The Coastal Health District has been selected by the Georgia Department of Public Health to pilot eWIC, a new electronic system for issuing food benefits through the Women, Infant and Children (WIC) program. 

Previously, WIC participants used paper vouchers to purchase approved foods. The new system allows participants to use an eWIC card, which functions like a debit card, to purchase food.

“Using cards rather than paper vouchers will make shopping much more convenient for our WIC participants,” said Coastal Health District Nutrition Services Director Pat Mobley, RDN, LD. “We’re thrilled to be able to pilot this program in Georgia.”

A phased approach will be used to distribute the new cards. Participants can continue to use paper vouchers until they receive an eWIC card.

“We’re excited about this technology upgrade, but it’s going to take some time to shift from vouchers to cards,” Mobley said. “We appreciate everyone’s patience and want to reassure our WIC participants that we are working diligently to make sure the transition goes as smoothly as possible.”

Georgia WIC is a special supplemental nutrition program that provides nutrition education, breastfeeding education and support, referrals, and nutritional supplements to thousands of income eligible families throughout Georgia. Income-eligible families include pregnant women, breastfeeding woman, postpartum women, infants, and children up to age 5. Custodial/ single fathers, legal guardians, and foster parents of an infant or child can also receive WIC benefits for the eligible infant or child.

For more information about WIC, including eligibility requirements, please visit our website at coastalhealthdistrict.org/ wic.