Texas WIC gives pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and children under 5 monthly food benefits, nutrition guidance, and breastfeeding support to households at or below 185% of the federal poverty level. To apply, start the pre-application at texaswic.org, or call 1-800-942-3678, and a local WIC clinic will contact you to schedule a certification appointment. Bring proof of identity, Texas residency, and income, though if anyone in your household already gets Medicaid, SNAP, or TANF, you are automatically income-eligible and can skip separate income documents.
Texas WIC is run by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission and delivered through more than 400 local clinics across the state, run by roughly 79 local agencies including public health departments, hospitals, and nonprofit organizations. Unlike some states, Texas has built a real statewide online starting point at texaswic.org, which speeds up the first step, but full enrollment still requires an in-person or virtual certification appointment. Here is exactly who qualifies, the 2026 to 2027 income limits, and what to expect at each step.
Who Qualifies for WIC in Texas
Eligibility comes down to three factors: category, household income, and Texas residency. There is no citizenship or immigration status requirement to apply, and using WIC does not count against anyone in a public charge determination.
You may qualify if you are:
- Pregnant, at any point during pregnancy
- Postpartum, up to 6 months after delivery if not breastfeeding
- Breastfeeding, up to 1 year 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 caregiver applying on behalf of an eligible infant or child
Caregivers who are not applying for benefits themselves can still start and manage a child's WIC case. Working households qualify routinely. WIC's income ceiling sits well above the cutoff for most other Texas assistance programs, so a family that does not qualify for Texas Medicaid can still easily qualify for WIC.
Texas WIC Income Limits 2026
Texas WIC uses 185% of the federal poverty level, the same standard used nationwide. These are the USDA income eligibility guidelines in effect July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, based on gross income (before taxes and deductions).
| 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 |
A pregnant woman counts as at least 2 household members, since the unborn baby is included. A pregnant woman applying on her own is treated as a household of 2, raising her limit to $40,034 per year rather than $29,526. Carrying twins or triplets adds an additional household member for each baby.
Automatic Income Eligibility
You do not need to submit separate income paperwork if anyone in your household already participates in:
- Texas Medicaid (including CHIP-Perinatal)
- SNAP (food benefits through Your Texas Benefits)
- TANF (Texas cash assistance)
Bring your Medicaid card, EBT card, or approval letter to your appointment and the income step is already satisfied. This is the quickest path through the process for families already connected to another benefit.
What Texas WIC Provides
Approved participants receive monthly food benefits loaded onto a Texas WIC card, swiped like a debit card at authorized grocery stores and some farmers markets. The specific food package depends on category (infant, child, pregnant, breastfeeding, or postpartum) and any documented dietary needs.
Typical benefits include:
- Milk, cheese, and yogurt
- Eggs
- Whole wheat bread, tortillas, brown rice, and whole grain cereal
- 100% fruit or vegetable juice
- Peanut butter, dried or canned beans, peas, or lentils
- Canned fish for fully breastfeeding mothers
- Infant formula, infant cereal, and baby food for infants who are not fully breastfed
- A monthly cash value benefit for fresh, frozen, or canned fruits and vegetables
Beyond food, Texas WIC includes personalized nutrition counseling, breastfeeding support with access to lactation consultants and breast pumps, and referrals to Texas Medicaid, SNAP, CHIP, immunization clinics, and other community resources.
How to Apply for WIC in Texas: Step by Step
Step 1: Prescreen Your Eligibility
Use the USDA WIC prescreening tool at fns.usda.gov/wic/eligibility-tool for a quick estimate of whether your household is likely to qualify. It takes just a few minutes and is not a formal application, so completing it does not reserve your spot in line.
Step 2: Start the Application at texaswic.org
Go to texaswic.org/apply and complete the online pre-application. It asks for basic information about your household, income, and location, and takes only a few minutes. Once submitted, a team member from the local WIC clinic serving your area contacts you to schedule your certification appointment.
You can also skip the online form and call 1-800-942-3678 directly to begin the process by phone. Both routes lead to the same next step: a scheduled appointment with your local clinic.
Step 3: Find Your Local Clinic (Optional)
If you would rather find a clinic directly, use the office locator at office.texaswic.org to search by ZIP code. Texas runs more than 400 clinic sites through about 79 local agencies, so most applicants have several options nearby, especially in the Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, San Antonio, and Austin areas.
