Mississippi WIC gives pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and children under 5 monthly food benefits, nutrition counseling, and breastfeeding support when household income is at or below 185% of the federal poverty level. You can apply two ways: complete the online application at redcap.link/WICOnlineApplication, which takes 15 to 20 minutes and lets you upload your documents, or call the WIC scheduling center at 1-800-338-6747 to book an appointment at your county health department. If anyone in your household already receives Medicaid, food stamps (SNAP), or TANF, you automatically meet the income requirement and can skip separate income paperwork.
Mississippi WIC is run by the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) and delivered through county health departments and WIC clinics across all 82 counties. There is no single office that handles the whole state, so your appointment date, your clinic days, and your walk-in options depend on which county health department serves you. Here is who qualifies, the income limits in effect right now, and exactly what happens at each step.
Who Qualifies for WIC in Mississippi
Four things decide eligibility: your category, your household income, Mississippi residency, and a medical or nutritional risk assessment done at your appointment. There is no citizenship or immigration status requirement, and participating in WIC is not counted in a public charge determination.
You may qualify if you are:
- Pregnant, at any point during pregnancy
- Breastfeeding, up to your baby's first birthday
- Postpartum and not breastfeeding, up to 6 months after delivery
- An infant, from birth to the first birthday
- A child, from age 1 up to the 5th birthday
- A father, grandparent, foster parent, or other primary caregiver applying on behalf of an eligible infant or child
Caregivers who are not applying for themselves can still start and manage a child's WIC case. A grandmother raising a 2-year-old or a father with an infant can enroll that child.
Mississippi has not expanded Medicaid, which means many working parents earn too much for adult Medicaid coverage and assume they will not qualify for anything else. WIC's income ceiling is far higher than Mississippi's Medicaid limits for adults, so a household that has been turned down for Medicaid can still qualify for WIC comfortably. The two programs are not connected in that direction.
Mississippi WIC Income Limits 2026
Mississippi uses the federal WIC income eligibility guidelines, set at 185% of the federal poverty level. The table below shows the guidelines published by MSDH and effective July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. WIC counts gross income, meaning income before taxes, insurance, or any other deductions, not your take-home pay.
| Household Size | Annual Income | Monthly Income | Weekly Income |
|---|
| 1 | $29,526 | $2,461 | $568 |
| 2 | $40,034 | $3,337 | $770 |
| 3 | $50,542 | $4,212 | $972 |
| 4 | $61,050 | $5,088 | $1,175 |
| 5 | $71,558 | $5,964 | $1,377 |
| 6 | $82,066 | $6,839 | $1,579 |
| 7 | $92,574 | $7,715 | $1,781 |
| 8 | $103,082 | $8,591 | $1,983 |
| Each additional member | +$10,508 | +$876 | +$203 |
These limits rose from the prior program year. A family of four could earn $59,478 under the guidelines that ran through June 30, 2026, and can now earn $61,050. If a clinic told you last year that you were slightly over the line, the number moved, and it is worth checking again.
A pregnant woman counts her unborn baby as a household member. A pregnant woman living alone is a household of 2 for WIC purposes, which raises her annual limit from $29,526 to $40,034. Twins add another member, making her a household of 3.
Automatic (Adjunctive) Income Eligibility
You do not need to document income separately if you or anyone in your household participates in:
- Mississippi Medicaid, including CHIP, administered by the Mississippi Division of Medicaid
- SNAP (food stamps), administered by the Mississippi Department of Human Services
- TANF, Mississippi's cash assistance program, also through MDHS
Bring your Medicaid card, your EBT card, or an approval letter to your appointment, or upload it with the online application, and the income step is finished. This is the fastest route through the process, and a large share of Mississippi WIC participants come in this way.
What Mississippi WIC Provides
Approved participants get an eWIC card. You swipe it and enter a four-digit PIN at approved grocery stores and pharmacies across the state, the same way you would use a debit card. Tell the cashier you are paying with eWIC before your items are scanned.
