If you are a new mom or an expectant mother, you might be wondering what WIC is all about and how to locate a WIC store. This guide is here to help you understand what WIC is, how it works, and where to find a WIC store.
What is WIC?
WIC is the USDA Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children. WIC provides nutrition and breastfeeding services and supplemental foods to pregnant women, new mothers, infants and children up to their 5th birthday.
WIC gives you resources, knowledge and tools to help you and support your family.
It’s free for moms, dads, grandparents, foster parents and all in Santa Barbara, California families who qualify.
Eligibility for WIC
To be eligible for WIC in Santa Barbara, California, you must meet the following criteria:
- Live in the state where you apply for WIC.
- Be a pregnant, breastfeeding, or postpartum woman, an infant, or a child under the age of five.
- Be at nutritional risk, which means that there is a medical or dietary condition that can be improved by participating in the WIC program.
- Meet the income guidelines in Santa Barbara, California, which vary by state.
Benefits of WIC
There are four key parts to the WIC program:
1. Healthy Foods. WIC foods include fruits and vegetables, whole grains, eggs, milk, cheese, yogurt, peanut butter/beans, cereal, juice, infant foods and formula.
2. Breastfeeding Support. WIC provides breastfeeding education, support, and breast pumps to qualifying participants.
3. Nutrition Education. Nutrition information, tools and solutions for parenting, nutrition and a healthy lifestyle.
4. Health Care Referrals. Personalized referrals to health services and other community resources.
How to apply for WIC
To apply for WIC in Santa Barbara, California, follow these steps:
1. Find a local WIC agency: Use the WIC agency locator on your state Department of Health and Human Services website to find a WIC agency near you.
2. Make an appointment: Call the WIC agency to schedule an appointment. Be prepared to provide information about your income, residency, and family size.
3. Attend the appointment: At the appointment, you will meet with a WIC staff member who will assess your nutritional risk and provide nutrition education.
4. Receive WIC checks: If you are eligible, you will receive WIC checks that can be used to purchase WIC-approved foods at a WIC store.
What to expect during the WIC appointment
- Check your height and weight to determine your body mass index (BMI).
- Take a blood sample to test for anemia.
- Discuss your medical and dietary history to determine your nutritional risk.
- Provide nutrition education on healthy eating, breastfeeding, and infant feeding.
WIC Stores
WIC benefits are widely accepted for eligible food items at various stores in Santa Barbara, California:
Stores Accept WIC Card in Santa Barbara, California
7 Eleven Store 13900 F
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 3/27/2020
Address :
1909 Cliff Dr,
Santa Barbara, CA 93109.
Get Directions
7 Eleven Store 20338 C
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 12/2/2019
Address :
3430 State St,
Santa Barbara, CA 93105.
Get Directions
7 Eleven Store 35505A
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 4/28/2015
Address :
1936 State St,
Santa Barbara, CA 93101.
Get Directions
7 Eleven Store 38318 A
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 6/26/2020
Address :
700 State St,
Santa Barbara, CA 93101.
Get Directions
7-Eleven 18822 D
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 12/6/2007
Address :
331 W Montecito St,
Santa Barbara, CA 93101.
Get Directions
7-Eleven Store 38172H
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 7/13/2021
Address :
5342 Hollister Ave,
Santa Barbara, CA 93111.
Get Directions
7Eleven Store 36958H
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 6/15/2021
Address :
402 N Milpas St,
Santa Barbara, CA 93103.
Get Directions
99 Cents Only Store 339
Store Details :
- Type: Combination Grocery/Other
- Authorization Date: 11/8/2011
Address :
424 State St,
Santa Barbara, CA 93101.
Get Directions
Arts Market
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 11/28/2007
Address :
1104 Cacique St,
Santa Barbara, CA 93103.
Get Directions
Bristol Farms 18
Store Details :
- Type: Combination Grocery/Other
- Authorization Date: 8/5/2020
Address :
3855 State St,
Santa Barbara, CA 93105.
Get Directions
Brownies Market & Deli 2
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 2/20/2017
Address :
435 De la Vina St,
Santa Barbara, CA 93101.
Get Directions
CHAPALA MARKET
Store Details :
- Type: Supermarket
- Authorization Date: 9/18/1997
Address :
605 N Milpas St,
Santa Barbara, CA 93103.
Get Directions
Chevron 1850
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 8/13/2015
Address :
115 S la Cumbre Rd,
Santa Barbara, CA 93105.
