You can use WIC on Walmart.com and the Walmart app, but only for in-store pickup or delivery — not for online checkout

Walmart lets you order WIC-approved foods through its website or mobile app and pick them up at your local store or have them delivered to your home. You cannot pay for WIC items directly through the online checkout. Instead, you add approved items to your cart, arrange pickup or delivery, then pay with your WIC card at the store or when the order arrives. This means you need to have your WIC card with you or present it to the delivery driver.

The Walmart app and website show which items are WIC-approved with a label or badge next to the product. You can filter your search to show only WIC items, which saves time if you are shopping for a large household. However, the selection of WIC-approved products online is sometimes smaller than what you will find in the physical store, so you may not see every item your state allows.

Your state's WIC program determines which specific foods you can buy. Walmart's online system is programmed to follow your state's rules, so an item marked as WIC-approved in your state should work at checkout. If an item shows as approved but your card is declined, contact Walmart customer service and your state WIC office — there may be a mismatch in their systems.

Key Takeaways

  • Walmart's app and website let you browse and order WIC-approved foods, but you pay with your WIC card at pickup, delivery, or in the store — not online.
  • The Walmart app labels WIC-approved items so you can filter your shopping to show only foods your state allows.
  • Pickup and delivery orders must be completed within a set time window, usually 30 days, or the order expires.
  • Online selection of WIC items is often smaller than in-store, so some approved foods may not be available to order through the app.
  • Your WIC card must be present at pickup or delivery; the store or driver cannot process the order without it.

How to order WIC items on Walmart.com or the app

Open the Walmart app or go to Walmart.com and search for a specific food or use the WIC filter if available in your state. Add approved items to your cart just as you would for a regular online order. When you are ready to check out, select either in-store pickup at a location near you or home delivery, depending on what your area offers.

At checkout, you will see the total cost of your order. Do not enter payment information online. Instead, complete the order and note the pickup time or delivery window. When you pick up your order or receive delivery, bring your WIC card. The cashier or delivery driver will process your WIC card for the approved items and any other payment method for non-WIC items if you ordered those too.

Keep your order confirmation number and receipt. If there is a problem with the transaction or if items are out of stock, you will need these to contact Walmart or your WIC program office.

What happens if an item is out of stock or marked as unavailable

When you place an order for pickup or delivery, Walmart reserves the items in your cart. If an item goes out of stock before your pickup time, Walmart will notify you by phone, email, or through the app. You can then choose a substitute item, remove it from your order, or cancel the entire order.

Some WIC-approved foods may show as unavailable online even though they are in stock at your local store. This usually happens because the online inventory system has not updated yet, or the item is not stocked at the warehouse that serves your area. In this case, you can either wait a day or two and try again, or visit the store in person to buy the item with your WIC card.

Differences between online and in-store WIC shopping at Walmart

In-store shopping gives you the full range of WIC-approved foods your state allows. You can see the product, check the expiration date, and choose the exact brand and size you want. You swipe your WIC card at the register, and the transaction is complete when ready.

Online shopping through the app or website is faster if you know exactly what you want and your store has it in stock. You avoid the trip to the store and can shop at any time of day. However, you cannot see the product before pickup, and the online selection is usually smaller. Some specialty items or regional brands may not be available to order online, even if your store carries them.

Delivery is the slowest option in terms of when you receive your food, but it requires the least effort on your part. Delivery windows are usually two to three hours wide, and you must be home to receive the order and present your WIC card.

What to do if your WIC card is declined at pickup or delivery

If your WIC card does not work when you pick up your order, first check that you have the correct card — some households have multiple cards if there are multiple WIC recipients. Confirm with the cashier or driver that they are processing the transaction as a WIC purchase, not a regular debit card transaction.

If the card is correct and still declines, the issue is usually one of these: your WIC benefits have expired, your account is frozen pending recertification, the item is not actually approved in your state despite the online label, or there is a temporary system error. Ask the cashier to try the transaction again. If it fails a second time, you can pay out of pocket and contact your state WIC office the next business day to find out why the card did not work.

Keep your receipt and the order confirmation. Your WIC office may be able to issue a replacement transaction or credit if the decline was a system error on their end.

Pickup and delivery time limits and how to extend them

When you place an order for pickup, Walmart usually holds it for 30 days. If you do not pick it up within that window, the order is cancelled and the items are returned to the shelf. Perishable items like milk and meat may have a shorter hold time, sometimes as little as three to five days.

If you need more time, contact Walmart customer service through the app or website before the pickup date expires. They may be able to extend the hold, though this is not may provide. For delivery orders, you choose your delivery window at checkout, and the driver will attempt delivery during that window. If you are not home, the driver will leave a notice, and you can reschedule through the app.

Using WIC with Walmart+ and other Walmart services

Walmart+ is Walmart's membership program that offers free delivery on orders over a certain amount and other perks. You can use Walmart+ to place a WIC order, and the membership fee does not explore to WIC purchases. However, you still pay for the food itself with your WIC card at pickup or delivery — the membership does not cover the cost of the food.

Some Walmart locations offer same-day delivery through services like DoorDash or Instacart. These third-party services do not currently accept WIC cards, so you cannot use them to pay for WIC items. Stick with Walmart's own pickup and delivery options if you want to use WIC.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use WIC to pay for my order online before I pick it up?

No. Walmart does not accept WIC card payment during online checkout. You must complete your order, then pay with your WIC card when you pick up the items at the store or when the delivery driver arrives at your home.

What if Walmart's app shows an item as WIC-approved but my state does not allow it?

Contact your state WIC office and Walmart customer service. There may be a mismatch between Walmart's system and your state's approved food list. Your WIC office can tell you whether the item is actually allowed, and Walmart can update their system if there is an error.

Can I use WIC on Walmart.com if I do not have the app?

Yes. Walmart.com works the same way as the app. You can order WIC items through the website, select pickup or delivery, and pay with your WIC card when you receive your order. You do not need to read the app.

Do I have to use my WIC card for the entire order, or can I split payment?

You can split payment. Use your WIC card for approved items and another payment method for non-WIC items. The cashier or driver will ring up the WIC items separately and process them on your WIC card, then charge the other items to your debit card, credit card, or another method.

What happens if I order WIC items but they expire before I pick them up?

Walmart will not knowingly send you expired food. However, if an item is close to its expiration date, you can refuse it at pickup or delivery and ask for a substitute. If you discover an expired item after you get home, return it to the store with your receipt for a replacement.