Ohio WIC Vendor Authorization Process

The Ohio WIC program contracts with vendors annually, on a regional basis, for up to three years. The region for a store is defined by county location (see map by clicking Ohio WIC Vendor Operation by Contracting Region.)

Interested vendors must notify the State WIC office no later than 150 days prior to the contract begin date for their region. For example, a Franklin County vendor is in contracting region four. Therefore, the vendor must request an application by July 1  for a contract beginning January 1 of the following year. Every vendor applicant must meet all the contracting criteria as defined in rule 3701-42 of the Ohio Administrative Code.  Specifically, every vendor must submit:

·                  A properly completed contract application.

·                  A copy of the store's Food Stamp authorization permit. 

·                  IRS documentation.

·                  W-9 form.

·                  Price survey.

·                  Infant formula supplier invoice.

·                  Automatic Deposit of State Warrants form.

·                  A voided check or deposit slip.

·                  A completed Declaration of Material Assistance (DMA) form.

The Ohio WIC program offers two types of contracts, retail and pharmacy. A retail contract means the store maintains the minimum quantities, sizes and types of authorized supplemental foods and can provide them to WIC participants or alternate shoppers at any time.

A pharmacy contract means the store provides only special infant formulas to WIC participants. Formulas must be available within 24 hours of a request.

There is a maximum number of pharmacy and retail contracts permitted per county.  For information on this and other rules governing the WIC program, please click http://www.odh.ohio.gov/rules/final/f3701-42.aspx. Vendors may also review the Ohio WIC Retail Vendor Manual by clicking OWRVM and/or the latest newsletter by clicking Ohio WIC Grocers Corner.

If you would like to request an application or speak to a WIC vendor specialist, please contact the Ohio WIC program at 1-800-282-3435.