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

WIC benefits can transfer between states. Before moving, request a Verification of Certification (VOC) document from your local clinic to ensure uninterrupted benefits when enrolling at your new state's WIC office.

Can I use WIC benefits to buy groceries online?

Online WIC shopping is currently expanding across multiple states in partnership with major retailers. Check with your state's agency or visit your eWIC mobile app to see authorized online pickup and delivery locations.

What foods are provided in the WIC food package?

WIC packages include milk, yogurt, cheese, eggs, iron-fortified cereals, 100% juice, whole-wheat bread, brown rice, tortillas, canned beans, peanut butter, infant formula, and substantial monthly cash vouchers for fresh fruits and vegetables.

Special Supplemental Nutrition Program

WIC • Women, Infants, and Children Program

Q: Can working families receive WIC benefits?

Yes, many working families qualify for WIC. The income limit is set at 185% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, which is significantly higher than SNAP income limits, allowing millions of employed parents to receive nutrition support.

Essential nutrition support, monthly food packages, one-on-one counseling, breastfeeding assistance, and healthcare referrals for mothers, infants, and young children.

Find Your State WIC Portal View Income Limits (185% FPL)

6.8 Million+

Mothers & Children

Up to Age 5

Eligible Children

185% FPL

Higher Income Cap

Mother and young child receiving nutritious food assistance through the WIC program

Healthy Starts for Families Nutritious food • Clinical care • Breastfeeding guidance

Targeted Families

Who is Eligible to Apply for WIC?

WIC is specifically designed for growing families during critical developmental stages, from conception through a child’s fifth birthday.

Pregnant Women

During Pregnancy & 6 Weeks Postpartum

Healthy prenatal food packages, vitamin counseling, and early clinical screening to ensure strong fetal development and mother wellness.

Prenatal Support

Breastfeeding Mothers

Up to Baby’s 1st Birthday

Enhanced food packages (extra produce, cheese, fish), certified lactation consultants, peer counselors, and free breast pump loans.

Full Year Coverage

Postpartum Women

Up to 6 Months After Delivery

Nutrition packages and postpartum wellness guidance for mothers who are formula-feeding or have recently completed pregnancy.

Post-Birth Care

Infants & Children

Birth Through 5th Birthday

Iron-fortified formula, infant cereals, baby purees, and age-tailored grocery packages to fuel healthy cognitive and physical growth.

Up to Age 5

Fathers, Grandparents, Foster Parents & Guardians Are Welcome!

You do not need to be a mother to apply for WIC. Fathers, grandparents, foster parents, and other legal guardians caring for an infant or young child under 5 can apply on the child’s behalf and receive benefits.

Income Guidelines

WIC Income Eligibility Guidelines (185% FPL)

WIC sets income limits at 185% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines — significantly higher than SNAP — meaning millions of employed families fully qualify.

2025–2026 WIC Income Limits

185% Federal Poverty Level

Household Size	Monthly Gross Income	Annual Gross Income
1 Person	$2,832 / mo	$33,984 / yr
2 People (Mom + Baby)	$3,834 / mo	$46,008 / yr
3 People	$4,836 / mo	$58,032 / yr
4 People (Family of 4)	$5,838 / mo	$70,056 / yr
5 People	$6,840 / mo	$82,080 / yr
6 People	$7,842 / mo	$94,104 / yr
7 People	$8,844 / mo	$106,128 / yr
8 People	$9,846 / mo	$118,152 / yr

Note: A pregnant woman counts as two household members. For households over 8, add approximately $1,002/month per additional member. Higher income limits apply in Alaska and Hawaii.

Automatic (Adjunctive) Eligibility

If you, your child, or a family member already receives Medicaid, SNAP (Food Stamps), or TANF, you automatically meet the WIC income requirement!

State Residency

You must reside in the state, territory, or tribal area where you submit your application. There is no minimum length of residency required to qualify.

Nutritional Risk Determination

A health professional at the WIC clinic conducts a simple, free checkup (height, weight, hemoglobin/iron test, and dietary questions) to determine nutritional need.

Program Offerings

What WIC Provides for Growing Families

WIC is more than just grocery vouchers — it provides an integrated circle of nutrition education, medical screenings, and maternal care.

Healthy Foods & eWIC

Monthly electronic benefits loaded onto an eWIC card for wholesome groceries:

Fresh fruits & vegetables (cash voucher)
Milk, yogurt, cheese & eggs
100% whole grains, breads & oats
Iron-fortified cereals & juice
Peanut butter, beans & canned fish
Infant formula & baby food jars

Nutrition Counseling

Expert guidance tailored to your family’s specific health goals and dietary traditions:

One-on-one sessions with dietitians
Budget-friendly healthy meal planning
Picky eater and growth milestone tips
Prenatal and infant nutrition guides
Cooking classes & healthy recipes

Breastfeeding Support

Comprehensive nursing care to give babies the best possible nutritional start in life:

International Board Certified Lactation Consultants
One-on-one peer counselor matching
Free hospital-grade breast pump loans
Enhanced food packages for nursing moms
24/7 warmline advice & mother groups

Healthcare Referrals

Direct connections to essential medical and community programs:

Pediatrician & prenatal physician care
Childhood immunization tracking
Low-cost pediatric dental services
Medicaid & CHIP enrollment help
Early childhood community programs

Application Process

4 Simple Steps to Apply for WIC

Getting started with WIC is simple. Follow these steps to prepare your paperwork and schedule your appointment.

