New Hampshire WIC gives pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and children under 5 monthly food benefits on an eWIC card, plus nutrition counseling and breastfeeding support, for households at or below 185% of the federal poverty level. The fastest way to start is the online pre-application portal at nhwic.com, though you can also call 1-800-942-4321 (1-800-WIC-4321) or contact one of the four regional agencies directly. If anyone in your household already receives Medicaid, SNAP, or TANF, you are automatically income-eligible and can skip most of the income paperwork.
New Hampshire's WIC program is run through the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) but delivered on the ground by four contracted local agencies covering all 10 counties. There is no single statewide WIC office you walk into. Your local agency handles scheduling, certification appointments, and ongoing benefits. This guide covers who qualifies, the current income limits, what documents to bring, and exactly how to reach the agency that serves your county.
Who Qualifies for WIC in New Hampshire
WIC eligibility comes down to four factors: your category, household income, New Hampshire residency, and a nutrition risk assessment done by WIC staff. You do not need to be a US citizen. WIC does not ask about immigration status, and applying does not affect any immigration case.
You may qualify if you are:
- Pregnant, at any point during the pregnancy
- Postpartum and breastfeeding, until the baby turns 1
- Postpartum and not breastfeeding, until the baby is 6 months old
- Someone who recently experienced a pregnancy loss
- An infant, from birth to 12 months
- A child from age 1 up to the fifth birthday
- A father, grandparent, foster parent, or other primary caregiver applying on behalf of an eligible child
That last category is worth repeating. A grandmother raising a toddler, a foster parent with a new placement, or a father who handles most of the caregiving can all enroll a child in WIC without the child's mother being part of the application at all.
New Hampshire WIC Income Limits 2026
New Hampshire uses the federal WIC income eligibility guidelines, set at 185% of the federal poverty level. The table below reflects the guidelines in effect through June 30, 2027. WIC counts gross income, meaning pay before taxes and deductions come out, 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 person | +$10,508 | +$876 | +$203 |
If you are pregnant, your unborn child counts as a household member. A pregnant woman living alone counts as a household of two, which raises her limit from $29,526 to $40,034 a year. A pregnant woman expecting twins counts as a household of three.
New Hampshire's cost of living is higher than the national average, and many families assume their income is too high for WIC. Run the actual math against your household size, including any children on the way, before ruling it out. A single parent with two children qualifies at up to $50,542 a year in gross income.
Automatic Eligibility Through Other Programs
New Hampshire grants adjunctive (automatic) income eligibility if you or anyone in your household is enrolled in:
- Medicaid, including NH Medicaid coverage received during pregnancy or a newborn's hospital stay
- SNAP, New Hampshire's food assistance program
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
Bring the award letter or benefit card for any of these programs to your appointment and you can skip the income documentation step entirely. This is common for new mothers, since many already have Medicaid coverage from the birth.
How to Apply for WIC in New Hampshire: Step by Step
Step 1: Start Your Application Online or by Phone
New Hampshire offers an online pre-application portal at nhwic.com/preapplicationportal, which lets you submit your information and request a certification appointment without an initial phone call. If you would rather talk to someone directly, call the statewide WIC line at 1-800-942-4321 (1-800-WIC-4321) or (603) 271-4546. You can also find your nearest clinic by entering your zip code at signupwic.com.
Step 2: Contact Your Regional Agency
New Hampshire delivers WIC through four contracted local agencies, each covering specific counties:
| Agency | Counties Served | Phone |
|---|
| Community Action Program Belknap-Merrimack | Belknap, Coos, Grafton, Merrimack | (603) 225-2050 or 1-800-578-2050 |
| Goodwin Community Health | Carroll, Strafford | (603) 332-4358 or 1-855-332-4358 |
| Southern New Hampshire Services | Hillsborough, Rockingham | (603) 668-8010 or 1-800-256-9880 |
| Southwestern Community Services | Cheshire, Sullivan | (603) 352-7512 or 1-800-529-0005 |
Each agency runs its own clinic sites and satellite locations, so if the office nearest you is not the one listed above, ask about satellite clinics before assuming you have to travel to the main site.
Step 3: Gather Your Documents
Bring these to your certification appointment:
Proof of identity. A government-issued photo ID for the adult applying. For an infant without a photo ID, a birth record or hospital discharge paperwork is generally accepted.
Proof of New Hampshire residency. A lease, utility bill, or piece of mail showing your name and current address.
Proof of income, or automatic eligibility. Recent pay stubs, a tax return, or a letter from your employer. If your household already has Medicaid, SNAP, or TANF, bring that card or award letter instead.
Proof of the WIC category. If pregnant, a note from your doctor or midwife confirming the pregnancy and due date. If applying for a child, bring the child to the appointment.
