WIC is a federal program that gives monthly food benefits to pregnant people, new parents, and young children in households below certain income limits

WIC stands for Women, Infants, and Children. It is run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture but administered by your state, so the exact rules, benefit amounts, and process process vary by location. The program provides a monthly benefit card (similar to a debit card) that you use to buy specific foods at participating grocery stores — not all foods, and not all stores.

You do not receive cash. The card only works for foods WIC covers: infant formula, baby food, milk, cheese, eggs, beans, peanut butter, whole grain bread, and certain fruits and vegetables. The program also connects you with nutrition education and breastfeeding support at no cost.

WIC is separate from SNAP (food stamps). You can receive both at the same time if you meet the income requirements for each. Many families use WIC for young children and SNAP for the rest of their household groceries.

Key Takeaways

  • WIC is available to pregnant people, people who recently gave birth, breastfeeding parents, and children under age 5 in households earning up to 185% of the federal poverty line (roughly $50,000 for a family of four, though this varies by state).
  • You must explore through your state or local WIC office, not online through a federal website, and you will need proof of income, residency, and your child's age or pregnancy status.
  • The benefit card works only at authorized grocery stores and only for specific foods — you cannot use it for prepared foods, non-food items, or stores that do not participate in WIC.
  • After you are approved, you attend a nutrition appointment where a counselor explains the program and may refer you to breastfeeding support or other services.
  • Benefits are issued monthly and do not roll over, so you must use them within the month or they are lost.

Income and household size limits for WIC may be able to access

WIC uses a federal income threshold of 185% of the poverty line. For 2024, this means a household of four earning roughly $50,000 per year or less may be within the limit, but the exact cutoff varies by state and changes annually. Some states set their own limits lower than 185%, so you need to check your specific state's number.

Income is counted as gross income — before taxes are taken out. If you receive unemployment, Social Security, child support, or other regular payments, those count toward your household income. Self-employment income counts as well. Most WIC offices will tell you over the phone whether your household size and income likely may have access to, so you can call before gathering documents.

If your income is above the limit but you receive SNAP, Medicaid, or TANF (Temporary information for Needy Families), you are automatically income-may be able to access for WIC regardless of your actual earnings. This is called "categorical may be able to access" and is the fastest path if you already receive one of those benefits.

Who can receive WIC benefits

WIC covers pregnant people (at any point in pregnancy), people up to six months after giving birth (whether or not they are breastfeeding), breastfeeding parents up to one year after birth, and children from birth through age 4. The child must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, though some states accept other immigration statuses — ask your local WIC office.

You do not have to be the biological parent to explore on behalf of a child. Grandparents, foster parents, and legal guardians can explore if they live with the child and meet the income requirement. Each person in the household who is may be able to access (for example, a pregnant person and a young child) gets their own benefit card and their own monthly allowance.

Once a child turns 5, they are no longer may be able to access for WIC. At that point, they may be may be able to access for SNAP if the household still meets the income limit.

What documents you need to bring to explore

WIC offices require proof of three things: identity, residency, and the person's age or pregnancy status. Bring a photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID card) for the adult explore. For residency, bring a recent utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or other document showing your name and current address — it usually needs to be from the last 60 days.

For a child, bring their birth certificate or other proof of age. For a pregnant person, bring a letter from a doctor or midwife stating the pregnancy and expected due date, or bring a recent ultrasound report. Some WIC offices will accept a verbal confirmation from your healthcare provider if you call them during your appointment.

Bring proof of income: recent pay stubs (usually the last 30 days), a tax return, a letter from your employer, or a benefits statement from SNAP, Medicaid, or unemployment. If you are self-employed or have irregular income, bring bank statements or tax documents showing your earnings. If you receive no income, bring a statement from your employer or a letter explaining your situation.

Call your local WIC office before you go in — they may ask for additional documents specific to your state, and some offices let you submit documents by mail or email to speed up the process.

How to find your local WIC office and explore

WIC is administered by each state, so there is no single national process. Start by searching "[your state] WIC office" or visiting your state's health department website. Most states have a WIC program page that lists local offices by county or region.

You can also call 211 (dial 2-1-1 from any phone) and ask for WIC in your area. The 211 service is free and will give you the phone number and address of the nearest office. Some states also have a statewide WIC hotline number on their health department website.

Call the office to ask about their current process process. Some offices accept walk-ins, some require an appointment, and some allow you to submit documents by mail or email and attend your nutrition appointment by phone or video. Wait times vary widely — some offices can see you within a week, others have a wait of several weeks, especially in urban areas.

When you call, ask whether you need to bring anything else specific to your state, whether they accept documents by mail, and what to expect at your appointment. If the office is far away or hard to reach, ask if there is a satellite location closer to you.

What happens after you are approved

Once your documents are reviewed and you are approved, you will receive a benefit card (called a WIC card or EBT card depending on your state). The card is loaded with your monthly benefit amount, which varies by household size and who is receiving benefits. A pregnant person, a breastfeeding parent, and a child under 1 each receive different amounts.

Before you can use the card, you must attend a nutrition appointment with a WIC counselor. This appointment usually lasts 30 to 60 minutes. The counselor explains which foods you can buy, how to use the card, and answers questions about nutrition and feeding. If you are breastfeeding or interested in breastfeeding, the counselor can refer you to a lactation consultant at no cost.

After the appointment, your card is activated and you can use it at any authorized WIC grocery store. You can find participating stores by searching your state's WIC website or asking at your local office. Large chains like Walmart and Kroger usually participate, but so do many smaller stores and some farmers markets.

You must recertify (reapply) every 12 months to keep your benefits. The office will send you a notice when it is time. If your household income or size changes, or if you move, contact your WIC office to update your information.

How WIC benefits work at the store

When you check out, tell the cashier you are paying with WIC. Swipe your card like a debit card. The register will show which items are WIC-approved and which are not. You can only buy the approved items with your WIC benefit — if you want to buy other groceries, you pay for those separately with cash or another card.

The WIC foods are specific. For example, you can buy whole wheat bread but not white bread, low-fat milk but not whole milk, and certain brands of infant formula but not others. The exact list varies by state. Ask the store manager or call your WIC office if you are unsure whether a specific item is covered.

Your monthly benefit does not roll over. If you do not use it by the end of the month, it is gone. Plan your shopping so you use your full benefit each month. Some families shop twice a month to spread out their purchases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I explore for WIC if I am not a U.S. citizen?

It depends on your state and immigration status. Most states require that the child or pregnant person be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, but some accept other statuses. Call your local WIC office and ask — they will tell you whether you are may be able to access without asking for immigration documents during the call.

What if I am over the income limit but my situation just changed?

If your income dropped recently (job loss, reduced hours, change in household), you may still be may be able to access. WIC offices sometimes use a shorter income-counting period (like the last 30 days) if your income is unstable. Call and explain your situation — they will tell you whether you may have access to based on your current circumstances.

Can I use my WIC card at farmers markets?

Some states allow WIC cards at authorized farmers markets, but not all. Check your state's WIC website or ask your local office. If your state does allow it, you will receive a separate card or vouchers for farmers market purchases, and the rules about which foods are covered may differ slightly.

What happens to my WIC benefits if I move to a different state?

Your benefits do not transfer. You must explore for WIC in your new state. Contact the WIC office in your new location and bring your documents. Some states process new applications faster than others, so explore as soon as you move to avoid a gap in benefits.

Do I have to breastfeed to receive WIC?

No. WIC is available to all pregnant people, all new parents (whether or not they breastfeed), and all children under 5 in may be able to access households. If you are not breastfeeding, you will receive a different benefit amount that covers infant formula and other foods instead.