Get Directions
Corner Market Too
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 2/9/2010
Address :
1700 San Andres St,
Santa Barbara, CA 93101.
Get Directions
Crown Liquor
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 1/17/2017
Address :
2 N Milpas St,
Santa Barbara, CA 93103.
Get Directions
CVS Pharmacy 10913
Store Details :
- Type: Combination Grocery/Other
- Authorization Date: 11/7/2016
Address :
336 N MILPAS ST,
Santa Barbara, CA 93103.
Get Directions
CVS Pharmacy 9333
Store Details :
- Type: Combination Grocery/Other
- Authorization Date: 6/13/2009
Address :
1282 Coast Village Rd,
Santa Barbara, CA 93108.
Get Directions
CVS Pharmacy 9335
Store Details :
- Type: Combination Grocery/Other
- Authorization Date: 4/29/2009
Address :
3939 State St,
Santa Barbara, CA 93105.
Get Directions
CVS Pharmacy 9392
Store Details :
- Type: Combination Grocery/Other
- Authorization Date: 3/9/2009
Address :
1109 State St,
Santa Barbara, CA 93101.
Get Directions
CVS Pharmacy 9567
Store Details :
- Type: Combination Grocery/Other
- Authorization Date: 6/2/2010
Address :
1835 Cliff Dr,
Santa Barbara, CA 93109.
Get Directions
CVS Pharmacy 9737
Store Details :
- Type: Combination Grocery/Other
- Authorization Date: 12/22/2008
Address :
189 S Turnpike Rd,
Santa Barbara, CA 93111.
Get Directions
CVS Pharmacy 9824
Store Details :
- Type: Combination Grocery/Other
- Authorization Date: 5/6/2009
Address :
2973 State St,
Santa Barbara, CA 93105.
Get Directions
CVS Pharmacy 9860
Store Details :
- Type: Combination Grocery/Other
- Authorization Date: 12/16/2008
Address :
222 W Carrillo Street,
Santa Barbara, CA 93101.
Get Directions
De La Guerra Market Inc
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 9/12/2016
Address :
601 W de la Guerra St,
Santa Barbara, CA 93101.
Get Directions
European Deli & Market
Store Details :
- Type: Medium Grocery Store
- Authorization Date: 9/4/2009
Address :
4422 Hollister Ave,
Santa Barbara, CA 93110.
Get Directions
Fairway Liquor Corp.
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 2/10/2020
Address :
128 S Salinas St,
Santa Barbara, CA 93103.
Get Directions
GELSON'S MARKETS 17
Store Details :
- Type: Supermarket
- Authorization Date: 9/21/1999
Address :
3305 State St,
Santa Barbara, CA 93105.
Get Directions
Hi Time Liquor
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 7/10/2013
Address :
4010 Calle Real,
Santa Barbara, CA 93110.
Get Directions
La Bamba Market & Deli 1
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 2/28/2017
Address :
235 W Micheltorena St,
Santa Barbara, CA 93101.
Get Directions
Las Positas Liquor Inc
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 1/26/2021
Address :
2283 Las Positas Rd,
Santa Barbara, CA 93105.
Get Directions
LASSEN'S HEALTH FOOD 6
Store Details :
- Type: Supermarket
- Authorization Date: 1/6/2003
Address :
5154 Hollister Ave,
Santa Barbara, CA 93111.
Get Directions
Lazy Acres 0023
Store Details :
- Type: Combination Grocery/Other
- Authorization Date: 3/22/2011
Address :
302 Meigs Rd,
Santa Barbara, CA 93109.
Get Directions
Mashhoon's Foodland
Store Details :
- Type: Large Grocery Store
- Authorization Date: 10/1/2002
Address :
1501 San Andres St,
Santa Barbara, CA 93101.
Get Directions
Mercado El Rey
Store Details :
- Type: Large Grocery Store
- Authorization Date: 8/11/2020
Address :
305 W. Montecito Street,
Santa Barbara, CA 93101.
Get Directions
Mi Fiesta Liquor & Beverages
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 3/17/2020
Address :
833 N Milpas St,
Santa Barbara, CA 93103.
Get Directions
Mi Fiesta Market & Deli
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 12/3/2014
Address :
410 S Salinas St,
Santa Barbara, CA 93103.