Step 4: Complete the Certification Appointment
New Hampshire WIC certification appointments happen in person or, in some cases, by phone through the pre-application portal, and typically take about 45 minutes to an hour. Staff verify your documents, check height and weight, do a brief finger-stick check for iron levels, and discuss eating habits and health history. This nutrition risk assessment is a required part of eligibility, not a formality, and most applicants who meet the income and category requirements are found to have a qualifying nutritional risk, since qualifying conditions include common issues like a limited diet or being underweight or overweight.
If you qualify, New Hampshire typically issues benefits at that first appointment, and you leave with an eWIC card loaded with food benefits.
Step 5: Use and Keep Your Benefits
Your eWIC card works like a debit card at authorized New Hampshire grocery stores and some farm stands. Download the free WICShopper app to check your balance, scan items in the aisle to confirm they are WIC-approved, view your shopping list, and track upcoming appointments.
Certification periods generally run 6 months to 1 year depending on your category. Recertify before your period expires, since missing the deadline ends your benefits and you would need to reapply.
What New Hampshire WIC Benefits Are Worth
WIC benefits are specific food packages, not cash. A typical monthly package includes milk, eggs, cheese or yogurt, whole grains, cereal, juice, peanut butter or beans, and contract-brand infant formula for infants who are not exclusively breastfed.
The cash value benefit (CVB) for fruits and vegetables is set annually and is typically around $26 a month for children, and roughly $47 to $52 a month for pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding participants, with breastfeeding parents generally receiving the higher amount. Check with your local agency for the current benefit year's exact figures, since these amounts are adjusted periodically.
Common Reasons New Hampshire Applications Stall
Assuming you earn too much. The unborn-child household rule and the 2026 income limit increase mean many families qualify who assumed they would not.
Not knowing which agency covers your town. New Hampshire's four regional agencies split the state by county, and calling the wrong one just adds a transfer. Use the table above or call the statewide line at 1-800-942-4321 if you are unsure.
Skipping the pre-application portal. Filling out the online pre-application at nhwic.com before your appointment speeds up the process, since staff already have your basic information when you arrive.
Letting a certification lapse. Benefits stop the day the certification period ends, even if nothing in your household changed. Put the recertification date somewhere you will see it.
For more on New Hampshire assistance programs, see our New Hampshire benefits guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for WIC in New Hampshire?
Start with the online pre-application portal at nhwic.com, or call the statewide WIC line at 1-800-942-4321 (1-800-WIC-4321) or (603) 271-4546. You can also contact your regional agency directly to schedule a certification appointment, or find the nearest clinic by entering your zip code at signupwic.com.
What is the income limit for WIC in New Hampshire in 2026?
185% of the federal poverty level. That is $29,526 a year for a household of one, $40,034 for two, $50,542 for three, and $61,050 for four, with $10,508 added per additional household member. A pregnant woman counts her unborn child as an additional household member.
Can I get WIC in New Hampshire if I already get SNAP or Medicaid?
Yes. Enrollment in Medicaid, SNAP, or TANF makes you automatically income-eligible for WIC. Bring the card or award letter to your appointment instead of pay stubs. You still complete the nutrition risk assessment.
Do I need to be a US citizen to get WIC in New Hampshire?
No. WIC does not require proof of citizenship or immigration status, and participating does not affect any immigration or naturalization process. You do need to live in New Hampshire.
Which WIC agency covers my county in New Hampshire?
Community Action Program Belknap-Merrimack covers Belknap, Coos, Grafton, and Merrimack counties. Goodwin Community Health covers Carroll and Strafford counties. Southern New Hampshire Services covers Hillsborough and Rockingham counties. Southwestern Community Services covers Cheshire and Sullivan counties.
How long does it take to get WIC benefits in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire generally issues benefits at the first certification appointment, which runs about 45 minutes to an hour. Many families leave with a loaded eWIC card the same day. Starting with the online pre-application portal can speed up scheduling.
Can fathers and grandparents apply for WIC in New Hampshire?
Yes. Any parent, foster parent, grandparent, or primary caregiver can apply on behalf of an eligible infant or child under 5. The adult applying does not need to personally qualify for the child to be enrolled.
What can I buy with a New Hampshire eWIC card?
Specific approved foods, including milk, eggs, cheese, yogurt, cereal, whole grains, juice, peanut butter, beans, infant formula, and baby food, plus a monthly cash value benefit for fruits and vegetables. The WICShopper app lets you scan a product before you reach the register to confirm it is WIC-approved.
What happens if I miss my WIC recertification appointment in New Hampshire?
Your benefits stop at the end of the certification period. Contact your regional agency as soon as possible to reschedule. You can reapply, but there may be a gap in benefits, so it is easier to keep the original appointment or call ahead if you need to reschedule.
