Can you use WIC at CVS or Walgreens? A Guide to WIC-Authorized Retailers

January 3, 2026 •

4 min read

Millions of American families rely on the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) to purchase healthy foods. However, whether you can use WIC benefits at major pharmacy chains like CVS and Walgreens is a common source of confusion for participants, as policies vary significantly by location.

Quick Summary

WIC benefits can be used at select CVS and Walgreens locations, but acceptance depends on state and local authorization, with some stores only carrying limited approved items. Participants must verify store participation directly.

Key Points

Acceptance is Not Guaranteed: WIC benefits are not accepted at all CVS and Walgreens locations, with eligibility varying by state and specific store.
Local Verification is Crucial: Always verify WIC acceptance with your state's WIC app, official website, or by contacting the specific store or your local WIC office before shopping.
Limited Item Selection: Even at participating stores, the selection of WIC-approved items is often very limited, sometimes only including baby formula and a few other essentials.
Use the WIC App: The most reliable way to check for authorized retailers and scan specific product barcodes is to use your state's WIC mobile app.
Prepare for Checkout Differences: Some stores may require WIC-eligible items to be rung up separately, so it is best to separate your WIC purchases from other items.

Is WIC Accepted at CVS and Walgreens?

Yes, WIC benefits are accepted at some CVS and Walgreens locations, but acceptance is not universal across all stores or states. The ability to use your WIC benefits at these retailers depends on whether your specific state's WIC program has authorized a particular store as a vendor. This leads to a patchwork of acceptance policies, meaning a store in one city or state may accept WIC, while an identical store in another location does not. Therefore, it is essential for WIC participants to verify if a store is authorized before attempting to make a purchase.

The WIC Retailer Authorization Process

Unlike SNAP (food stamps), which is widely accepted, WIC is a more targeted nutrition program with a specific list of approved foods. This requires a more stringent authorization process for retailers. For a store to become an authorized WIC vendor, it must meet specific criteria set by the state WIC agency, which includes stocking required amounts of WIC-approved foods and offering them at competitive prices. Many pharmacy and convenience stores do not meet these requirements due to limited inventory and higher prices compared to traditional grocery stores.

Using WIC at Walgreens

Acceptance of WIC at Walgreens is highly state-dependent. While some Reddit discussions suggest that Walgreens may accept WIC in certain states, sometimes only for baby formula and baby food, other locations explicitly do not.

State-specific rules: A list circulating on Reddit in August 2024 indicated that Walgreens supports WIC payments in states like California, Connecticut, Illinois, and several others. However, this is not an official list and can change. For example, a Walgreens employee in North Las Vegas reported their store did not accept WIC.
Limited inventory: Even at participating locations, Walgreens typically carries a much smaller selection of WIC-approved items compared to a full-size grocery store. The availability is often limited to specific categories like baby formula, baby food, and some basic dairy items.
Essential verification: Never assume a Walgreens will accept WIC. Always verify with your local WIC office or directly with the specific store location before shopping to avoid any issues at the checkout counter.

Using WIC at CVS

The situation with WIC at CVS is equally, if not more, variable than at Walgreens. Anecdotal evidence suggests that CVS acceptance is inconsistent and can differ from one store to the next, even within the same city.

Varies by location: One CVS employee mentioned that only certain CVS stores in their district accepted WIC. This highlights the store-by-store variation that makes relying on a blanket policy impossible.
Limited purchases: Similar to Walgreens, WIC purchases at CVS are generally restricted to a smaller set of items, primarily formula, milk, and certain types of food. Do not expect to find the full range of WIC-approved cereals, whole grains, or fruits and vegetables.
Checkout process: In some cases, the checkout process for WIC items at CVS might be different, requiring the card to be run separately from other purchases. This is another aspect that can differ by location and point-of-sale system.

How to Verify WIC Acceptance Before You Shop

To ensure a smooth shopping trip, follow these steps to confirm if a CVS or Walgreens near you is an authorized WIC vendor:

Use Your State's WIC App: Most state WIC programs now have a mobile app that includes a store locator and a product scanning feature. This is the most reliable and up-to-date method for checking authorized stores in your area. Use the app to find stores and even scan product barcodes to see if they are approved for your family's specific food package.
Contact Your Local WIC Office: For the most authoritative information, contact your local WIC office directly. They can provide a definitive list of authorized vendors and offer guidance on shopping with your benefits.
Check Your State WIC Website: Many state WIC agencies maintain an online database of authorized retailers on their official websites. This can be accessed via a web browser and is a great resource if you don't have the mobile app.
Look for WIC Signage: Although not foolproof, some stores that accept WIC will have signage or shelf tags indicating WIC-approved items. If in doubt, ask an employee or use your WIC app to scan the item.

Comparison Table: WIC at CVS vs. Walgreens


Feature	CVS	Walgreens
WIC Acceptance	Highly variable; depends on state and individual store authorization	Varies by state and specific location; some states listed as accepting WIC
Typical Inventory	Limited to specific WIC-approved items like infant formula, milk, and basic foods	Often very limited, sometimes only for baby formula and baby food
Verification Required	YES. Absolutely necessary to verify with the specific store or your state WIC app before shopping.	YES. Essential to check the specific store's status, as regional differences are common.
Ease of Shopping	Can be unpredictable; smaller selection can make finding specific items difficult.	Can be unpredictable; potential for very limited stock and varying policies.
Best Practice	Use the state WIC app or call ahead to the specific location you plan to visit.	Use the state WIC app or contact the specific store to confirm acceptance and inventory.

Conclusion

In summary, while using WIC at CVS or Walgreens is possible in some areas, it is never guaranteed. Due to the state-regulated nature of the WIC program, retailer participation is not consistent nationwide. For the most reliable information, always consult your state's WIC mobile app or website, or contact your local WIC office to find an authorized list of retailers. By taking these verification steps, you can avoid inconvenience and ensure a successful shopping trip for your family's nutritional needs. For more details on the WIC program, you can visit the official USDA Food and Nutrition Services website, the federal agency overseeing the program. USDA Food and Nutrition Service

Frequently Asked Questions

Stores must be authorized by their state's WIC agency to accept WIC benefits. Not all CVS or Walgreens locations meet the specific criteria required, which can include stocking a certain amount and variety of WIC-approved items.

The most reliable methods are to use your state's official WIC mobile app to find authorized retailers, check your state WIC website for a vendor list, or call the specific store location directly.

WIC-eligible items at drugstores like CVS and Walgreens are typically limited to essential categories such as baby formula, some types of milk, infant cereal, and baby food. The selection is much smaller than what is available at a full grocery store.

No, WIC benefits are specifically for WIC-approved food items. They cannot be used to purchase medications, health and beauty aids, or other non-food items sold at these drugstores.

It is often best to separate your WIC-eligible items from other purchases at the register to ensure a smooth transaction. This can prevent complications with the point-of-sale system, which are designed to process WIC purchases separately.

Yes. A store's status as an authorized WIC vendor can change if they fail to meet a state's ongoing requirements, such as stocking levels or pricing policies. Always verify a store's current participation, especially if you haven't shopped there in a while.

As of late 2025, online shopping with WIC benefits is not widely available, especially with pharmacy chains. It is being rolled out by some state WIC agencies with specific grocery retailers, but not typically with CVS or Walgreens.