Adding Your WIC Card to the Walmart App: Step-by-Step

How to link your WIC card to Walmart's mobile app

You can add your WIC card to the Walmart app so you see your balance and approved items without opening your wallet at checkout. The process takes about five minutes and requires your WIC card number, a Walmart.com account, and the Walmart mobile app downloaded on your phone.

Walmart's app does not process WIC payments directly — your card still works the same way at the register. What the app does is show you your current balance by food category (fruits and vegetables, grains, dairy, protein, and infant formula), let you search whether specific products are WIC-approved before you shop, and save your receipt history. This is useful because WIC rules about which brands and package sizes are covered change by state and sometimes by month.

Key Takeaways

You need a Walmart.com account and the Walmart mobile app installed before you can link your WIC card.
Your WIC card number is the 16-digit number printed on the front of your physical card, and you will enter it during setup.
The app shows your balance by food category and tells you which products are WIC-approved at Walmart, but does not replace your physical card at checkout.
If the app does not recognize your card, contact your state WIC program directly — Walmart's app support cannot override state WIC system issues.

Step 1: Create or sign into your Walmart.com account

Open the Walmart app or go to Walmart.com on your phone or computer. If you do not have a Walmart account, tap "Sign up" and enter your email address, create a password, and add your name and zip code. If you already have an account, sign in with your email and password.

Your Walmart.com account is separate from your WIC account — you are just creating a place to store your payment methods and preferences. You do not need to have shopped at Walmart before or have a Walmart credit card.

Step 2: read the Walmart app if you haven't already

Go to the Apple App Store (for iPhone) or Google Play Store (for Android) and search for "Walmart." read the official Walmart app — it has the Walmart logo and is published by Walmart Inc. Open the app and sign in with the Walmart.com account you just created or already have.

The app is free. Make sure you are downloading from the official app store for your phone, not a third-party source, because fake versions exist.

Step 3: Navigate to the payment methods section

In the Walmart app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner. Scroll down and tap "Payment methods" or "Manage payment methods." You should see options to add a credit card, debit card, or other payment method. Look for an option that says "Add WIC card," "Link WIC card," or "WIC" — the exact wording varies by app version.

If you do not see a WIC option in your payment methods menu, your app may need an update. Go back to the app store, search for Walmart, and tap "Update" if an update is available. Close the app completely and reopen it after updating.

Step 4: Enter your WIC card details

Tap the WIC option and you will be asked for your WIC card number. This is the 16-digit number printed on the front of your physical WIC card, usually near the bottom. Enter this number exactly as it appears. You may also be asked for your state (where you received your WIC card) and your date of birth to verify your identity.

Do not enter your PIN. The app only needs your card number and personal information to look up your balance — it does not process payments or store sensitive security data.

Step 5: Verify your information and confirm the link

The app will connect to your state's WIC system to confirm the card number matches an active account. This usually takes a few seconds. If the connection is successful, you will see a confirmation message and your WIC card will appear in your payment methods list. Your current balance by food category should display on the card's summary page.

If you see an error message like "Card not found" or "Unable to verify," this usually means the card number was entered incorrectly, your state's WIC system is temporarily offline, or your WIC benefits have ended. Double-check the card number and try again. If the error persists, contact your state WIC program — Walmart's app support cannot access or override your state's WIC records.

Using your WIC card in the Walmart app after linking

Once your card is linked, you can check your balance anytime by opening the app and viewing your payment methods. Tap your WIC card to see how much you have left in each food category. You can also use the app's product search to type in a specific brand or item and see whether it is WIC-approved at Walmart — the app will show a green checkmark or red X next to the product.

At checkout, you still use your physical WIC card. The app does not charge your WIC benefits — it only shows information. Hand your card to the cashier as you normally would. The register will process WIC items separately from other purchases. Keep your physical card with you because the app cannot replace it.

Troubleshooting common problems

If your WIC card will not link to the app, first make sure you are using the correct card number from the front of your physical card, not your PIN or account number. Check that you selected the correct state where you receive WIC. If you recently moved to a new state or your benefits were transferred, your old card number may no longer work — contact your new state's WIC program.

If the app shows a balance but it does not match what you expect, remember that the app updates once per day, usually overnight. If you used your WIC card earlier today, the app balance may not reflect that purchase until tomorrow. If the balance is still wrong after 24 hours, contact your state WIC program — they manage the actual balance, not Walmart.

If you forget your Walmart.com password, tap "Forgot password?" on the sign-in screen and follow the email recovery steps. If you forget your WIC card PIN, contact your state WIC program — they manage PINs, not Walmart. If your WIC card is lost or stolen, call your state WIC program when ready to report it and request a replacement card.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the Walmart app to pay with my WIC card at checkout?

No. The app shows your balance and approved items, but you must use your physical WIC card to pay. Hand your card to the cashier as you normally would. The app is an information tool only.

What if I have WIC benefits in two different states?

You can link only one WIC card per Walmart account. If you have cards from two states, you would need to create a second Walmart.com account and link the second card there. However, you can only be signed into one account in the app at a time, so you would need to sign out and sign back in to switch between them.

Does Walmart's app work with all state WIC programs?

Most states' WIC programs work with the Walmart app, but not all. If your state does not participate, the WIC option will not appear in your payment methods menu. Contact your state WIC program to ask whether they support Walmart's app or to find out which retailers offer WIC balance information.

Will linking my WIC card to the app affect my benefits or balance?

No. Linking your card to the app is read-only — it only lets you view information. It does not spend benefits, change your balance, or affect your WIC account in any way.

What should I do if the app says my card is invalid?

First, confirm you entered the 16-digit card number correctly from the front of your physical card. Check that you selected the correct state. If both are correct and the error continues, your card may have expired, your benefits may have ended, or your state's WIC system may be temporarily unavailable. Contact your state WIC program to confirm your card is active.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.