Louisiana’s new WIC card system is now live. What families need to do

Louisiana WIC’s transition to a new online EBT card system is underway statewide. Authorized WIC retailers began accepting the replacement cards on August 1, 2026, after clinics began distributing them and issuing benefits through the new system on June 1.

Families who received a replacement card before August 1 were instructed to keep using their old card through July 31 and then switch to the new card. The change affects how benefits are issued and tracked; it does not by itself change WIC eligibility, benefit amounts, approved food categories or the requirement to shop at authorized WIC retailers.

What participants need to do now

If you received a new Louisiana WIC card, use it for WIC purchases and keep it secure. Before shopping with it, set a personal identification number, or PIN.

You can set the PIN through the myWIC app or by calling the telephone number printed on the back of the card. Louisiana WIC says participants should complete that step before using the card for their August benefits.

If the card does not work, or if the balance or a transaction appears incorrect, save the receipt and contact your local WIC clinic or Louisiana WIC for help. Do not assume that a card problem means your eligibility or benefit package has changed.

What myWIC can do

The online system gives participants and caregivers real-time tools for checking benefits and purchases through myWIC.

Louisiana WIC lists these functions in its technology guidance:

Viewing monthly EBT benefits and tracking purchases
Scheduling, changing and viewing appointments
Uploading documents before an appointment
Using shopping guidance and a product scanner
Completing online nutrition education through WICHealth
Receiving clinic notes, reminders and other notifications

Those tools can help families check a balance before shopping, review what was purchased and identify whether a product is approved under WIC rules. Louisiana WIC also lists separate shopping-app resources for food lists, product scanning and participating-store information.

Remote issuance may reduce some routine trips

The online system supports remote benefit issuance under program procedures. Participants who complete required online nutrition education may be able to receive benefits without making some routine trips to a clinic.

That is not a guarantee that every participant can avoid clinic visits. The Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s review says clinics remain important for enrollment, nutritional-risk screening, continuing participation and other services. The review’s September 2025 process description said applicants enrolled in person and participants generally returned to a clinic approximately every three months to continue receiving benefits. Families should follow the instructions from their clinic or Louisiana WIC for appointments, screenings, education and recertification.

The auditor reported that 104,064 Louisiana residents in 65,675 families were actively receiving WIC benefits as of September 1, 2025. The state had 100 WIC clinics at that time. Those are dated program figures, not a current count of participants or clinics during the 2026 card-system rollout.

Food and store rules have not changed

A replacement card does not make additional foods or stores eligible. WIC benefits remain limited to approved foods and must be used at authorized WIC retailers.

Louisiana’s vendor policy requires authorized stores to process WIC transactions through approved EBT-capable systems. Participants must enter their own PIN, and vendors must provide receipts showing transaction information. The policy also addresses itemized receipts, split-tender transactions and using another form of payment for eligible purchases that exceed the available WIC balance.

The Legislative Auditor reported 406 authorized WIC vendors statewide as of September 2025. That is a dated program figure, not a current count of stores participating in the August 2026 transition.

Where to get help

For a card problem, appointment question or benefit issue, start with your local WIC clinic. Louisiana WIC’s website provides program information and a clinic locator.

For general information or enrollment assistance, call 1-800-251-BABY (2229) or email louisianawic@la.gov. Appointment scheduling and changes should be handled through the local clinic or myWIC rather than the general contact form.

For myWIC login or account problems, use Louisiana WIC’s myWIC assistance resources. Keep following clinic instructions while the new card system becomes the regular way Louisiana WIC benefits are issued and tracked.

Sources

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