County call (901) 222-9980. There is no online application. The visit itself is the application.
Who can apply for WIC?
Pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, babies, and children under 5. Fathers, grandparents, foster parents, and legal guardians can apply for a child under 5 too.
What happens at the WIC appointment?
A short health assessment: height and weight, sometimes a finger-stick blood check, and a conversation about your family's eating. If you qualify, benefits are set up at that visit on a TNWIC card.
Can I get WIC and SNAP at the same time?
Yes, and you should. They stack. SNAP carries the grocery budget; WIC adds specific healthy foods, baby food, and formula on top. Ask the clinic which formula brands your card covers.
What if WIC turns me down or cuts me off?
Ask for a fair hearing. You have 90 days from the notice, and every clinic posts the appeal steps. Ask the staff to point you to them.
Not sure this is the right program for your situation?
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