Instacart does not accept WIC cards directly, but some Instacart partner stores do accept them in-store

Instacart itself does not process WIC payments through its app or website. However, you can use your WIC card at certain grocery stores that partner with Instacart — you just have to shop in person rather than through the delivery service. The stores that accept both WIC and Instacart vary by state and region, so you'll need to check which retailers near you take your WIC card and whether they offer Instacart delivery.

The limitation exists because WIC is a state-run program with specific rules about how benefits can be used. Each state's WIC program sets its own list of approved retailers, and most states have not yet authorized online or app-based ordering for WIC purchases. This means even if a store accepts WIC, their Instacart orders may not.

Key Takeaways

  • Instacart's app and website do not accept WIC cards as payment, even at stores that normally take WIC.
  • You can use your WIC card at approved retailers in your state, but you must shop in person, not through Instacart.
  • Some large grocery chains like Safeway, Kroger, and Whole Foods accept both WIC and offer Instacart delivery, but the WIC purchase must happen at the store counter.
  • Your state's WIC program website lists which retailers accept WIC in your area and their current policies on online ordering.
  • A few states are piloting online WIC ordering through specific retailers, so check your state's WIC office for the most current information.

Which grocery stores accept both WIC and Instacart

Major chains that accept WIC in most states include Safeway, Kroger, Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, and some regional supermarkets. Many of these stores also partner with Instacart for delivery. However, the fact that a store accepts both WIC and Instacart does not mean you can pay for WIC items through the Instacart app.

If you shop at one of these stores, you can use Instacart for non-WIC items and use your WIC card in person for approved WIC foods. Some people do this by placing an Instacart order for items their WIC does not cover (like household supplies or non-approved foods) and shopping in the same store with their WIC card for may be able to access items.

What WIC-approved foods you can and cannot buy through delivery

WIC covers specific foods: infant formula, baby food, milk, yogurt, cheese, eggs, beans, peanut butter, canned fish, whole grains, and fresh fruits and vegetables. Because WIC has strict rules about which brands and package sizes are allowed, state WIC programs have been cautious about authorizing online ordering — a store employee needs to verify that the exact product matches the WIC rules before it leaves the store.

Instacart shoppers are not trained to verify WIC-may be able to access products the way store cashiers are. This is the main reason Instacart does not process WIC payments. Even if you could add WIC items to an Instacart order, the shopper would have no way to confirm the items meet your state's WIC requirements.

How to find WIC-approved stores in your area

Your state's WIC program maintains a list of authorized retailers. You can find this list by visiting your state's WIC office website or calling the WIC hotline number on the back of your WIC card. The list shows which stores accept WIC and, in some cases, whether they offer online ordering.

You can also ask the store directly when you call or visit. Many grocery store customer service desks can tell you whether they accept WIC and what their policies are on online orders. Some stores have started accepting WIC for online orders placed through their own website or app, separate from Instacart — this is different from Instacart delivery and depends on your state's rules.

States piloting online WIC ordering

A small number of states have begun allowing WIC purchases through online ordering at specific retailers. These pilot programs are limited and do not include Instacart. For example, some states allow WIC purchases through a store's own website or app, or through a dedicated WIC delivery service, but these are separate from third-party delivery apps like Instacart.

If you live in a state running a pilot program, your WIC office will have sent you information about which retailers and services are included. Check your state's WIC website or contact your local WIC office to learn whether online WIC ordering is available where you live. These programs are still new and change frequently, so the most current information comes directly from your state.

Other grocery delivery options that may accept WIC

Some grocery store chains operate their own delivery services separate from Instacart. Kroger, Safeway, and Whole Foods all have their own apps and websites where you can order groceries. A few of these in-house services have begun testing WIC acceptance, though it remains limited and varies by location and state rules.

Before you place an order through a store's own delivery service, contact the store or check their website to confirm whether WIC is accepted. You may also find that some local or regional grocery chains have their own delivery options and WIC policies. Your state's WIC office can tell you which retailers in your area currently accept WIC for online orders.

What to do if you need groceries but cannot use WIC online

If you need delivery and have WIC benefits, you have a few options. You can shop in person at a WIC-approved store using your WIC card for may be able to access items, then use Instacart or another service for other groceries. You can also ask a family member or friend to shop for you using your WIC card — some states allow this, though rules vary.

Another option is to contact your local WIC office and ask whether any new online ordering programs have become available in your area. WIC rules are changing slowly, and new retailers and services are being added to approved lists. Your WIC caseworker may also know of local resources or delivery services you have not considered.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my WIC card to pay for an Instacart order?

No. Instacart does not accept WIC cards as payment through its app or website. You must use your WIC card in person at a store that accepts it. If you want to use Instacart, you would need to pay with a different payment method for those items.

What if I order from a store's own website instead of Instacart?

Some grocery stores are beginning to accept WIC for orders placed through their own websites or apps, but this depends on your state's WIC rules and the specific store. Contact the store or your state's WIC office to find out whether this option is available where you live.

Can someone else use my WIC card to shop for me online?

Rules about who can use your WIC card vary by state. Some states allow a family member or authorized person to shop with your card, but online ordering is not yet widely permitted for WIC. Contact your local WIC office to learn what is allowed in your state.

Will Instacart accept WIC in the future?

It is possible, but there is no announced timeline. WIC rules are set by each state, and states are moving slowly toward online ordering. Even if a state permits WIC online orders, Instacart would need to build the systems to verify WIC-may be able to access products, which is complex.

What WIC foods can I buy through Instacart if I pay with a different card?

You cannot use Instacart to buy WIC-may be able to access foods and have them count toward your WIC benefits, even if you pay with another card. WIC benefits only work when you use your WIC card in person at an approved store. Instacart orders do not may have access to.