Does the Dollar Store Take WIC Benefits?

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is a federal nutrition program. It provides supplemental nutritious foods, nutrition education, and referrals to healthcare and other social services for low-income pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and young children.

Using WIC at Dollar Stores

Dollar stores, such as Dollar General, Family Dollar, and Dollar Tree, generally do not accept WIC benefits. While some individual Dollar General locations might be authorized WIC vendors, this is not a widespread practice across the chains. State WIC agencies authorize specific retailers to accept benefits, and these stores must meet particular criteria, including stocking a required variety and quantity of WIC-approved foods. Many dollar store formats often do not maintain the diverse inventory of fresh produce, specific brands, and sizes of WIC-approved items necessary to meet these vendor requirements.

Understanding WIC

The program serves pregnant women, breastfeeding women up to an infant’s first birthday, non-breastfeeding postpartum women up to six months after pregnancy, and infants and children up to age five. Eligibility is determined by income, typically at or below 185% of the federal poverty level, or by participation in programs like Medicaid or SNAP.

WIC benefits cover specific food items designed to supplement participants’ diets with essential nutrients. These commonly include fruits and vegetables, whole grains such as bread and cereals, milk, cheese, eggs, and infant formula. Other approved items can include beans, peanut butter, and certain types of juice and fish. The exact types, brands, and sizes of foods vary by state and individual participant’s nutritional needs.

Finding WIC Approved Stores

Authorized retailers display a WIC logo, often on their front window, indicating their participation. Participants can locate approved stores through several methods provided by their state WIC program.

Many state WIC agencies offer online store locators on their websites, allowing users to search by ZIP code, city, or store name. Some states also provide mobile applications that help identify nearby WIC-authorized vendors and scan product barcodes to confirm WIC eligibility. Participants can also contact their local WIC clinic for a list of approved retailers or check their WIC shopping guide. Most major grocery store chains and many independent grocers are WIC-approved.