Get Directions
Mi Fiesta Market 4
Store Details :
- Type: Medium Grocery Store
- Authorization Date: 5/24/2011
Address :
728 E Haley St,
Santa Barbara, CA 93103.
Get Directions
Milpas Liquor & Deli
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 3/6/2007
Address :
314 N Milpas St,
Santa Barbara, CA 93103.
Get Directions
MISSION LIQUOR & DELI
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 10/14/2003
Address :
601 W Mission St,
Santa Barbara, CA 93101.
Get Directions
Mission Mini Mart Inc 2211216
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 10/26/2020
Address :
402 W Mission St,
Santa Barbara, CA 93101.
Get Directions
Moller Retail, Inc. 6111
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 10/16/2018
Address :
150 S la Cumbre Rd,
Santa Barbara, CA 93105.
Get Directions
RALPHS 10
Store Details :
- Type: Super Store
- Authorization Date: 8/19/2003
Address :
5170 Hollister Ave,
Santa Barbara, CA 93111.
Get Directions
Ralphs Fresh Fare 680
Store Details :
- Type: Super Store
- Authorization Date: 7/6/2001
Address :
100 W Carrillo St,
Santa Barbara, CA 93101.
Get Directions
Red Sand Market & Deli 1
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 5/1/2014
Address :
207 W Anapamu St,
Santa Barbara, CA 93101.
Get Directions
RITE AID 5788
Store Details :
- Type: Combination Grocery/Other
- Authorization Date: 12/9/2004
Address :
35 S Milpas St,
Santa Barbara, CA 93103.
Get Directions
RITE AID 5789
Store Details :
- Type: Combination Grocery/Other
- Authorization Date: 12/9/2004
Address :
825 State St,
Santa Barbara, CA 93101.
Get Directions
RITE AID 5790
Store Details :
- Type: Combination Grocery/Other
- Authorization Date: 12/9/2004
Address :
1976 Cliff Dr,
Santa Barbara, CA 93109.
Get Directions
S B CERTIFIED FARMERS MK
Store Details :
- Type: Farmer's Market
- Authorization Date: 9/29/2020
Address :
Corner of Santa Barbara and Cota,
Santa Barbara, CA 93101.
Get Directions
Santa Barbara Grocery Outlet
Store Details :
- Type: Super Store
- Authorization Date: 3/3/2017
Address :
2840 De la Vina St,
Santa Barbara, CA 93105.
Get Directions
SANTA CRUZ MKT
Store Details :
- Type: Supermarket
- Authorization Date: 1/1/1930
Address :
324 W Montecito St,
Santa Barbara, CA 93101.
Get Directions
SMART & FINAL 391
Store Details :
- Type: Super Store
- Authorization Date: 3/28/1994
Address :
217 E Gutierrez St,
Santa Barbara, CA 93101.
Get Directions
Smart & Final 914
Store Details :
- Type: Super Store
- Authorization Date: 3/18/2016
Address :
3943 State St,
Santa Barbara, CA 93105.
Get Directions
Speedy Mart
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 6/16/2011
Address :
826 N Milpas St,
Santa Barbara, CA 93103.
Get Directions
Sprouts Farmers Market 441
Store Details :
- Type: Supermarket
- Authorization Date: 8/7/2020
Address :
29 S Milpas St,
Santa Barbara, CA 93103.
Get Directions
SUPER CUCAS TAQUERIA & CARNICERIA
Store Details :
- Type: Large Grocery Store
- Authorization Date: 4/29/1996
Address :
626 W Micheltorena St,
Santa Barbara, CA 93101.
Get Directions
Taqueria Y Carniceria Mayo's
Store Details :
- Type: Medium Grocery Store
- Authorization Date: 3/19/2019
Address :
2704 De la Vina St,
Santa Barbara, CA 93105.
Get Directions
Target T3298
Store Details :
- Type: Super Store
- Authorization Date: 3/11/2019
Address :
3891 State St,
Santa Barbara, CA 93105.
Get Directions
Tenaya Market & Eatery
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 2/6/2020
Address :
750 Storke Rd,
Santa Barbara, CA 93106.
Get Directions
The Arbor
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 4/5/2018
Address :
501 University Rd,
Santa Barbara, CA 93106.
Get Directions
TRADER JOE'S 183
Store Details :
- Type: Supermarket
- Authorization Date: 10/15/2003
Address :
3025 De la Vina St,
Santa Barbara, CA 93105.
