The Cochise Health and Social Services along with the Arizona Department of Health Services have introduced a new electronic system for individuals receiving benefits through the WIC program.

According to the Cochise Health and Social Services department, individuals and families on the WIC program can now use the eWIC card which will replace the traditional paper check system. In addition, the new electronic systems allows WIC families and individuals to use an app on their Apple or Android devices. Through the app called EzWIC, those in the WIC program can search food lists and scan store items to see if they are WIC approved. Individuals can also check their benefit WIC balances through the app.

“The Cochise County WIC program provides services to 3,500 participants each month,” Cochise Health and Social Services director Carrie Langley said in a press release. “The move to eWIC means our WIC families can shop for the same healthy WIC-approved foods with more flexibility to go to the store throughout the month with their WIC benefits on one card.”

WIC is a public health nutrition program designed to help income-eligible women who are pregnant, postpartum, infants and children up to 5 years old. The program provides healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support and access to community services.