WIC Benefits: Eligibility, Foods, How to Apply

What Is WIC?

WIC stands for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. The USDA Food and Nutrition Service runs the program, and about 6.7 million people participate each month. That includes roughly 41% of all infants born in the United States.

WIC provides specific healthy foods at no cost through an eWIC card, which works like a debit card at grocery stores and farmers markets. The program also offers one-on-one nutrition education, breastfeeding support from trained counselors, and referrals to health care and other social services.

The program serves five categories of people: pregnant women, women who recently gave birth (up to six months postpartum), breastfeeding mothers (up to the infant's first birthday), infants under one year old, and children under age five. Fathers, grandparents, guardians, and other caregivers can apply on behalf of eligible children.

WIC is different from SNAP (food stamps). SNAP provides a monthly dollar amount you can spend on almost any grocery item. WIC provides specific food packages tailored to each participant's nutritional needs. Many families receive both WIC and SNAP at the same time because the programs cover different foods.

Who Qualifies for WIC?

To qualify for WIC, you must meet two requirements: you must fall into one of the eligible categories (pregnant, postpartum, breastfeeding, infant, or child under five), and your household income must be at or below 185% of the federal poverty level.

WIC Income Limits (2025-2026)

Source: USDA FNS WIC Income Eligibility Guidelines, effective July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.

These income limits are higher than many other federal programs. A family of four earning up to $59,476 per year qualifies. Compare that to SNAP, where the gross income limit for a family of four is $3,483 per month ($41,796 per year) in most states.

Automatic (Adjunctive) Eligibility

You automatically meet the income requirement if anyone in your household already receives SNAP, Medicaid, or TANF benefits. You still need to be in an eligible category (pregnant, postpartum, breastfeeding, or have a child under five), but you skip the income verification step entirely.

This matters because many families already enrolled in one of those programs do not realize they can get WIC too. If you receive Medicaid for your pregnancy or your child's health coverage, you are income-eligible for WIC right away.

Who Counts as a WIC Participant?

WIC benefits go to individual participants within a household, not to the household as a whole. Each eligible person in your family gets their own food package. A pregnant mother with a two-year-old and a newborn would have three separate WIC participants, each receiving foods matched to their age and nutritional needs.

Eligible participants include:

• Pregnant women (during pregnancy and up to six weeks after delivery)
• Postpartum women (up to six months after delivery if not breastfeeding)
• Breastfeeding women (up to the infant's first birthday)
• Infants from birth to their first birthday
• Children from age one through their fifth birthday

Citizenship and Residency

WIC does not require U.S. citizenship. Legal immigrants, undocumented immigrants, refugees, and asylees can all receive WIC benefits. The program has no immigration status requirement. WIC is also not considered a public benefit under the public charge rule, so receiving WIC will not affect any immigration application.

You must live in the state where you apply. Most states require proof of residency, such as a utility bill, lease, or mail with your address.

Nutritional Risk Assessment

Every WIC applicant receives a health screening at their local WIC office. A health professional checks for nutritional risk factors like anemia, being underweight or overweight, a history of poor pregnancy outcomes, or an inadequate diet. Almost all applicants who meet the income and category requirements also meet the nutritional risk standard, so this screening rarely disqualifies anyone.

You can use our free screener to check if you qualify for WIC and other programs in about five minutes.

How Much Can You Get?

WIC does not give you a dollar amount to spend freely. Instead, each participant receives a monthly food package with specific items and quantities based on their category. The food packages are designed around the latest nutrition science to fill gaps in the diets of pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and young children.

WIC Food Packages by Category

Source: USDA FNS WIC Food Packages. Fruit and vegetable cash-value benefit amounts for FY 2025.

The fruits and vegetables column shows the monthly cash-value benefit (CVB) amount. This is a specific dollar amount loaded onto your eWIC card that you can spend on any fresh, frozen, canned, or dried fruits and vegetables. The USDA revised the WIC food packages in April 2024 to permanently increase fruit and vegetable amounts and add more food options.

Estimated Total Value

The total value of a WIC food package ranges from about $50 to $75 per participant per month, depending on the category and local food prices. A family with a pregnant mother and two children under five could receive roughly $150 to $225 in food benefits each month, or $1,800 to $2,700 per year.

Infant formula alone can cost families $100 to $200 per month out of pocket. WIC covers the full cost of formula for infants who are not breastfeeding, making it one of the most valuable benefits the program offers.

How the eWIC Card Works

Your WIC benefits load onto an eWIC card at the start of each benefit period (usually monthly). You shop at any WIC-approved grocery store or farmers market, select WIC-eligible items, and pay with the card at checkout. The card only works for approved items and approved quantities. If you try to buy something not on your food package, the register will flag it.

Most states now use electronic cards rather than paper vouchers. You can check your remaining balance on the card, through a state app, or by calling your local WIC office.

How to Apply for WIC

WIC applications are handled by local WIC clinics, which are usually run by county health departments, hospitals, or community organizations. The process involves more steps than SNAP or Medicaid because WIC requires an in-person or virtual health screening.