Get Directions
Trader Joe's 59
Store Details :
- Type: Supermarket
- Authorization Date: 6/30/2003
Address :
222 N Milpas St,
Santa Barbara, CA 93103.
Get Directions
TRI-COUNTY PRODUCE CO.
Store Details :
- Type: Supermarket
- Authorization Date: 10/30/1989
Address :
335 S Milpas St,
Santa Barbara, CA 93103.
Get Directions
United Pacific 0219 219
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 4/18/2019
Address :
401 W Montecito St,
Santa Barbara, CA 93101.
Get Directions
United Pacific 5698
Store Details :
- Type: Convenience Store
- Authorization Date: 6/18/2019
Address :
200 S Milpas St,
Santa Barbara, CA 93103.
Get Directions
VONS 2101
Store Details :
- Type: Supermarket
- Authorization Date: 1/1/1930
Address :
1040 Coast Village Rd,
Santa Barbara, CA 93108.
Get Directions
Vons 3326
Store Details :
- Type: Supermarket
- Authorization Date: 1/1/1930
Address :
163 S Turnpike Rd,
Santa Barbara, CA 93111.
Get Directions
Vons 3329
Store Details :
- Type: Supermarket
- Authorization Date: 6/15/2016
Address :
2010 Cliff Dr,
Santa Barbara, CA 93109.
Get Directions
Whole Foods Market 10255
Store Details :
- Type: Super Store
- Authorization Date: 9/10/2009
Address :
3761 State St,
Santa Barbara, CA 93105.
Get Directions
Tips for shopping at a WIC store in Santa Barbara, California
Here are some tips for shopping at a WIC store in Santa Barbara, California:
1. Plan ahead: Before going to the store, make a list of the WIC-approved foods you need to purchase.
2. Check expiration dates: Make sure to check the expiration dates on all food items before purchasing them.
3. Don't forget your WIC checks: Make sure to bring your WIC checks with you to the store.
4. Ask for help: If you have any questions or need assistance, don't hesitate to ask a WIC store staff member for help.
Free Food Programs Summary
| Acronym | Name | For Moms & Kids | For Seniors | For Food Bank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SNAP | Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program | Yes | Yes | No |
| WIC | Women, Infants, and Children | Yes | No | No |
| TEFAP | The Emergency Food Assistance Program | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| CSFP | The Commodity Supplemental Food Program | No | Yes | Yes |
| CACFP | The Child and Adult Care Food Program | Yes | Yes | No |
| NSLP | The National School Lunch Program | Yes | No | No |
| SBP | The School Breakfast Program | Yes | No | No |
| SFSP | The Summer Food Service Program | Yes | No | No |
Federal Poverty Limit in California
| POVERTY LIMIT FOR THE 48 CONTIGUOUS STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA | ||
|---|---|---|
| Persons in Family | Poverty Limit(100%) | Poverty Limit(200%) |
| 1 | $14,580 | $29,160 |
| 2 | $19,720 | $39,440 |
| 3 | $24,860 | $49,720 |
| 4 | $30,000 | $60,000 |
| 5 | $35,140 | $70,280 |
| 6 | $40,280 | $80,560 |
| 7 | $45,420 | $90,840 |
| 8 | $50,560 | $101,120 |
| For families/households with more than 8 persons, add $5,140 for each additional person. | ||
FAQ(Frequently Asked Questions)
1.What is the income limit to qualify for WIC Santa Barbara, California?
The income limit to qualify for WIC varies by state and household size. Check Federal Poverty Limit above for your state.
2. Can I apply for WIC if I am an undocumented immigrant?
Yes, undocumented immigrants may be eligible for WIC if they meet the other eligibility requirements. WIC is a non-cash benefit, so it does not affect immigration status.
3. How often can I visit a WIC store Santa Barbara, California?
WIC participants are typically required to visit a WIC store once a month to pick up their food benefits.
4. Can I use my WIC benefits at any grocery store?
No, WIC benefits can only be used at WIC-approved stores Santa Barbara, California.
4. Can I use my WIC card in another state ?
You can not use one state WIC card in another state. However if you relocate to another state can go to that state WIC agency to update WIC card for that state.
The new agency will verify your eligibility, and you can continue to receive benefits in the new state.
5. What should I do if I lose my WIC checks?
If you lose your WIC checks, contact your local WIC agency immediately to request replacement checks.