Foods you can buy with the eWIC card include:
- Milk, cheese, and yogurt
- Eggs
- Cereal, whole wheat bread, brown rice, whole wheat pasta, and whole wheat or corn tortillas
- 100% juice
- Peanut butter and beans
- Fresh, frozen, or canned fruits and vegetables
- Infant formula and baby food
Women who are exclusively breastfeeding receive larger quantities of WIC foods, plus canned fish such as tuna or salmon added to their package. You will receive a WIC Food Guide at your first appointment along with a shopping list tailored to your family, and MSDH publishes the guide in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
Beyond food, Mississippi WIC provides nutrition education and one-on-one counseling, breastfeeding support, and referrals to Medicaid, SNAP, immunization clinics, and other health services offered at county health departments.
The WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program
Mississippi runs a seasonal WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP). Women, infants over 9 months of age, and children on WIC can receive a one-time $30 benefit to buy fresh fruits and vegetables between June 1 and October 31 at authorized farmers markets and farm stands. Participants apply online, usually through the WICShopper app, and receive a QR code by email that they scan at the market. The application window opens in the spring and closes once the season is underway, so ask your clinic or watch the app for the next enrollment period. Local WIC clinics can help you apply if you need assistance.
How to Apply for WIC in Mississippi: Step by Step
Step 1: Check Whether You Likely Qualify
Compare your household's gross monthly income to the table above, counting an unborn baby if you are pregnant. If you or anyone in the household already has Medicaid, SNAP, or TANF, you meet the income test regardless of the number. The USDA also runs a free prescreening tool at fns.usda.gov/wic/eligibility-tool that gives you a quick read in a few minutes. Neither step is a formal application.
Step 2: Gather Your Documents Before You Start
This matters more in Mississippi than in most states, because the online application cannot be saved partway through. If you walk away, you start over. Collect all three categories first:
- Proof of identity for each person applying: a valid driver's license, Social Security card, U.S. passport, military ID, or a current shot record for a child
- Proof of residence: a current utility bill or bank statement, a driver's license showing your current address, or a mortgage or rental agreement
- Proof of income: a recent pay stub less than 60 days old, an employer statement showing gross income, W-2 forms or a tax return, or your Medicaid, TANF, or food stamps documentation if you are automatically eligible
If you are applying while pregnant, bring or upload confirmation of pregnancy from your health care provider.
Step 3: Apply Online, or Call to Schedule
Online: go to redcap.link/WICOnlineApplication. The application takes 15 to 20 minutes and lets you upload documents or photos for identity, residence, and income. Because it cannot be saved in progress, set aside an uninterrupted block of time and have your files or photos ready on the device you are using.
By phone: call the WIC scheduling center at 1-800-338-6747 to book an appointment at your local county health department or WIC clinic. Use this number as well if you have trouble scheduling, have questions about your benefits, or are already enrolled and need help. If you need an interpreter or another accommodation, MSDH provides free language assistance at 1-800-545-6747.
Step 4: Find Your County Health Department
Most Mississippi WIC clinics operate inside county health departments. MSDH lists locations and phone numbers by region at msdh.ms.gov/page/19,0,166.html, covering the Coastal, Southeast, Southwest, Northeast, Northwest, Delta, and Tombigbee areas. Many rural county clinics hold WIC days on a set weekly schedule rather than every weekday, so call before you drive.
Step 5: Attend Your Certification Appointment
Each person applying should attend. Staff review your documents, record height and weight, and usually do a quick finger-stick check for anemia. A nutritionist then asks about your family's eating habits, medical history, and any feeding concerns. This is the medical and nutritional risk assessment, a federal requirement that sits alongside the income test. Most applicants who meet the income limit also meet at least one risk criterion, because the list is broad and includes pregnancy itself, low iron, limited diet, and being underweight or overweight. Bring a clean, dry diaper if an infant needs to be weighed, and plan for the first visit to take up to an hour or two.
Step 6: Get Your eWIC Card and Start Shopping
If you are approved, staff issue your eWIC card and set your PIN, and benefits load once your certification is complete. Download the free WICShopper app for iPhone or Android to check your balance, scan barcodes in the store to confirm an item is covered, find approved stores and clinics, and get reminders before benefits expire.
