How to Cancel WIC Benefits

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If you’ve decided that you don’t need WIC benefits anymore, you’re probably wondering how to leave the program. Luckily, canceling WIC benefits involves nothing more than a simple phone call, and we’re here to walk you through it. If you're on the fence about whether or not you should cancel your WIC benefits, we'll also offer some guidance on how to make the best decision for you and your family.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Cancelling Your WIC Benefits

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  1. This information was likely provided to you when you started the program, so check through your records. But if you’re having trouble finding it, you can also call your county’s health department, and they can redirect you to your local office. [1]
    • The federal website for WIC benefits can also give you the contact information for your state’s WIC administration. Follow this link, and then select the state you live in: https://www.fns.usda.gov/contacts/contact-map?f%5B0%5D=program%3A32
    • Depending on where you live, the number for your local WIC office may not be the same as the customer service line for canceling a lost WIC card. If you do end up calling the customer service line instead of your local office, ask them if they can redirect you. [2]
  2. Let them know that you would like to cancel your participation in the program. You can tell them something like:
    • “Hi, I’m calling to cancel my WIC benefits. I’d like to stop participating in the program, and allow other people to take my appointment slots and benefits. Thank you.”
    • The WIC office may ask you for a reason why you want to leave the program, but you aren’t obligated to provide one. You can just say, “This was a choice I made due to some changing circumstances,” and leave it at that.
    • If you are planning on moving to another state, you don’t need to cancel your participation in the program. Tell your local office that you are moving, and they can transfer your benefits to your new address. [3]
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  3. Letting the office know that you want to cancel your remaining appointments will help out other families in need, since appointment slots can be rare. [4]
    • Try to avoid stopping your participation in the program without letting your office know. Although you will automatically be removed from the program by simply not showing up to your appointments, doing so takes away appointment slots for others in need. [5]
    • To cancel your appointments, you can say something like, “Because I won’t be participating in the program any longer, please cancel my remaining appointments. I’d like them to go to other people who might need them.”
  4. If your local WIC agency doesn’t immediately cancel your card, you should be able to use your eWIC card to buy items until the end of the month. Feel free to take a trip to the grocery store to make any last-minute purchases. [6]
    • When you cancel your benefits, you can ask your local office if these benefits will still last until the end of the month. Different offices may have different guidelines here, so it doesn’t hurt to check.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Deciding To Cancel Your WIC Benefits

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  1. If you’ve come into an additional source of money, you may no longer need your benefits. Since WIC comes with restrictions on what kinds of food you can purchase, you might choose to buy other products when you’re off the program. [7]
    • Each state decides its own income cutoff for WIC benefits, which falls anywhere between 100% to 185% of the federal poverty line. For a household size of 3, the poverty line is currently at approximately $22,000 a year in annual income. This means that if you have a household of 3 people, your state’s cutoff for WIC benefits will fall anywhere from $22,000-$40,700 (which is 185% of $22,000). Contact your local office to find out what their income cutoff is. [8]
    • As a participant in the program, your eligibility will be reassessed every 6 months. You might choose to cancel your benefits ahead of time if your income level places you outside of eligibility. [9]
  2. Being a participant in a WIC program comes with some obligations, including regular meetings with WIC staff. If you’re finding these meetings particularly burdensome, you might choose to cancel your participation. [10]
  3. Giving the WIC office a reason for leaving the program is totally up to you. You have the right to decide which sources of support you accept. There is no need to feel pressured to explain the choices that you decide are best for your family. [11]
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.tn.gov/health/health-program-areas/fhw/wic.html
      2. ↑ https://www.health.ny.gov/prevention/nutrition/wic/ewic/docs/ewic_guide.pdf
      3. ↑ https://wicassistance.org/after-applying-for-wic/out-of-state-transfers/
      4. ↑ https://www.fns.usda.gov/wic
      5. ↑ https://www.michigan.gov/documents/mdch/3.01_Combined_Appt_Sched__Follow-up_333318_7.pdf
      6. ↑ http://www.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/wic/wic-faq.html
      7. ↑ http://www.bridgetobenefits.org/Women_Infants_and_Children_WIC#faq_d831592158f24eecae55bc8d88cddb59
      8. ↑ https://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/wic-eligibility-requirements
      9. ↑ http://www.bridgetobenefits.org/Women_Infants_and_Children_WIC#faq_d831592158f24eecae55bc8d88cddb59
      1. ↑ https://www.michigan.gov/documents/mdch/3.01_Combined_Appt_Sched__Follow-up_333318_7.pdf
      2. ↑ https://eohhs.ehs.state.ma.us/DTA/PolicyOnline/olg%20docs/form/15/vw-1.pdf

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