WIC Income Limits 2026-2027: Eligibility Tables for All 50 States & How to Apply

WIC, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, is the federal nutrition program for pregnant and postpartum women, breastfeeding mothers, infants, and children up to their fifth birthday. The 2026-2027 income guidelines published by USDA on April 29, 2026 set the cap at $61,050 for a family of four in the 48 contiguous states (185 percent of the federal poverty line).

Two things make WIC different from SNAP or other food programs. First, it serves a specific demographic (women, infants, and children, not adults outside that window). Second, it requires a free nutritional assessment by WIC staff in addition to the income check. This guide walks through the 2026-27 income tables for all three jurisdictions (contiguous 48, Alaska, and Hawaii), categorical eligibility, the nutrition assessment step, and how to apply.

Who is eligible for WIC?

WIC is restricted to four groups: women who are currently pregnant, women up to 6 months after the end of a pregnancy (postpartum), women breastfeeding an infant up to the infant’s first birthday, infants up to age 1, and children up to their fifth birthday. Anyone outside these four categories is not eligible, no matter how low their income.

Foster parents, grandparents, single fathers, and other caregivers can apply on behalf of an eligible infant or child in their care. The income test is based on the household where the infant or child lives, not on the biological parents if they live elsewhere.

What are the 2026-2027 WIC income limits?

WIC income limits are set at 185 percent of the federal poverty guidelines and are revised each year by USDA. The current cycle (effective July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027) was published April 29, 2026. The annual numbers below show the maximum household income to qualify.

2026-27 income limits, 48 states, DC, Guam, and Territories

Household size	Annual	Monthly	Weekly
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

2026-27 income limits, Alaska

Household size	Annual	Monthly
1	$36,908	$3,076
2	$50,043	$4,171
3	$63,178	$5,265
4	$76,313	$6,360
8	$128,853	$10,738

2026-27 income limits, Hawaii

Household size	Annual	Monthly
1	$33,966	$2,831
2	$46,047	$3,838
3	$58,127	$4,844
4	$70,208	$5,851
8	$118,530	$9,878

What is categorical eligibility for WIC?

If you or any child in your care already receives Medicaid, SNAP, or TANF, you are automatically considered income eligible for WIC and can skip the income calculation entirely. This is called categorical eligibility, and it is the fastest path to a WIC enrollment appointment because the income verification is already on file with another agency.

Bringing proof of Medicaid, SNAP, or TANF (an award letter, benefits card, or recent recertification notice) to your WIC appointment lets the WIC clinic confirm categorical eligibility on the spot. You still must complete the nutrition assessment step, but the income paperwork is done.

What counts as income for WIC?

WIC counts pre-tax income (gross income before any deductions) from all household members. Sources that count include wages and tips, Social Security benefits, child support and alimony, unemployment benefits, worker’s compensation, retirement payments, and most disability benefits.

Sources that do not count include loans, AmeriCorps stipends, and several military allowances: Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), combat pay, Family Subsistence Supplemental Allowance (FSSA), Outside Continental United States Cost of Living Allowance (OCONUS COLA), Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA), and the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund. Non-cash assistance (like SNAP benefits themselves) also does not count toward the WIC income test.

How is household size counted for WIC?

Your WIC household is everyone you live with and share income and expenses with. This includes children, unrelated roommates, students temporarily away at college, and military service members who are away on active duty if they normally live with you.

If someone in the household is pregnant, you can add one to the household size for each expected birth. A pregnant single woman counts as a household of two for the income calculation, and a pregnant married woman in a two-person household counts as a household of three. This is one of the most generous features of WIC income counting because it widens eligibility for first-time mothers.

What is the WIC nutrition assessment?

Every WIC applicant must complete a free, brief health and nutrition assessment at the WIC clinic before benefits begin. The assessment is not a medical exam; it is a short interview plus a few quick measurements (height, weight, and a finger-stick blood test for iron level). WIC staff use the results to design a benefit package tailored to your specific nutritional needs.

The assessment also includes counseling on healthy eating during pregnancy, breastfeeding support if you choose, infant feeding guidance, and referrals to other services like Medicaid, SNAP, immunizations, dental care, and substance abuse treatment if applicable. The whole appointment usually takes 30 to 60 minutes.

How do you apply for WIC?

WIC is administered by state agencies, federally recognized tribes, and U.S. territories, so the application process varies by location. The fastest first step is the USDA WIC Eligibility Tool at fns.usda.gov/wic/eligibility-tool, which screens your basic eligibility in a few minutes and lists the WIC agency for your area.

After eligibility screening, you contact your local WIC clinic to schedule an enrollment appointment. The appointment typically requires proof of identity (driver’s license, state ID, or passport), proof of residency (utility bill or lease), proof of income for the past 30 days (pay stubs, tax return, or unemployment statement), and the infant or child if applying for them.

What are WIC benefits worth?

WIC participants receive an electronic benefit transfer (eWIC) card preloaded each month with specific dollar amounts assigned to specific food categories. The package is tailored to the participant: pregnant women, postpartum women, breastfeeding women, infants, and children each have a different food package designed by USDA dietitians.

The cash value benefit (CVB) for fruits and vegetables in fiscal year 2026 is $26 per month for children, $47 per month for pregnant or partially breastfeeding women, and $52 per month for fully breastfeeding women. Beyond fruits and vegetables, WIC packages provide infant formula or breastfeeding support, whole grains, dairy, eggs, peanut butter or beans, juice, and other nutrient-rich foods.

Can I get WIC and SNAP at the same time?

Yes. WIC and SNAP are independent programs and do not conflict. Many WIC families also receive SNAP, and receiving SNAP makes you categorically eligible for WIC. The WIC food package is designed to complement SNAP rather than duplicate it: WIC focuses on specific high-nutrition foods (infant formula, fortified cereals, dairy, fruits and vegetables) while SNAP covers broader grocery needs.

Combining WIC, SNAP, and the school meal programs (free or reduced-price breakfast, lunch, and summer meals) creates a layered safety net for families with young children. A WIC nutritionist can refer you to all three plus other community resources during your first appointment.