Step 4: Gather Your Documents
Bring these to your certification appointment, whether it is in person or virtual:
- Proof of identity for each applicant (driver's license, state ID, passport, birth certificate, or hospital discharge papers for a newborn)
- Proof of Texas residency (utility bill, lease agreement, or recent mail showing your current address)
- Proof of income (recent pay stubs, an employer letter, unemployment or Social Security award letter, or a recent tax return if self-employed), unless you already qualify automatically through Medicaid, SNAP, or TANF
- Proof of program participation if applying through automatic eligibility (Medicaid card, EBT card, or approval letter)
- Social Security numbers for applicants, if available
- Proof of pregnancy, such as a note from a health care provider, if applying while pregnant
Texas WIC clinics work with applicants who cannot produce every document immediately. Call your local clinic if something is missing rather than delaying the appointment.
Step 5: Attend the Certification Appointment
Each woman, infant, or child applying for benefits must be present at the certification visit, either in person or through an approved virtual appointment where staff can guide height, weight, and finger-stick screening remotely. Staff record height and weight and typically screen for anemia with a quick finger stick. A nutritionist reviews your income documents and asks about eating habits, medical history, and any feeding concerns as part of the nutritional risk assessment, which is a federal requirement alongside the income test. Most applicants who meet the income limit also meet at least one nutritional risk criterion, since the list covers common conditions like being underweight, having a limited diet, or being pregnant itself.
Step 6: Get Your WIC Card and Start Shopping
If approved, staff issue a Texas WIC card, typically the same day as the appointment, loaded with your first month of benefits. Check your balance through the Texas WIC mobile app (available for Apple and Android), by calling the number on the back of your card, or at the register when you shop. The app also lets you scan barcodes to confirm an item is WIC-approved before checkout.
Step 7: Keep Up With Recertification
Certification periods vary by category. Infants are typically certified through the first birthday, children ages 1 to 4 are usually recertified about every 6 months, and pregnant women are certified through pregnancy and into the postpartum period. You will also have periodic nutrition education contacts between certifications, so keep those appointments to avoid a gap in benefits.
Key Texas WIC Contacts
- Statewide WIC line (apply or ask questions): 1-800-942-3678
- Online pre-application: texaswic.org/apply
- Clinic locator: office.texaswic.org
- Program information: texaswic.org
- Federal prescreening tool: fns.usda.gov/wic/eligibility-tool
Because Texas WIC is delivered through local agencies, clinic hours, walk-in availability, and virtual appointment options vary by location. Larger metro areas tend to have more clinics and more scheduling flexibility, while rural counties may hold WIC clinic days on a set weekly schedule.
If you want to see what else your household might qualify for, including Texas Medicaid, CHIP, SNAP, and LIHEAP, our Texas benefits guide covers income limits and application steps for each program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for Texas WIC entirely online?
You can start the pre-application online at texaswic.org/apply, but full enrollment requires a certification appointment, either in person or virtual, where a nutritionist reviews your documents and completes required health screenings. The online step just gets your case started and connects you to a local clinic.
Do I need to be a US citizen to get WIC in Texas?
No. WIC has no citizenship or immigration status requirement. Any pregnant woman, new mother, infant, or child under 5 who meets the income and Texas residency rules can apply, regardless of immigration status.
How long does WIC approval take in Texas?
Many applicants receive a determination and a loaded WIC card at the certification appointment itself. The main wait is for the appointment to be scheduled after you submit your online pre-application or call, which can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks depending on how busy the local clinic is. Apply as early in pregnancy as possible.
Can I get WIC if I already have SNAP or Medicaid in Texas?
Yes. Receiving Texas Medicaid, SNAP, or TANF automatically satisfies the income eligibility requirement for WIC. You still complete the categorical and nutritional risk portions of the application, but you skip separate income verification.
What if my income is slightly over the WIC limit?
Apply anyway. Household size counts an unborn baby during pregnancy, which raises the limit, and how WIC counts income can differ from what you assume. A WIC staff member can review your actual numbers, and there is no cost or downside to applying.
Does Texas WIC cover infant formula?
Yes. Infants who are partially or fully formula-fed receive infant formula through WIC. The brand and amount follow the state's formula contract and the infant's age, and specialty formulas can be approved with documentation from a health care provider.
Can a father or grandparent apply for a child's WIC benefits in Texas?
Yes. Any parent, guardian, foster parent, or primary caregiver can start and manage WIC benefits for an eligible infant or child under 5, whether or not they are applying for benefits themselves.
Is there a cost to apply for or use WIC in Texas?
No. WIC is a free federal nutrition program. There is no application fee, no charge for appointments, and no repayment required for benefits received.
