WIC, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, is a federal nutrition program that provides food and nutrition assistance to eligible people. WIC provides benefits to pregnant and postpartum women, infants, and children up to age 5 who are found to be at nutritional risk. The program also offers nutrition education and counseling to participants.
Eligibility for Children
The WIC program provides nutritional support to low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, as well as infants and children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk. To be eligible for WIC, children must meet certain age and income requirements.
Age Requirements
- Pregnant women are eligible for WIC from the time they learn they are pregnant until the end of their pregnancy.
- Breastfeeding women are eligible for WIC until their babies are 1 year old.
- Postpartum women are eligible for WIC for up to 6 months after they give birth.
- Infants are eligible for WIC from birth until they are 1 year old.
- Children are eligible for WIC from 1 year old until they are 5 years old.
Income Requirements
To be eligible for WIC, children must also meet certain income requirements. The income guidelines are based on the federal poverty level (FPL). To be eligible for WIC, a child’s family income must be below 185% of the FPL.
| Family Size | 185% of FPL (2023) |
|---|---|
| 1 | $26,628 |
| 2 | $36,027 |
| 3 | $45,426 |
| 4 | $54,825 |
| 5 | $64,224 |
| 6 | $73,623 |
| 7 | $83,022 |
| 8 | $92,421 |
Eligibility for Pregnant Women
Pregnant women are eligible for WIC if they meet the following income and nutritional risk criteria:
- Income: Pregnant women must meet the same income eligibility guidelines as other WIC participants. This means their income must be at or below 185% of the federal poverty level. For a family of four, this means an annual income of $48,638 or less.
- Nutritional risk: Pregnant women are considered at nutritional risk if they have any of the following conditions:
| Condition | Description |
|---|---|
| Anemia | Anemia is a condition in which the blood does not have enough healthy red blood cells. This can lead to fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath. |
| Iron deficiency | Iron deficiency is a condition in which the body does not have enough iron. Iron is essential for the production of red blood cells. |
| Folic acid deficiency | Folic acid deficiency is a condition in which the body does not have enough folic acid. Folic acid is essential for the prevention of birth defects, such as spina bifida. |
Pregnant women who are at nutritional risk are eligible for WIC regardless of their income. However, pregnant women who are not at nutritional risk must meet the same income eligibility guidelines as other WIC participants.
Eligibility for Postpartum Women
WIC provides supplemental food, nutrition education, and breastfeeding support to low-income pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, and to infants and children up to age 5. Postpartum women are eligible for WIC for up to six months after the birth of their child.
To be eligible for WIC as a postpartum woman, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be a U.S. citizen or legal resident
- Have a household income at or below 185% of the federal poverty level
- Have had a baby within the past six months
- Be breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed
If you meet these requirements, you can apply for WIC at your local health department or WIC clinic.
WIC provides a variety of benefits to postpartum women, including:
- Supplemental food vouchers to purchase healthy foods
- Nutrition education and counseling
- Breastfeeding support
- Referrals to other health and social services
| Household Size | 185% of the Federal Poverty Level |
|---|---|
| 1 | $26,862 |
| 2 | $36,618 |
| 3 | $46,374 |
| 4 | $56,130 |
| 5 | $65,886 |
| 6 | $75,642 |
| 7 | $85,398 |
| 8 | $95,154 |
Thanks so much for hanging out and reading about WIC’s age coverage! As always, we appreciate you stopping by our cozy corner of the internet. If you’ve got any more burning questions about WIC or just want to say hi, don’t be shy! We’d love to chat. In the meantime, keep your eyes peeled for even more helpful info coming your way. Until next time, stay healthy and happy!