Washington state now offers 'debit' cards to replace paper checks for WIC

Washington state is beginning to offer plastic debit-like cards to pregnant women and new mothers who are under the state’s nutrition program WIC. In the past they had to use paper checks. Now they’re being phased out.

WIC helps families buy healthy foods like milk, cheese and baby food.

In March the state tested the electronic cards on a small group of participants and the response was positive. Many liked that it no longer meant keeping track of paper checks which made it easier to shop at grocery stores.

The transition from paper to plastic cards begins this month and will continue through fall.

Nearly 275,000 women, infants and children participated in WIC in 2017.