Does Amazon accept WIC? (how it works + product)
Amazon entered the perishable food delivery business after acquiring Whole Foods.
With millions of families with young children participating in the government assistance program WIC, you may be wondering, does Amazon accept WIC? Here’s what you need to know.
Does Amazon accept WIC?
Amazon does not accept the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program as a form of payment for any grocery items. WIC operates according to individual state guidelines and is generally not available online, only in stores. However, Amazon does offer a special Prime discount for WIC users.
To learn more about why Amazon doesn’t accept WIC, how WIC can still get you a deal with Amazon, and even if Amazon might accept WIC in the future, read on to learn more!
Why isn’t Amazon accepting WIC?
While there isn’t any hard evidence why Amazon doesn’t accept WIC for its grocery program, there are a number of possible reasons.
First, as mentioned above, WIC guidelines vary from state to state, as do the techniques used to administer WIC in the past.
Until recently, these differences made WIC use a non-uniform experience across states. So the burden of meeting all the different state requirements will fall on Amazon.
Can you use your WIC card on Amazon?
While you can’t use your WIC card to buy groceries on Amazon, you can use it to get discounts on Amazon Prime.
Amazon Prime normally costs $12.99 per month, but based on your WIC information, you can get Prime for just $5.99 per month. To register, please visit this page. Click the “Get Started” button and you’ll see the heading “Choose how you want to qualify for 50% off Prime.”
Click the “Other” button and you can choose from a list of programs, including WIC. You’ll select your state, then upload a photo of your benefits card or certificate of eligibility.
Amazon makes it super easy to sign up, so there’s no reason not to take advantage of the discount, even if you can’t use your WIC to buy food on the site yet.
Does Amazon accept SNAP?
Amazon does accept SNAP EBT benefits, except Alaska, Hawaii, Louisiana, and Montana, which are available on Amazon Fresh and Amazon.com.
Many families who receive WIC benefits also qualify for SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program formerly known as food stamps.
The same rules apply to SNAP on Amazon as in brick-and-mortar grocery stores — only food for human consumption is allowed.
You can find additional rules and guidelines for registration here, and when you’re ready to register, visit this page.
What payment methods does Amazon accept?
While you can’t use WIC to buy groceries on Amazon, you have many other payment options, including:
- Rapid EBT
- Most major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover)
- Diners Club
- Star
- Visa/MasterCard/AmEx Prepaid Card
- Jesse Bo
- Nymex
- Amazon store and security card
- Amazon gift card
Does Whole Foods accept WIC?
Amazon-owned Whole Foods stores do accept WIC, so you can bring your benefit card and pick up WIC-approved items.
Amazon acquired Whole Foods for more than $13 billion in 2017, making it the cornerstone of its online same-day grocery delivery service.
So while you’re technically using your WIC benefits with an Amazon-owned company, it’s still not allowed as part of the company’s online storefront.
However, even if you can’t use your WIC to shop for Whole Foods items on Amazon Fresh at this time, you can still visit a physical store to get your savings.
Whole Foods carries a large selection of WIC-approved foods, including:
- cheese
- yogurt
- soy products
- milk
- juice
- fresh fruit/vegetables
- cereals
- bread
- spaghetti
- beans
- canned fish
- Baby food (formula, cereal, meat, fruit/vegetables)
- Egg
- peanut butter
The above items are general examples, as each state’s guidance may vary.
It’s also worth noting that while Whole Foods does sell many of these products listed above, WIC tends to only allow foods in their most common forms.
So, for example, WIC-approved eggs cannot be special breeds, such as organic eggs or free-range eggs. These specialties are the foundation of Whole Foods’ business model.
As such, careful shopping may be required to find eligible items.
Will Amazon accept WIC in the future?
While you can’t currently use WIC on Amazon, it may be possible in the future as the federal government mandates that WIC state agencies implement WIC cards by the end of 2020, phasing out checks and vouchers.
The federal government’s Department of Agriculture said the focus was on making the benefits as easy as possible for beneficiaries. Online ordering for access to WIC benefits is also in progress.
In November 2020, the USDA reported that the Gretchen Swanson Nutrition Center received a three-year grant to research and develop an online ordering model.
SNAP benefits have long been card-based and eligible for online ordering, so it was only a matter of time before WIC would also be available for online ordering.
To learn more about Amazon, you can also check out our posts on Does Amazon Accept PayPal, Does Amazon Accept Paysafecard, and Does Amazon Accept Klarna.
in conclusion
Amazon doesn’t currently accept WIC, though recipients of the program can get Prime accounts for 50% off the regular price.
SNAP beneficiaries, who often overlap with WIC eligibility, can buy groceries from Amazon, while WIC beneficiaries can still shop at Amazon-owned Whole Foods brick-and-mortar stores.
