WIC Eligibility by State
2026 income limits, who qualifies, and how to apply in all 50 states
WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) covers pregnant women, postpartum mothers, infants, and children under 5. The income limit is 185% of the federal poverty level — a family of 4 earning under $57,720/year typically qualifies. Pick your state to check exact income thresholds and get your state's application link.
Who Can Get WIC?
Women
- • Pregnant (any trimester)
- • Breastfeeding (up to 12 months postpartum)
- • Postpartum, not breastfeeding (up to 6 months)
Children
- • Infants under 12 months
- • Children ages 1 through 4
- • Must meet income and nutritional risk requirements
Income must be at or below 185% FPL. Exact WIC eligibility also requires a "nutritional risk" determination by a WIC certifier — almost all applicants who meet income guidelines qualify.
What WIC Provides
Monthly Food Benefits (EBT)
- • Infant formula (if not breastfeeding)
- • Milk, cheese, eggs
- • Fruits and vegetables ($11–$47/month voucher)
- • Whole grains (bread, cereal, oatmeal, tortillas)
- • Juice, peanut butter, dried beans
Services
- • Nutrition counseling at each visit
- • Breastfeeding support and peer counselors
- • Referrals to Medicaid, Head Start, SNAP
- • Health screenings for children
Food package contents are set by USDA FNS and are consistent across states. Specific brands accepted vary by state.
WIC Income Limits by State — All 50 States + DC
Click any state for the interactive eligibility checker with your exact income and family size. All limits are 185% FPL except Alaska and Hawaii, which use adjusted federal poverty guidelines.
Common Questions
Does WIC income limit change by state?
The threshold is 185% FPL — federal law, same in every state. But the FPL itself is higher in Alaska and Hawaii, so the dollar amounts are higher there. All other states and DC use the same base figures.
Is income gross or net?
Gross income before taxes. Include wages, self-employment, child support, alimony, and most regular cash income. Social Security, SSI, and SNAP are generally excluded.
What if my income is just over the limit?
Apply anyway. Many states have "adjunct eligibility" — if you receive Medicaid, SNAP, or TANF, you automatically meet WIC income requirements regardless of your dollar income. Ask your WIC clinic.
Can my whole family be on WIC?
Each eligible household member gets their own WIC certification. A pregnant woman and her infant are two separate certifications. A family with a pregnant mother and two children under 5 could have all three certified.
How long does WIC last?
Infants are certified for up to 12 months (re-certified as a child after their first birthday). Children are certified for 6-month periods up to age 5. Women are certified through pregnancy plus their postpartum period.