◢ Family program · Verified April 26, 2026
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
Free monthly food package, formula, breastfeeding support, and nutrition counseling for pregnant women, new mothers, and children under 5.
Monthly food package
Tailored
Includes formula, dairy, eggs, cereal, whole-grain bread, protein foods, plus a cash-value voucher for fruits and vegetables (USDA publishes current voucher amounts by participant category).
Reach
About 6.7 million participants per month (USDA FY2023 average)
Most-recent federal program data
Time to apply
Initial appointment is typically scheduled within 10 days
Cost: Free — no fees
◢ What this program does
WIC is a federal nutrition program specifically designed for pregnant and postpartum women, infants, and children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk. Unlike SNAP, WIC provides a specific food package — not general grocery money — tailored to the participant's life stage.
The program is funded by USDA and administered by 89 state, tribal, and territorial WIC agencies. Benefits are delivered on an EBT card (in all states as of 2020) and can be used at any WIC-authorized retailer for the specific approved foods.
Beyond food, WIC provides one-on-one nutrition counseling, breastfeeding support and pumps, referrals to other health and social services, and immunization screening. Many state WIC clinics co-locate with pediatric or OB/GYN services.
◢ Who qualifies
Eligibility at a glance
- Pregnant, postpartum (up to 6 months), or breastfeeding (up to 1 year), OR a parent/guardian of an infant or child under 5
- Income at or below 185% of the federal poverty level (USDA publishes current dollar limits by household size each year)
- Adjunctive eligibility: anyone in your household who receives SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid is automatically income-eligible for WIC
- Reside in the state where you apply (no minimum length of residency)
- At nutritional risk (anemia, underweight, dietary deficiency, etc.) — determined by a WIC clinic health screening, not self-reported
A note on eligibility: Final eligibility is determined by the agency administering this program — not by GrantsHubUSA. Confirm current rules with USDA Food and Nutrition Service — WIC or your state's office before applying.
◢ How to apply
The application path, step by step
- 1
Find your state's WIC contact
USDA maintains a state-by-state WIC directory. You can also call the National WIC Association at 202-232-5492 for help finding your local agency.
- 2
Schedule a WIC clinic appointment
WIC requires an in-person (or in some states, telehealth) initial visit for a health screening. The visit takes about an hour and includes a height/weight check, a blood test for iron, and a nutrition counseling session.
- 3
Bring required documents
You'll need: photo ID, proof of address (utility bill or lease), proof of income (pay stubs, benefits letters, or proof of SNAP/Medicaid enrollment), and the child or proof of pregnancy.
- 4
Receive your eWIC card
If approved, you'll get an EBT card pre-loaded with your monthly food package. Your nutritionist will explain exactly what foods you can buy and where.
- 5
Recertify periodically
Pregnant women and infants typically recertify every 6 months. Children recertify annually. Bring updated proof of income and the child to each recertification.
Apply through the official agency
USDA Food and Nutrition Service — WIC
◢ Quick facts
- Application time
- Initial appointment is typically scheduled within 10 days; eligibility decision the same day
- Cost to apply
- Free — no fees
- Administering agency
- USDA Food and Nutrition Service — WIC
- Last verified
- April 26, 2026
◢ Frequently asked
Common WIC questions
WIC provides specific foods — not general groceries. Standard packages include: infant formula, milk, cheese, yogurt, eggs, cereal, whole-grain bread or tortillas, peanut butter or beans, juice, fruits and vegetables (via cash-value voucher), and baby food. The exact list varies by participant category and state.
Yes — any parent, foster parent, or legal guardian of an eligible infant or child can apply for and receive WIC benefits on the child's behalf. The food benefits go to feeding the child, not the adult applicant.
Yes — WIC and SNAP are designed to work together. Receiving SNAP automatically makes your household income-eligible for WIC. Most WIC families also receive SNAP, and the food packages do not overlap.
WIC is not on the public charge list — receiving WIC will not affect a green card application or any other immigration benefit. WIC is available to lawfully-present non-citizens, and many state WIC programs serve undocumented mothers and citizen children without status questions.
◢ Primary sources
Where every claim comes from
Every fact on this page is verifiable against one of the primary sources below. Follow any link to confirm — that's our standing commitment.
- 01USDA — WIC Eligibility Requirements
www.fns.usda.gov/wic/wic-eligibility-requirements
- 02USDA — WIC State Agency Directory
www.fns.usda.gov/wic/contacts
- 03USDA — WIC Income Eligibility Guidelines
www.fns.usda.gov/wic/income-eligibility-guidelines
- 04National WIC Association
www.nwica.org/
Editorial fact-check
This program profile was verified on April 26, 2026.
Every eligibility rule, dollar amount, and deadline on this page was cross-checked against the primary sources listed above before publication, and will be re-verified within 30 days. Spotted something out of date? Tell us — corrections typically ship within 48 hours.
Not legal, tax, or financial advice. GrantsHubUSA is an independent editorial blog — we're not a government agency and we don't administer this program. Always confirm current eligibility, deadlines, and benefit amounts with the administering agency before applying. See our full disclaimer.
◢ Other programs
More aid you might qualify for.
Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8)
Federal rental subsidy that pays your landlord directly — covers the gap between 30% of your household income and fair market rent.
Varies
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Monthly food benefits delivered on an EBT card — the largest US anti-hunger program, formerly known as food stamps.
~$290/mo
Federal Pell Grant
Need-based federal grant for undergraduate college — up to $7,395 per year that you do not have to pay back.
$7,395/yr