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Transferring WIC from Colorado to Michigan

Mostly yes. The certification transfers via a VOC card from your Colorado clinic; the benefits themselves are reissued by Michigan's system. Two steps: request the VOC before moving, then bring it (plus proof of your new address) to Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Income is not re-checked just because you moved.

Official Michigan WIC agency: Michigan Department of Health and Human Services ↗ (application page)

Your step-by-step checklist

Before you move

  1. 1

    Ask your current WIC clinic for a VOC card

    Before leaving Colorado, ask your local WIC clinic for a Verification of Certification (VOC) card; the new state must accept it and honor the rest of your certification period (7 CFR 246.7). When transferring into a Colorado clinic, bring proof of identity in addition to the VOC.

    Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment ↗

Moving week

  1. 2

    Carry the VOC with your moving documents

    Your current state's WIC food benefits stop working after you leave its issuing system, but the VOC keeps your certification alive.

After you arrive

  1. 3

    Contact Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and book a transfer appointment

    Bring the VOC and proof of your new address. The new clinic must accept a valid VOC as proof of eligibility for the rest of your certification period, so you do not repeat the income screening; if it has a waiting list, transferring participants go to the top of it. Stated timing: up to 20 days.

    Find a clinic / apply ↗

Colorado vs Michigan: the numbers that decide it

 Colorado (old state)Michigan (new state)
Program nameColorado WICMichigan WIC
AgencyColorado Department of Public Health & EnvironmentMichigan Department of Health and Human Services
Income limit185% of the federal poverty level (the federal maximum); met automatically if you get SNAP, Medicaid, or TANF185% of the federal poverty level (the federal maximum); met automatically if you get SNAP, Medicaid, or TANF
Accepts VOC transfer cardYes (federally required)Yes (federally required)
Verified 2026-08-08 (Colorado) and 2026-08-08 (Michigan) against the official sources cited below.

Moving with more than one benefit?

The checklist generator merges Medicaid, SNAP, WIC, unemployment, and TANF into one ordered to-do list for this exact move.

Build the full Colorado → Michigan checklist

Common questions

What exactly is the VOC card?

The Verification of Certification is a document your current WIC clinic issues that proves you are certified. Federal rules (7 CFR 246.7) require every state agency to accept it as proof of eligibility, so Michigan enrolls you without a new income screening until your certification period ends. If the Michigan clinic has a waiting list, a transferring participant with a VOC goes to the top of it.

What if I forgot to get a VOC before leaving Colorado?

Call your old Colorado clinic — many can send the VOC or verify your certification for Michigan Department of Health and Human Services directly. If that fails, you can apply fresh in Michigan. The federal income test is 185% of the poverty guidelines in every state, and you meet it automatically once Michigan approves you for SNAP, Medicaid, or TANF.

Will my Colorado WIC benefits card work in Michigan?

No — WIC benefits are issued on each state's own system, so the Colorado card stops working. Your certification transfers via the VOC; Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reissues the food benefits on Michigan's system.

Where do I actually apply in Michigan?

Through Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (online application linked above). Official WIC pages for both states are cited at the bottom of this page.

Related guides

Other benefits on the same move

Terms on this page: Federal poverty level (FPL) · Verification of Certification (VOC) · Certification period

Official sources

Every fact above was checked against these official pages. Last verified .

Written by Benefits Transfer Editorial Team

Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor

Last verified