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Transferring WIC from New Mexico to Arkansas

Ask for one thing before the move: the VOC card. Federal WIC rules (7 CFR 246.7) require every state to accept it as proof of your certification. Once in Arkansas, Arkansas Department of Health transfers you in at an appointment — no new income screening until your current period ends.

Official Arkansas WIC agency: Arkansas Department of Health ↗

Your step-by-step checklist

Before you move

  1. 1

    Ask your current WIC clinic for a VOC card

    Before you leave New Mexico, ask your local WIC clinic for a Verification of Certification (VOC) card. Federal rules (7 CFR 246.7) require your new state to accept it, so your certification moves with you for the rest of its period. NM WIC statewide line: 866-867-3124.

    New Mexico Department of Health ↗

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 Arkansas Department of Health 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.

    Arkansas Department of Health ↗

New Mexico vs Arkansas: the numbers that decide it

 New Mexico (old state)Arkansas (new state)
Program nameNew Mexico WICArkansas WIC
AgencyNew Mexico Department of HealthArkansas Department of Health
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 (New Mexico) and 2026-08-08 (Arkansas) 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 New Mexico → Arkansas 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 Arkansas enrolls you without a new income screening until your certification period ends. If the Arkansas 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 New Mexico?

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

Will my New Mexico WIC benefits card work in Arkansas?

No — WIC benefits are issued on each state's own system, so the New Mexico card stops working. Your certification transfers via the VOC; Arkansas Department of Health reissues the food benefits on Arkansas's system.

Where do I actually apply in Arkansas?

Through Arkansas Department of Health. 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