Check Eligibility

Review your household size against the 185% FPL chart or check if you are automatically eligible through Medicaid or SNAP.

Gather Documents

Collect photo ID, proof of income (pay stubs or W-2), proof of residency (utility bill or lease), and child immunization records.

Book Clinic Appointment

Contact your local state WIC agency using our directory below. Many states also offer quick online pre-application portals.

Attend & Receive eWIC

Complete a free, quick health check. If approved, you leave with an active eWIC card and can shop for groceries immediately!

Interactive Directory

Official State WIC Application Portals

Each state administers WIC through its Department of Health. Search or filter below to find your official state program website.

Showing 51 of 51 state portals

No Matching WIC Portals Found

We couldn't find any state portal matching your search. Please double-check your spelling or reset filters.

Program Extensions

Special WIC Initiatives & Tribal Programs

Learn about additional WIC benefits including local farmers market vouchers, Indigenous tribal nation administration, and language services.

Farmers Market Program (FMNP)

Provides participating mothers and children with extra coupon booklets to purchase locally grown fresh fruits, vegetables, and culinary herbs at authorized farm stands.

Learn About FMNP Vouchers

32 Tribal Organizations (ITOs)

32 Native American Indian Tribal Organizations administer sovereign WIC programs, including the Navajo Nation, Cherokee Nation, and Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians.

View Tribal Organizations

Multilingual Clinic Access

WIC clinics provide educational materials, counseling, and appointments in Spanish and over 50 languages to ensure every family has access to nutritional care.

Explore WICWorks Resources

Clear Answers

Frequently Asked Questions About WIC

Straightforward guidance regarding income qualification, application procedures, caregiver eligibility, and using benefits.

Can working families receive WIC benefits?

Yes! A large percentage of families enrolled in WIC are actively employed. WIC income eligibility is set at 185% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines — substantially higher than the SNAP threshold — allowing working parents facing housing or child care expenses to qualify.

Do I need to be receiving Medicaid or SNAP to qualify for WIC?

No, you do not need other benefits to qualify. However, if you or your family members already receive Medicaid, SNAP (Food Stamps), or TANF, you are automatically income-eligible for WIC (adjunctive eligibility) without needing to verify income documentation.

Can fathers, grandparents, and foster parents apply for children?

Yes. Fathers, grandparents, foster parents, and other legal guardians caring for infants and children under age 5 can apply for WIC benefits on behalf of the children in their custody. Foster children under age 5 are automatically eligible.

What happens to my WIC benefits if I move to another state?

WIC benefits easily transfer across state lines. Before moving, ask your current WIC clinic for a “Verification of Certification” (VOC) card. When you arrive in your new state, present this card to transfer enrollment without starting over.

Can I use my eWIC benefits to order groceries online?

Online ordering and curbside pickup with eWIC are actively rolling out nationwide in partnership with major grocery chains. Check your state's WIC mobile app or ask your local clinic for a list of participating online retailers in your zip code.

What foods are included in a typical WIC grocery package?

WIC packages include milk, lactose-free milk, yogurt, cheese, eggs, iron-fortified cereals, 100% fruit juice, whole-wheat breads, tortillas, brown rice, peanut butter, canned beans, canned fish (for nursing mothers), infant formula, baby cereals, and cash value vouchers for fresh produce.

Need groceries today while completing your WIC application? Search our verified nationwide directory of over 13,000 neighborhood food pantries open now.

Find Food Pantries Near You Explore SNAP Food Stamps

WIC • Women, Infants, and Children Program

Who is Eligible to Apply for WIC?

Pregnant Women

Breastfeeding Mothers

Postpartum Women

Infants & Children

Fathers, Grandparents, Foster Parents & Guardians Are Welcome!

WIC Income Eligibility Guidelines (185% FPL)

2025–2026 WIC Income Limits

Automatic (Adjunctive) Eligibility

State Residency

Nutritional Risk Determination

What WIC Provides for Growing Families

Healthy Foods & eWIC

Nutrition Counseling

Breastfeeding Support

Healthcare Referrals

4 Simple Steps to Apply for WIC

Check Eligibility

Gather Documents

Book Clinic Appointment

Attend & Receive eWIC

Official State WIC Application Portals

Alabama

Alaska

Arizona

Arkansas

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Delaware

District of Columbia

Florida

Georgia

Hawaii

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Montana

Nebraska

Nevada

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New Mexico

New York

North Carolina

North Dakota

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Vermont

Virginia

Washington

West Virginia

Wisconsin