The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program offers nutritional support and education to low-income pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, as well as infants and children under the age of five. WIC is not free for everyone. To qualify, individuals must meet certain income guidelines and nutritional risk factors. Those who qualify for WIC can receive a variety of benefits, including food vouchers, nutrition counseling, and breastfeeding support.
WIC Eligibility Criteria
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is a government program that provides free healthy food and nutrition education to low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non- breastfeeding women, and children under the age of 5. Eligibility for WIC is based on income, nutritional risk, and residency.
Income Criteria
- Must meet income guidelines based on the federal poverty level (FPL).
- Income levels vary by state, household size, and pregnancy or breastfeeding status.
Nutritional Risk
- Must be at nutritional risk as determined by a health professional.
- Nutritional risk factors include:
- Anemia
- Underweight or overweight
- History of preterm birth or low birth weight
- Poor diet
Residency
- Must reside in the United States.
- Must reside in the state where WIC benefits are sought.
| Family Size | 100% FPL | 185% FPL |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $14,240 | $26,290 |
| 2 | $19,040 | $35,270 |
| 3 | $23,840 | $44,250 |
| 4 | $28,640 | $53,230 |
| 5 | $33,440 | $62,210 |
| 6 | $38,240 | $71,190 |
| 7 | $43,040 | $80,170 |
| 8 | $45,830 | $89,150 |
| Each additional person | $4,790 | $9,030 |
Note: Income guidelines are subject to change each year. Please contact your local WIC office for the most current information.
Income Requirements for WIC
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is a federal nutrition program that provides food, nutrition education, and breastfeeding support to low-income women, infants, and children. WIC is not free for everyone, but it is available to those who meet certain income requirements.
To be eligible for WIC, you must meet the following income requirements:
- Your family’s income must be at or below 185% of the federal poverty level.
- You must be a pregnant woman, a breastfeeding woman, or a child under the age of 5.
| Family Size | 185% of the Federal Poverty Level |
|---|---|
| 1 | $26,533 |
| 2 | $35,675 |
| 3 | $44,818 |
| 4 | $53,960 |
| 5 | $63,103 |
| 6 | $72,245 |
| 7 | $81,388 |
| 8 | $90,530 |
If your family’s income is above 185% of the federal poverty level, you may still be eligible for WIC if you are a migrant farmworker or if you have a disability.
Who Qualifies for WIC
WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children) is a nutrition program that provides food and other services to low-income pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, and to infants and children up to age 5. WIC is free to those who qualify.
Categorical Eligibility for WIC
To be categorically eligible for WIC, applicants must meet one of the following criteria:
- Be receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits
- Be receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits
- Be receiving Medicaid benefits
- Be living in a household with an income at or below 185% of the federal poverty level
Applicants who do not meet any of the categorical eligibility criteria may still be eligible for WIC if they meet certain income and nutritional risk criteria. To determine nutritional risk, WIC staff will assess applicants’ dietary intake, health history, and other factors.
Income Eligibility Guidelines for WIC
The following table shows the income eligibility guidelines for WIC for Fiscal Year 2023:
| Household Size | 185% of Federal Poverty Level | 200% of Federal Poverty Level |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2,559 | $2,791 |
| 2 | $3,443 | $3,770 |
| 3 | $4,328 | $4,750 |
| 4 | $5,212 | $5,729 |
| 5 | $6,096 | $6,709 |
| 6 | $6,981 | $7,688 |
| 7 | $7,865 | $8,668 |
| 8 | $8,750 | $9,647 |
Note: Income eligibility guidelines are updated annually on October 1st.
Special Circumstances for WIC Participation
WIC is a federally-funded program that provides nutritious food and nutrition education to pregnant women, new mothers, and children under age 5. While WIC is typically free for eligible participants, there are some circumstances under which individuals may have to pay a small fee:
- Income Level: WIC is based on income eligibility, and individuals with higher incomes may be required to pay a co-payment for WIC services.
- Household Size: WIC provides food benefits based on the size of the household, and households with more members may have to pay a higher co-payment.
- Nutritional Risk: Individuals who are at a higher nutritional risk may be eligible for additional WIC benefits, but these benefits may require a co-payment.
To determine if you are eligible for WIC and whether you may have to pay a co-payment, you should contact your local WIC agency.
| Income Level | Household Size | Co-payment |
|---|---|---|
| Below 185% of the federal poverty level | 1-2 members | Free |
| 185-200% of the federal poverty level | 1-2 members | $10 |
| Above 200% of the federal poverty level | 1-2 members | $20 |
Thanks a bunch for taking the time to hang out with me today and learn about WIC. I hope you found this article informative and helpful. If you have any other questions about WIC or anything else, feel free to drop me a line. I’m always happy to chat. Be sure to check back soon for more awesome articles. Until next time, take care!