WIC payments in Texas are not cash — they are monthly food benefits loaded onto a card that works only at participating stores

Texas WIC does not send you a check or deposit money into your bank account. Instead, the program loads food benefits onto a card called the Lone Star Card, which you swipe at checkout to buy approved foods. The amount you receive each month depends on your household size and the ages of your children, because different family members need different nutrition support.

The federal government sets the maximum benefit amounts each year, and Texas follows those limits. Your actual benefit may be lower if your household income is higher within the income range, though most families receive the full amount. The card resets on the same day each month — typically between the 1st and 15th, depending on your case number — and any unused balance from the previous month disappears.

Key Takeaways

  • WIC benefits load onto a Lone Star Card each month and can only be used to buy specific foods like milk, cheese, eggs, beans, peanut butter, bread, and infant formula.
  • The amount you receive varies by household size and the ages of children in your home, with separate benefit levels for pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children under five.
  • Your card balance resets monthly and unused benefits do not roll over to the next month.
  • You can check your current balance and transaction history online through the Lone Star Card website or by calling the customer service number on the back of your card.

How Texas calculates your monthly WIC benefit amount

Texas WIC assigns you to a benefit group based on who lives in your household. A benefit group might be just you and one child, or it might include a pregnant woman, a nursing mother, and two children under five — each person in that group receives their own portion of the total benefit. The program recognizes four categories: pregnant women, nursing mothers, non-nursing postpartum women (up to one year after birth), and children ages one through four.

Each category has a different monthly benefit amount because nutritional needs differ. A nursing mother receives more in food benefits than a non-nursing mother, and a child under one receives more than a child ages one to four. Infants under one year who are formula-fed receive benefits as a separate category. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission publishes the exact benefit amounts each year, and they change in October when the federal fiscal year begins.

If you have multiple people in different categories — for example, a pregnant woman and a two-year-old child — you receive separate benefit amounts for each person, and they all load onto the same card. The card shows the balance for each category separately so you know how much you can spend on foods for each person.

What foods you can buy with your WIC benefits

Your Lone Star Card only works for a specific list of foods approved by the WIC program. These include milk, yogurt, cheese, eggs, beans and peas, peanut butter, whole grain bread, cereals, infant formula, baby food, and fresh fruits and vegetables. You cannot use WIC to buy meat, prepared foods, snacks, drinks, or anything not on the approved list — the register will decline the card if you try.

The approved foods list changes slightly each year, and some items have quantity limits. For example, you might be able to buy up to two gallons of milk per month, or a certain number of eggs. When you check out, the cashier will tell you which items are WIC-approved and which are not. If you are unsure whether something qualifies, ask a store employee before you get to the register, or call your local WIC program office.

Where to use your WIC card in Texas

Your Lone Star Card works only at authorized WIC retailers, which include most large grocery stores, many smaller grocery stores, and some farmers markets. Convenience stores, gas stations, and restaurants do not accept WIC. When you first receive your card, you get a list of nearby authorized stores, or you can search for them on the Lone Star Card website by entering your zip code.

Not every location of a large chain accepts WIC — for example, one Walmart might be authorized and another nearby might not be. Always check the store locator before you go, or call ahead to confirm. If you shop at a farmers market, only vendors who have registered with the WIC program will accept your card, and they may have different approved items than grocery stores.

Checking your balance and transaction history

You can check how much WIC benefit you have left at any time by visiting the Lone Star Card website and logging in with your card number and PIN, or by calling the customer service number printed on the back of your card. The website shows your current balance for each benefit category and lists every transaction you made in the past month. You can also ask the cashier to tell you your balance when you check out.

If your card is lost, stolen, or damaged, call the number on the back when ready to report it. Texas will issue you a replacement card, usually within five to seven business days. Your benefits do not disappear — they stay in your account and load onto the new card when it arrives.

What happens if you do not use all your benefits

Any WIC benefits you do not spend by the end of the month are lost — they do not carry over to the next month. This means if you have $150 in benefits on your card on the last day of the month and you only spend $100, the remaining $50 disappears when your card resets. Plan your shopping to use as much of your benefit as possible each month, or you are leaving food money on the table.

If you know you will not be able to use all your benefits in a given month — for example, if you are traveling or have other food sources available — you can contact your WIC program office to discuss your situation. In some cases, they may be able to adjust your benefit amount, though this is not common. The best approach is to shop regularly throughout the month rather than waiting until the end.

How income affects your WIC benefit amount

WIC has an income limit, and your household must earn less than 185 percent of the federal poverty line to be in the program. Within that range, your benefit amount does not change based on income — everyone at 100 percent of poverty and everyone at 184 percent of poverty receives the same monthly benefit. Your income determines whether you can be in WIC at all, not how much you receive once you are enrolled.

If your household income increases and goes above the 185 percent limit, you will be removed from the program. Texas notifies you in writing before this happens and tells you when your benefits will end. If your income drops back below the limit, you can reapply.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my WIC card at any grocery store?

No, only authorized WIC retailers accept the Lone Star Card. Use the store locator on the Lone Star Card website to find participating stores near you. Not every location of a chain store is authorized, so check before you shop.

What happens if I do not spend all my WIC benefits by the end of the month?

Unused benefits expire and do not roll over to the next month. Shop throughout the month to use as much of your benefit as possible. If you consistently have leftover benefits, contact your WIC program office to discuss your household's needs.

Can I transfer my WIC benefits to someone else or use them to buy food for another family?

No, your WIC card is for your household only. The card is not transferable, and using it to buy food for someone outside your household is considered fraud. Only people listed on your WIC case can use the benefits.

How do I know if an item is WIC-approved before I buy it?

Ask a store employee or check the item's packaging for a WIC symbol. You can also call your local WIC program office with questions about specific foods. When you check out, the register will decline the card if an item is not approved.

What if my Lone Star Card stops working at the register?

Call the customer service number on the back of your card when ready. Your card may have expired, your PIN may be incorrect, or there may be a technical issue. Customer service can troubleshoot and reissue a card if needed.