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WIC is one of the most underused programmes in the United States, largely because people assume the income limit is much lower than it is. If you are pregnant or have a child under five, it takes half an hour to find out, and the answer is worth several hundred dollars a month to many households.
Key figures
- 185 percent WIC income ceiling against federal poverty guidelines
- age five WIC's age cutoff for children
Who it is for
The federal regulation that governs WIC certification covers pregnant women, postpartum and breastfeeding women, infants, and children up to age 5, assessed as being at nutritional risk.
Note the age range. It is not only for newborns, and it is not only for the person who gave birth.
The income test
To qualify on income, gross household income must be at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, as adjusted. The USDA publishes the table by family size every year in the Federal Register; the current one runs from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027.
There is also a shortcut that many people miss. The regulation calls it adjunct or automatic income eligibility: someone certified for SNAP, TANF or Medicaid is income eligible for WIC, and is not subject to the income limit at all. If your child is on Medicaid, the income question is already answered.
The single most common reason families do not apply is assuming they earn too much. The table is published every year by the USDA and updated with inflation, and the threshold is higher than most people expect.
The other two requirements
- Residency. You apply in the state where you live.
- Nutritional risk. A health professional must determine that you or your child is at nutritional risk. This is assessed at the certification appointment and covers a wide range of medical and dietary conditions, including some that are routine in pregnancy and infancy.
What you actually get
WIC provides supplemental foods, nutrition education and counselling, breastfeeding support, and referrals to health and social services. For families using formula, the infant formula benefit is the largest single line, and for families breastfeeding, the food package is larger and support is part of the programme.
Benefits are loaded onto a card and spent on the specific approved items, which is why a WIC shopping trip works differently from a normal one.
How to apply
- Find your state or tribal WIC agency. Every state runs its own, and a search for the state name plus WIC finds it.
- Call or apply online for a certification appointment. Many states now do the first appointment remotely.
- Bring proof of identity, address and income, or your Medicaid or SNAP letter.
- Bring the child, because measurements and a brief health screening are part of the appointment.
For feeding purchases outside the benefit, the monthly diapers and formula budget separates household costs. The infant formula differences guide explains why product choice should follow the baby’s feeding requirements.
Questions people ask
What is the income limit for WIC?
185 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, updated each year by the USDA and published in the Federal Register. Certification for SNAP, TANF or Medicaid makes you income eligible regardless of that limit.
Can I get WIC if I work?
Yes. WIC is not limited to households without earnings, and the income threshold covers many working families.
Does WIC cover formula?
Yes. Infant formula is part of the food package for infants who are not exclusively breastfed, and it is the largest single benefit for many families.
Does using WIC affect immigration status?
WIC is not considered in public charge determinations. If you have concerns about your particular situation, ask an immigration attorney rather than relying on a web page.
Where these figures come from
- WIC: 2026/2027 Income Eligibility Guidelines Federal Register, USDA Food and Nutrition Service · federalregister.gov
- 7 CFR 246.7, Certification of participants Electronic Code of Federal Regulations · ecfr.gov
Figures last checked September 2026.