Two things to know about the card. Your balance in the app can take up to 48 hours to catch up after you shop, so the store receipt is the more current record. And unused benefits do not roll over to the next month, so shop before your benefit period ends. If you enter the wrong PIN four times, the card locks until the next day, or you can call eWIC customer service at 1-855-897-5897.
Step 7: Keep Your Appointments and Recertify
Certification periods depend on your category. Infants are generally certified through the first birthday, children ages 1 to 4 are typically recertified about every 6 months, pregnant women are certified through pregnancy and into the postpartum window, and breastfeeding mothers can stay certified until the baby turns 1. Between certifications you will have nutrition education contacts. Missing those can pause your benefits, so call and reschedule rather than skipping.
Key Mississippi WIC Contacts
- Online application: redcap.link/WICOnlineApplication
- WIC scheduling center and call center: 1-800-338-6747
- State WIC program office: (601) 991-6000, or toll-free (800) 545-6747
- Language assistance and accommodations: 1-800-545-6747
- eWIC card customer service: 1-855-897-5897
- County health department directory: msdh.ms.gov/page/19,0,166.html
- Program information: msdh.ms.gov/page/41,0,128.html
- Mailing address: Mississippi WIC Program, 805 S. Wheatley St., Suite 400, Ridgeland, MS 39157
Availability varies widely by county. Clinics in Hinds, Harrison, DeSoto, and Rankin counties usually have more appointment slots, while smaller Delta and rural counties may run WIC one or two days a week. The scheduling center can tell you the soonest opening near you.
If you want to see what else your household might qualify for, including Mississippi Medicaid, CHIP, SNAP, TANF, and LIHEAP, our Mississippi benefits guide covers income limits and application steps for each program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for WIC in Mississippi completely online?
You can complete the application and upload your identity, residence, and income documents online at redcap.link/WICOnlineApplication. Final certification still involves an appointment where staff complete the health and nutrition risk assessment and issue your eWIC card. The online application is what gets your case started and cuts down on paperwork at the visit.
What is the income limit for WIC in Mississippi for a family of four?
$61,050 per year, or $5,088 per month, under the guidelines effective July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. That is gross income before taxes and deductions. If you are pregnant, your unborn baby counts toward household size.
Do I need to be a US citizen to get WIC in Mississippi?
No. WIC has no citizenship or immigration status requirement. Any Mississippi resident who is pregnant, postpartum, an infant, or a child under 5 and meets the income guidelines can apply.
Can I get WIC if I already have Medicaid or food stamps in Mississippi?
Yes. Enrollment in Mississippi Medicaid, SNAP, or TANF automatically satisfies WIC's income requirement. You will still complete the category and nutritional risk portions, but you can skip separate income documentation by bringing your card or approval letter.
How long does it take to get WIC in Mississippi?
Many applicants are certified and receive a loaded eWIC card at the same appointment. The wait is usually for the appointment itself, which can range from a few days to a couple of weeks depending on how busy your county clinic is. Call 1-800-338-6747 as early as possible, especially early in pregnancy.
What if my income is slightly over the limit?
Apply anyway. An unborn baby raises your household size, and WIC looks at your current income, so reduced hours, a recent job loss, or seasonal work can change the answer. Enrollment in Medicaid, SNAP, or TANF also settles the income question outright. There is no cost or downside to finding out.
Does Mississippi WIC cover infant formula?
Yes. Infants who are partially or fully formula-fed receive infant formula through WIC, with the brand and amount set by the state's formula contract and the baby's age. Specialty formulas generally require documentation from your child's health care provider.
Can a father or grandparent apply for a child in Mississippi?
Yes. Any parent, guardian, foster parent, or primary caregiver can apply for and manage WIC benefits for an eligible infant or child under 5, whether or not they are applying for themselves.
Is there any cost to apply for or use WIC?
No. WIC is a free federal nutrition program. There is no application fee, no charge for appointments or screenings, and nothing to repay.
