Transferring WIC from Tennessee to Montana
Your WIC certification survives the move — the food benefits switch systems. Request a VOC card from your Tennessee clinic before you go; it is your proof of enrollment. In Montana, book an appointment with Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (Early Childhood and Family Support Division), bring the VOC and your new address, and benefits resume.
Official Montana WIC agency: Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (Early Childhood and Family Support Division) ↗ (application page)
Your step-by-step checklist
Before you move
- 1
Ask your current WIC clinic for a VOC card
Before you leave Tennessee, request a Verification of Certification (VOC) for each participant — Tennessee WIC directs participants to call 1-800-DIAL-WIC (1-800-342-5942) to request a VOC. Federal rules (7 CFR 246.7) require your new state to accept it, so your WIC certification moves with you. Then contact a WIC clinic in your new state to transfer.
Tennessee Department of Health ↗
Moving week
- 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
- 3
Contact Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (Early Childhood and Family Support Division) 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 ↗
Tennessee vs Montana: the numbers that decide it
| Tennessee (old state) | Montana (new state) | |
|---|---|---|
| Program name | Tennessee WIC | Montana WIC |
| Agency | Tennessee Department of Health | Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (Early Childhood and Family Support Division) |
| Income limit | 185% of the federal poverty level (the federal maximum); met automatically if you get SNAP, Medicaid, or TANF | 185% of the federal poverty level (the federal maximum); met automatically if you get SNAP, Medicaid, or TANF |
| Accepts VOC transfer card | Yes (federally required) | Yes (federally required) |
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 Tennessee → Montana checklistCommon 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 Montana enrolls you without a new income screening until your certification period ends. If the Montana 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 Tennessee?
Call your old Tennessee clinic — many can send the VOC or verify your certification for Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (Early Childhood and Family Support Division) directly. If that fails, you can apply fresh in Montana. The federal income test is 185% of the poverty guidelines in every state, and you meet it automatically once Montana approves you for SNAP, Medicaid, or TANF.
Will my Tennessee WIC benefits card work in Montana?
No — WIC benefits are issued on each state's own system, so the Tennessee card stops working. Your certification transfers via the VOC; Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (Early Childhood and Family Support Division) reissues the food benefits on Montana's system.
Where do I actually apply in Montana?
Through Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (Early Childhood and Family Support Division) (online application linked above). Official WIC pages for both states are cited at the bottom of this page.
Related guides
- Moving back: Montana to Tennessee WIC
- WIC in Tennessee: leaving or arriving
- WIC in Montana: leaving or arriving
- Moving with WIC: every state
- Tennessee to Wyoming WIC
- Tennessee to Virginia WIC
- Tennessee to Pennsylvania WIC
- Tennessee to North Dakota WIC
Other benefits on the same move
- Medicaid: Tennessee to Montana
- SNAP: Tennessee to Montana
- Unemployment: Tennessee to Montana
- TANF: Tennessee to Montana
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 .
- TN Department of Health — Tennessee WIC Program — accessed 2026-08-08
- Montana DPHHS WIC — accessed 2026-08-08