If you have WIC, you may be wondering if this is a payment option that Target will accept in its stores. This is a good question to ask as not just any store accepts WIC just yet.
WIC is still not widely recognized, so it can be hard to find stores that will accept its benefits. This is why it is a good idea to look into this before going shopping to avoid wasting your time and money.
Keep reading to find out whether or not Target will accept WIC.
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Does Target Take WIC?
WIC stands for women, infants, and children and is a card that Target accepts as one of its payment method options. This gives women more payment options to choose from, especially for those having to stay on a tight budget.
This is a benefits program aimed at helping women who are mothers to provide for their children. It is more specifically used for women with infants or small children.
This works a bit like food stamps by allowing the women access to certain products that their WIC benefits apply to. This helps them to buy the necessities, even if they are living off of a tight budget for food.
Though this is still not a widely recognized program, Target is one of the stores to accept WIC and offer it to its customers. This helps those who rely on WIC to have more options when they go shopping.
Target put this into place in 2022, making it easier for those who use WIC to shop for their children.
WIC cards are usually given out to women who are pregnant, postpartum, breastfeeding or have babies or children under five years old. Their income must be below average in order to qualify to get a WIC card.
What at Target is WIC Eligible?
There are several products at Target that you can buy with a WIC card in order to get a discount. These are typically the same products wherever you go, as the list was created for the WIC program, not per store.
This makes it easier to find out what your WIC card can be used for and what you can buy with a discount. This makes shopping easier and less stressful, so that you can get everything that you need.
The list of foods that are eligible for WIC benefits includes:
- Infant cereal
- Eggs
- Milk
- Cheese
- Iron-fortified adult cereal
- Vitamin C rich fruit and vegetable juices
- Peanut butter
- Whole grain products
- Whole-wheat bread
- Tofu
- Fresh produce
- Dried beans and peas
- Canned fish
- Soy-based beverages
This is a very generous list of options that you have to choose from. These create a full grocery list, allowing you to get everything that you would need to feed your family.
Target has all of these items in its grocery section, making it easy to get exactly what you need. If you have trouble finding something, you could always ask a Target employee for assistance.
As long as you stick to this list, you shouldn’t have any issues getting your groceries covered by WIC.
Breastfeeding mothers may also be able to get iron-fortified infant formula that is covered by WIC. This only applies to mothers who are still breastfeeding though, otherwise, the list is what WIC can cover.
Do All Targets Accept WIC?
Though Target added WIC to its system in 2022, not every Target location will accept WIC cards. Technically all Targets do, but some areas only take WIC at SuperTarget stores.
You may have to ask around or call your local Target to find out if they take WIC. Some states only take WIC in SuperTargets because they have a wider variety of grocery items that WIC applies to.
Other than that, most Targets will take WIC without any problem as it is now in the system. This makes it easier for women to get good food to feed themselves and their young children when they need it.
How Do You Use WIC at Target?
A WIC card works similarly to a debit card when you use it to pay for purchases in-store. What kind of WIC benefits you have will depend on what is on your card.
If you are eligible for WIC, a nutritionist will help you to formulate a food package for your family’s needs. Then the package benefits will be added to your WIC card to be used to make purchases.
You will need to keep your WIC eligible items separate from your regular purchases at Target. You can do this by dividing your items on the conveyor belt to make sure things do not mix.
Let the cashier know that you are using WIC and have those items scanned first. Then you will have to add your 4-digit pin after swiping your WIC card.
Make sure you check the receipt as the rest of your items is scanned. Make sure everything was covered and that nothing that isn’t eligible was added to that receipt.
If you decide to use the self-checkout, you don’t have to separate your items. The machine will automatically be able to know what is covered by WIC and what isn’t.
Just make sure to double-check to ensure that your WIC items did get a discount and non-WIC items didn’t. Then you can swipe your card like normal to pay for your items.
Can I Use WIC at Target?
Target is one store that does accept WIC, making it easier for mothers to get what they need. Target is a popular store and offers a wide selection of grocery items that WIC cards can apply to.
All Target locations should accept WIC, though some areas will only accept it at SuperTarget stores. You can always call to confirm if this is the case where you live or if any Target will take the WIC card.
Target also offers most if not all of the eligible WIC items that you can buy. This is a great thing as it allows you to get everything that you need in one stop. No having to drive from one store to another to get all of your needed groceries.