California WIC Customer Service Number — Complete Practical Guide

Contents

1 California WIC Customer Service Number — Complete Practical Guide

Primary contact and official resources

The primary statewide contact for the California Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) WIC program. For general questions, eligibility screening, referrals to your local WIC clinic and statewide program information, the toll-free customer service line is 1-888-942-9675. The CDPH WIC program web page is the authoritative online resource: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CFH/DFDCS/Pages/WICProgram.aspx.

CDPH headquarters mailing address (for written inquiries and formal correspondence) is commonly listed as California Department of Public Health, 1615 Capitol Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95814. Use the toll-free number above or the CDPH WIC web pages first for faster resolution; mail correspondence can take several weeks for a response.

When to call the WIC customer service number

The statewide WIC customer service line handles: locating the nearest County or local WIC agency; general eligibility questions (income limits, categorical eligibility such as pregnancy or breastfeeding status); appointment scheduling guidance; and transfers between local WIC clinics when a family moves. It is also the starting point if you need an accommodation (language, mobility, hearing) or a formal complaint escalated beyond a local clinic.

Do not use the general line for EBT-specific account changes (PIN resets, card replacement) unless directed; most WIC EBT cards have a customer service number printed on the back and many issues are resolved faster through the EBT vendor number or your local WIC clinic. If you encounter problems at a grocery store (item not recognized as WIC-approved, scanning issues, vendor refusal), call your local WIC clinic immediately and document the store name, date, and cashier so WIC staff can follow up.

What to have ready before you call

Preparation shortens hold time and improves outcome. Have the following items ready: your name as it appears on WIC records, the WIC ID or EBT card number (if you have it), primary phone number, date of birth for the WIC participant(s), and the address on file. If you are calling about a child, have the child’s date of birth and the clinic name where you last received services.

Essential documents you may be asked to provide: government photo ID (driver’s license or state ID), proof of residency (utility bill or rental agreement), proof of income (pay stubs, Medi-Cal or CalWORKs award letter), and proof of identity and age for children (birth certificate). Carry originals to clinic appointments; digital copies are acceptable for intake in many counties but confirm when you call.

If you call about EBT problems: have the WIC EBT card number, last transaction date, and the POS receipt (if available). For lost/stolen cards, ask for immediate deactivation and replacement procedures; replacement often requires clinic authorization or a visit depending on county policy.

Local clinic access, hours and caseload context

California operates WIC services through ~83 local agencies (county or multi-county contractors) with hundreds of clinic sites statewide. Combined, California’s WIC program serves over one million participants each month (roughly 1.0–1.3 million in recent years), making it one of the largest state WIC programs in the nation. Clinic schedules and availability vary: many offer weekday hours, some provide early-morning or evening appointments, and several counties maintain walk-in hours for certain services.

Use the statewide customer service number or the CDPH WIC website to find the precise phone number and hours for your county WIC office. Local agencies will give the fastest help for recertification appointments, breastfeeding support groups, and in-person EBT card replacement. If you move counties, you must notify both your former and new local WIC agencies to transfer records and benefits smoothly.

Common problems and step-by-step actions

The most common reasons callers need customer service help are: (1) difficulty scheduling or rescheduling appointments; (2) confusion about WIC-approved foods and changes in product eligibility; (3) EBT card malfunctions, lost or stolen cards; and (4) vendor issues at checkout. Customer service staff will triage and either resolve the issue or route you to the appropriate local clinic, EBT vendor line, or CDPH complaint process.

Step-by-step when you encounter a problem: 1) Call 1-888-942-9675 and explain the issue; 2) If it’s EBT-specific, read the number on the back of the card and call that vendor line as directed; 3) Note the ticket/case number or name of the staff you spoke with; 4) If unresolved, request escalation to a supervisor or ask for instructions to file a formal grievance with the local agency or CDPH.

Document everything: store name, store location, date/time, UPC/product barcode, receipt and cashier name/ID. These specifics accelerate investigations and vendor corrections when a product is misclassified or a terminal is not processing WIC correctly.

Additional practical tips and useful links

Install the WICShopper app (available on iOS and Android) to check WIC-approved items and UPC matches while you shop; the app is a practical complement to calling customer service. For policy questions and national-level guidance, consult the USDA Food and Nutrition Service WIC page at https://www.fns.usda.gov/wic.

If you need language assistance, request an interpreter when you call the toll-free number; California WIC typically provides services in English, Spanish and multiple other languages through county clinics. For hearing or speech access, use your local relay service or ask for TTY accommodations when contacting your local WIC office or the statewide number.