WIC: Healthy food for moms, babies, and young kids.
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.
Reviewed by SubhaVerified
Benefit
Food package
Monthly foods plus a fruit and vegetable benefit
Appointment
10 to 20 days
10 days for high-priority applicants, 20 for others
Income limit
$61,050
Family of 4, July 2026 to June 2027
Cost to apply
Free
No fees of any kind
Figures on this page were last verified October 16, 2026. Amounts and rules change, so confirm them with USDA Food and Nutrition Administration: WIC before you apply.
What is WIC?
WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children) is USDA's targeted nutrition program for pregnant women, postpartum mothers up to six months, breastfeeding mothers up to one year, and children under age 5 who are at nutritional risk.
About 6.9 million people received WIC each month in FY2025, per USDA Food and Nutrition Administration data. Benefits are loaded on an eWIC card and include a specific food package (formula, milk, cheese, eggs, whole-grain bread, protein foods).
They also include a monthly Cash Value Benefit for fruits and vegetables. From October 1, 2026, it is $27 for children ages 1 to 4, $48 for pregnant and postpartum participants, and $53 for fully or mostly breastfeeding participants.
Income eligibility runs to 185 percent of the federal poverty level; anyone in a household receiving SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid is adjunctively eligible. Schedule an appointment at your local WIC clinic through the USDA FNA state directory.
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 run by 88 state, tribal, and territorial WIC agencies. Benefits are delivered on an eWIC card (federal law required electronic benefits by October 1, 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.
In April 2024, USDA finalized the first substantive update to WIC food packages in 15 years, effective June 17, 2024. The new packages made the larger fruit and vegetable benefit permanent, added more whole grains and seafood, expanded plant-based protein choices, and reduced juice amounts.
State WIC agencies had until April 20, 2026 to put most of the changes in place.
Which mothers, babies and children WIC serves
- Pregnant, postpartum (up to 6 months), or breastfeeding (up to 1 year), OR a parent/guardian of an infant or child under 5
- Household income at or below 185% of the federal poverty level. Under WIC's July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027 guidelines, a 4-person household in the 48 states and DC earning up to $61,050 in annual gross income qualifies. USDA republishes state-specific guidelines each July 1; check the FNA WIC eligibility tool for the current figure for your household size and state
- 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 free WIC clinic health screening, not self-reported
Only the agency that runs the program can decide eligibility.
What a WIC food package covers
Monthly food package + Cash Value Benefit
Varies
About 6.9 million participants per month (USDA Food and Nutrition Administration; FY2025 average)
What the amount depends on
Includes formula, dairy, eggs, cereal, whole-grain bread, protein foods (peanut butter, beans, canned fish), plus a monthly Cash Value Benefit (CVB) for fruits and vegetables.
From October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027, the CVB is $27 a month for children ages 1 to 4, $48 for pregnant and postpartum participants, and $53 for fully or mostly breastfeeding participants (USDA WIC Policy Memorandum #2026-6).
Infants mainly receive formula and baby food, though some infants 6 to 11 months can get $11 or $22 in place of jarred fruits and vegetables. Unused benefits do not carry over.
Getting your first WIC appointment
- 01
Find your state's WIC contact
USDA maintains a state-by-state WIC directory. You can also use the USDA WIC eligibility tool to find your local agency.
- 02
Schedule a WIC clinic appointment
WIC requires an in-person (or in some states, telehealth) initial visit for a health screening. The visit usually includes a height and weight check, a blood test for iron, and a nutrition counseling session.
- 03
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.
- 04
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.
- 05
Recertify periodically
Pregnant women are certified through about 6 weeks after the birth. Infants and children are usually recertified about every 6 months, though many states certify for up to a year. Bring updated proof of income and the child to each recertification.
Start with the official source
USDA Food and Nutrition Administration: WIC
WIC questions from new parents
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. Many WIC families also receive SNAP, and the two benefits work side by side.
It can. The public charge rules changed in 2026: DHS rescinded the 2022 rule, and for benefits received on or after September 18, 2026, DHS says it will consider any means-tested public benefit when someone applies for a green card.
Many groups are exempt, including refugees, asylees, and T or U visa holders, so if you or a family member has an immigration case, talk to an immigration attorney or accredited legal aid group before applying.
USDA finalized a major WIC food package update in April 2024 (effective June 17, 2024).
Key changes: the larger monthly Cash Value Benefit for fruits and vegetables was made permanent (from October 1, 2026: $27 for children, $48 for pregnant and postpartum participants, $53 for breastfeeding participants).
Also, canned fish was added for children, juice was cut to 64 fluid ounces a month, and states may offer more plant-based options. State agencies had until April 20, 2026 to put the required changes in place.
WIC uses 185% of the federal poverty level. USDA publishes new state-specific guidelines each July 1. Under the July 2026 to June 2027 guidelines (48 states + DC), a household of 4 qualifies with up to $61,050 in annual gross income; smaller and larger households scale proportionally.
Alaska and Hawaii use higher thresholds. If your household receives SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid, you are automatically income-eligible without needing to meet the dollar limit separately. Check the USDA FNA WIC eligibility tool for the exact figure for your household size and state.
Sources & further reading
- USDA FNA, WIC Eligibility Requirements (updated September 16, 2026)
- USDA FNA, WIC Benefits and Services
- USDA FNA, WIC Contacts and State Agency Directory
- USDA FNA, WIC Eligibility Tool (household income + state lookup)
- USDA Final Rule: Revisions to WIC Food Packages (April 2024, effective June 17, 2024)
- USDA FNA, WIC Income Eligibility Guidelines 2026-2027 (effective July 1, 2026)
- USDA WIC Policy Memorandum #2026-6: FY2027 Cash-Value Benefit Amounts
- USDA FNA, About WIC (88 WIC agencies)
- eCFR: 7 CFR 246.7, WIC certification of participants
- National WIC Association
Use official sources to confirm current requirements and benefit amounts.
Reviewed by Subha
Every rule and figure here was checked against the sources above on October 16, 2026. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
Not legal, tax, or financial advice. GrantsHubUSA is an independent editorial site. We are not a government agency and we do not run this program. See our full disclaimer.
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