Step 1: Check your eligibility

Use our free eligibility screener or review the income limits above. You need to be pregnant, postpartum, breastfeeding, or have a child under five.

Step 2: Find your local WIC office

Every state runs its own WIC program. Contact your state WIC agency to find the closest clinic:

• California: MyFamily WIC or call (888) 278-6455
• Texas: TexasWIC.org or call 1-800-942-3678
• New York: NY WIC or call 1-800-522-5006

You can also find your local WIC office through the USDA WIC directory on the FNS website.

Step 3: Gather your documents

Bring the following to your WIC appointment:

• Proof of identity (driver's license, state ID, birth certificate)
• Proof of income (pay stubs, tax return, or proof of SNAP/Medicaid/TANF enrollment)
• Proof of residency (utility bill, lease, or mail with your address)
• Proof of pregnancy (if applying as a pregnant woman)
• Child's birth certificate or immunization records (if applying for a child)

Step 4: Attend your WIC appointment

At the appointment, a WIC staff member will verify your identity, income, and residency. A health professional will conduct a brief nutritional assessment, which may include measuring height and weight, checking iron levels with a finger prick, and asking about your diet.

Most appointments take 30 to 60 minutes. Many WIC offices now offer virtual appointments for recertification visits.

Step 5: Receive your benefits

If approved, you receive your eWIC card at the appointment or shortly after by mail. Benefits are available right away. You will also get your first food package prescription, which lists the specific foods and quantities you can buy.

WIC certification periods vary by category. Pregnant women are certified through the end of their pregnancy and six weeks postpartum. Infants are certified up to their first birthday. Children are certified in one-year periods until they turn five.

WIC and Other Programs

WIC works alongside several other programs. Receiving WIC does not reduce your benefits from other programs, and qualifying for one often means you qualify for others.

• SNAP (Food Stamps): SNAP covers a broader range of groceries with a monthly dollar benefit. WIC provides specific nutritious foods. You can use both at the same time, and SNAP enrollment automatically qualifies you for WIC's income test.
• Medicaid: Most pregnant women and children who receive Medicaid also qualify for WIC. Medicaid enrollment counts as automatic income eligibility for WIC.
• TANF: Families receiving TANF cash assistance are automatically income-eligible for WIC.
• ACA Health Insurance: Families above Medicaid limits may qualify for subsidized health coverage through the ACA marketplace while also qualifying for WIC.
• Free and reduced school meals: Children receiving WIC who enter school may qualify for free or reduced-price meals. Check your state's benefits page for details.

Our free screener checks WIC and all of these programs at once.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can fathers or grandparents apply for WIC?

Yes. Any parent, guardian, or caretaker can apply for WIC on behalf of an eligible infant or child under five. The income and residency requirements are based on the household where the child lives. Fathers, grandparents, legal guardians, and other caretakers can all bring a child to a WIC appointment and receive benefits for that child.

Does WIC affect my immigration status?

No. WIC is not considered a public benefit under the public charge rule. Receiving WIC will not hurt your green card application or any other immigration case. WIC does not require U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status. Anyone who meets the category, income, and residency requirements can apply, regardless of immigration status.

Can I get WIC and SNAP at the same time?

Yes. WIC and SNAP are separate programs that provide different benefits. SNAP gives you a monthly dollar amount for general groceries. WIC gives you specific nutritious foods. There is no rule against receiving both. In fact, receiving SNAP automatically qualifies you for WIC's income requirement.

How long do WIC benefits last?

It depends on your category. Pregnant women receive benefits through pregnancy and up to six weeks after delivery. Postpartum women who are not breastfeeding receive benefits for up to six months after delivery. Breastfeeding mothers receive benefits until the infant's first birthday. Infants are covered from birth to age one. Children are certified in one-year periods and can receive benefits until their fifth birthday.

What foods can I buy with WIC?

WIC food packages include milk, eggs, cheese, yogurt, whole wheat bread, cereal, beans or peanut butter, juice, canned fish (for pregnant and breastfeeding women), and a monthly cash-value benefit for fruits and vegetables. Infant packages include formula, infant cereal, and infant fruits and vegetables. Each state publishes a list of approved brands and products. Your WIC office will give you a food list when you enroll.

Do I need to go to a WIC office in person?

For your first appointment, most states require an in-person visit so staff can complete the health screening (height, weight, and blood iron check). After that, many states allow phone or video appointments for recertification. Some states began offering virtual first appointments during the COVID-19 pandemic and have continued the option. Contact your local WIC office to ask about virtual appointments in your area.

What happens if my income changes while I am on WIC?

WIC does not require you to report income changes between certification periods. If your income goes up after you are approved, you keep your benefits until your next recertification date. At recertification, your income is checked again. If it now exceeds 185% of the federal poverty level and you are not receiving SNAP, Medicaid, or TANF, you would no longer qualify.

Can I use WIC benefits at farmers markets?

Yes. Many farmers markets across the country accept eWIC cards. Some states also run the WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP), which gives WIC participants extra coupons to spend at farmers markets during the growing season. These coupons are in addition to your regular WIC benefits. Ask your local WIC office if your state offers the farmers market program.