CERTIFICATION WPPM #200-01 Subject: Eligibility Requirements Item: Overview

Revised California WIC Policy and Procedure Manual Page 1 of 3 January 15, 2026 PURPOSE: To provide an overview of the eligibility requirements for WIC program participation. POLICY: I. Local agency (LA) staff must certify an applicant for program participation if the applicant meets WIC eligibility requirements for category, residency, income, and nutritional risk. A. A family representative may apply for WIC program participation on behalf of an infant or child. Refer to WPPM 290-00. B. A caretaker is an individual designated by a participant or family representative to act on their behalf. Refer to WPPM 290-10. PROCEDURES: I. LA staff must attempt to collect proofs of eligibility in advance of certification or recertification appointments to help identify any missing items and streamline the certification process. II. The following eligibility criteria must be met and documented in the WIC Web Information System Exchange (WIC WISE) for an applicant to be certified for program participation: A. Be in a category served by WIC: 1. Pregnant (prenatal) individual. Refer to WPPM 210-08. 2. Breastfeeding individual up to one year postpartum. 3. Non-breastfeeding individual up to six months postpartum. 4. Infant up to 12 months old. 5. Child under the age of five years. B. Reside in California. Refer to WPPM 210-06. C. Meet income eligibility criteria. Refer to WPPM 210-01 through 210-04. D. Have an indicator of nutritional risk. Refer to WPPM 210-09 through 210-13. III. LA staff must grant a 30-day short certification period if an applicant can only provide proof for two of the three required documents to determine eligibility (e.g., identity, residency, and income). A. In cases of missing proofs, LA staff must clearly inform the applicant: (1) To provide the necessary proof needed for program eligibility within 30 days, (2) of

CERTIFICATION WPPM #200-01 Subject: Eligibility Requirements Item: Overview

Revised California WIC Policy and Procedure Manual Page 2 of 3 January 15, 2026 the consequences of failing to do so, which can lead to being found ineligible for WIC and terminated. B. If an applicant is missing more than one required proof, the applicant cannot be certified, even for a shortened certification period. LA staff must advise the applicant to return to the clinic and re-apply once they can provide the necessary proofs of WIC eligibility. IV. Presence at Certification A. The applicant must be present at certification unless they meet an approved exemption criterion. This requirement is temporarily waived until September 30, 2026. Refer to WPPM 200-00. V. Identification (ID) at Certification A. The applicant must provide proof of ID at certification. Refer to WPPM 270-20. VI. Miscellaneous A. Certification must be provided at no cost to the applicant. B. The LA must ensure that no person is subjected to discrimination. Refer to WPPM 510-10. C. WIC program participation is available to any individual who meets the program eligibility requirements. United States citizenship is not required. AUTHORITY: 7 CFR 246.7(c), (l) 7 CFR 246.8 WIC Policy Memorandum #2023-6: Streamlining Certification CROSS REFERENCE: WPPM 200-00 Physical Presence Waiver for Certifications and Recertifications WPPM 210-01 General Income Eligibility Guidelines and Procedures WPPM 210-02 Adjunctive Eligibility WPPM 210-03 Determination of Income Eligibility WPPM 210-04 Income Exclusions WPPM 210-06 Proof of California Residency WPPM 210-07 Presence Requirement WPPM 210-08 Proof of Pregnancy WPPM 210-09 Overview – Nutrition Assessment Requirement for All Categories WPPM 210-10 Determining Nutritional Risk – Anthropometric

CERTIFICATION WPPM #200-01 Subject: Eligibility Requirements Item: Overview

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Revised January 15, 2026 California WIC Policy and Procedure Manual WPPM 210-11 Determining Nutritional Risk – Biochemical WPPM 210-12 Determining Nutritional Risk – Clinical/Health/Medical WPPM 210-13 Determining Nutritional Risk – Dietary WPPM 270-20 Proof of Identity WPPM 290-00 Family Representative WPPM 290-10 Designation of Caretaker WPPM 510-10 Nondiscrimination