Louisiana’s WIC program is swapping out its electronic benefits cards Saturday, bringing an online system that promises fewer clinic trips for families using nutrition assistance. The upgrade arrives as the state faces pointed criticism over low participation, weak outreach and unused federal benefits.
Louisiana WIC says clinics began distributing the new cards in June, but families should wait until Saturday to use them at stores. Before shopping, cardholders must set a personal identification number through the myWIC mobile app or by calling the number printed on the back of the card.
New system targets repeat clinic visits
Under the new setup, WIC clinics can issue quarterly benefits remotely instead of requiring participants to return for every reload, according to New Orleans CityBusiness. Participants will also be able to manage benefits online, while the new cards are intended to simplify transactions at approved grocery stores statewide.
The timing is hard to miss. A Louisiana Legislative Auditor report said the state ranked 50th nationally for WIC coverage, 56 of 100 clinics failed monthly outreach requirements during federal fiscal year 2025, and 81 clinics operated only between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. The report also found that 46.8% of food-package units went unredeemed in 2025 and that Louisiana left $111.6 million in available federal WIC funding unused from federal fiscal years 2021 through 2024.
As reported by New Orleans CityBusiness, Louisiana had about 92,000 WIC participants during federal fiscal year 2024 even though roughly 196,000 residents were estimated to qualify. More than half of complaints in the state’s 2024 participant satisfaction survey involved appointment availability, meaning the card upgrade may remove one recurring barrier without solving the broader problems around enrollment, transportation and clinic hours.
Families that already received new cards should continue using their current cards through Friday, then switch to the new cards Saturday. The state’s bet is that fewer reload appointments and easier online account management will make WIC more usable for the families it has struggled to reach.
