The amount of WIC money you qualify for depends on your family’s income, household size, and where you live. Generally, families with incomes at or below 185% of the federal poverty level are eligible for WIC. The maximum amount of WIC benefits varies from state to state, but it’s typically around $50 per month for each eligible family member. Pregnant women, breastfeeding women, and children under the age of 5 are eligible for WIC benefits.
Eligibility Requirements for WIC
To be eligible for WIC (Women, Infants, and Children), you must meet the following requirements:
- Be a pregnant or breastfeeding woman, or a child under age 5.
- Meet the income guidelines (see table below).
- Live in the United States.
- Be at nutritional risk, as determined by a health care professional.
| Household Size | Income Limit |
|---|---|
| 1 | $27,050 |
| 2 | $36,200 |
| 3 | $45,350 |
| 4 | $54,500 |
| 5 | $63,650 |
| 6 | $72,800 |
| 7 | $81,950 |
| 8 | $91,100 |
Note: Income limits may vary depending on the state in which you live.
WIC Cash Value
The cash value of your monthly Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefits is based on several factors, including your household size, income, and location. The chart below shows the maximum monthly cash value for each state and income level.
| State | Income Level | Maximum Monthly Cash Value |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 100% of Federal Poverty Level | $50 |
| Alaska | 100% of Federal Poverty Level | $60 |
| Arizona | 100% of Federal Poverty Level | $50 |
| Arkansas | 100% of Federal Poverty Level | $50 |
| California | 100% of Federal Poverty Level | $50 |
Supplemental Benefits
In addition to cash benefits, you may receive supplemental benefits from your state’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). SNAP benefits are electronic benefits that can be used to buy food at participating grocery stores and farmers’ markets. The amount of SNAP benefits you receive will depend on your household size, income, and location.
- Nutritional counseling:. You will receive one-on-one nutrition counseling from a registered dietitian or nutritionist.
- Breastfeeding support:. You will receive information and support on breastfeeding from a trained peer counselor.
- Referrals to other health and social services:. You will be referred to other health and social services if you need them.
Income Limits and WIC Benefits
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides federal grants to states for supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk.
To be eligible for WIC, applicants must meet certain income guidelines. The income limits are based on the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) and vary by state. The following table shows the income limits for WIC in each state:
State Income Limit Alabama 185% of the FPL Alaska 200% of the FPL Arizona 185% of the FPL Arkansas 185% of the FPL California 200% of the FPL Colorado 185% of the FPL Connecticut 185% of the FPL Delaware 185% of the FPL District of Columbia 185% of the FPL Florida 185% of the FPL Georgia 185% of the FPL Hawaii 200% of the FPL Idaho 185% of the FPL Illinois 185% of the FPL Indiana 185% of the FPL Iowa 185% of the FPL Kansas 185% of the FPL Kentucky 185% of the FPL Louisiana 185% of the FPL Maine 185% of the FPL Maryland 185% of the FPL Massachusetts 185% of the FPL Michigan 185% of the FPL Minnesota 185% of the FPL Mississippi 185% of the FPL Missouri 185% of the FPL Montana 185% of the FPL Nebraska 185% of the FPL Nevada 185% of the FPL New Hampshire 185% of the FPL New Jersey 185% of the FPL New Mexico 185% of the FPL New York 185% of the FPL North Carolina 185% of the FPL North Dakota 185% of the FPL Ohio 185% of the FPL Oklahoma 185% of the FPL Oregon 185% of the FPL Pennsylvania 185% of the FPL Puerto Rico 185% of the FPL Rhode Island 185% of the FPL South Carolina How Much WIC Money Can I Get?
The amount of WIC money you can get depends on your family size, income, and where you live. The federal government sets the minimum amount of funding for WIC, but states and localities can add to that amount.
The following table shows the minimum monthly WIC food benefits for different family sizes:
Family Size Monthly Benefit 1 $49 2 $68 3 $87 4 $106 5 $125 6 $144 In addition to food benefits, WIC also provides nutrition education and counseling, breastfeeding support, and referrals to other health and social services.
Regional Variations in WIC Funding
The amount of WIC funding available to families can vary significantly from state to state and locality to locality. The following are some of the factors that can affect WIC funding levels:
- The cost of living in the area
- The number of WIC participants in the area
- The state and local government’s commitment to WIC
As a result of these factors, the amount of WIC money you can get can vary significantly from the minimum monthly benefits listed in the table above.
To find out how much WIC money you can get in your area, you can contact your local WIC agency.
Thanks for checking out this article! I hope it’s been informative and helpful. Remember, the amount of WIC money you can receive depends on your family’s size and income. If you have any further questions or want to learn more about WIC, feel free to check out our other articles or visit the USDA website. Thanks for reading, and have a great day!