Who Can Get WIC in Texas
To get WIC in Texas, you must be pregnant, breastfeeding, or a parent or caregiver of a child under age 5. You also must live in Texas and be a U.S. citizen, national, or may have access to immigrant. Income is the main barrier: your household income must fall at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty line. For a family of four in 2024, that means a gross monthly income of roughly $4,060 or less, though this figure changes yearly and varies by family size.
You do not need to be receiving other benefits to get WIC, though many people do. You do not need to own a home or have a specific immigration status beyond being a may have access to immigrant. The program looks at your current situation: are you pregnant or nursing right now, do you have a child under 5 in your home right now, and does your income right now fall within the limit.
Key Takeaways
- You must be pregnant, breastfeeding, or caring for a child under age 5, and your household income must be at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty line.
- Texas WIC offices verify income using recent pay stubs, tax returns, or a signed statement if you have no income; they do not require you to be on other programs.
- You will need proof of residency (a utility bill or lease), proof of identity, and proof of your relationship to the child (birth certificate or custody papers).
- Once you are found to meet the rules, you get a WIC card that works at participating grocery stores and farmers markets across Texas.
- Your WIC benefits last six months, then you must recertify by bringing updated income and residency documents to your local office.
Income Limits by Household Size
WIC uses a single income threshold across all of Texas: 185 percent of the federal poverty line. The federal poverty line changes each year, usually in January. Because of this, the exact dollar amount you can earn and still get WIC shifts annually.
The table below shows approximate monthly gross income limits for 2024. These are estimates based on the current federal poverty line. Your local WIC office will have the exact current limits when you contact them, and they will tell you whether your income qualifies.
| Household Size | Monthly Gross Income Limit (2024) |
|---|---|
| 1 person | $2,340 |
| 2 people | $3,150 |
| 3 people | $3,960 |
| 4 people | $4,770 |
| 5 people | $5,580 |
| 6 people | $6,390 |
These limits are based on gross income before taxes. If you are self-employed, the WIC office will ask about your net income after business expenses. If you receive child support, Social Security, or other regular payments, those count toward your household income.
Documents You Need to Bring
Texas WIC offices require three types of proof: identity, residency, and income. You do not need all of these in original form, but you do need to bring them to your appointment so staff can see them.
Proof of identity can be a driver's license, state ID card, passport, or tribal ID. If you do not have a photo ID, a birth certificate or Social Security card works. Proof of residency must show your current address and can be a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or mail from a government agency dated within the last 60 days. A cell phone bill usually does not count.
Proof of income depends on your situation. If you work, bring recent pay stubs (usually the last two months). If you are self-employed, bring tax returns from the last year and a signed statement of your current monthly income. If you receive unemployment, Social Security, child support, or other benefits, bring a statement from that program. If you have no income, you can sign a statement saying so, and the WIC office will document it.
You will also need to show your relationship to the child. Bring a birth certificate, custody order, or guardianship papers. If you are pregnant, you do not need to prove the pregnancy at the office—a WIC nutritionist will ask you questions about your last menstrual period and refer you for a medical check if needed.
How to Find Your Local WIC Office
WIC in Texas is run by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), but you do not apply to a state office. You apply at your local WIC program, which is usually run by your county health department or a community health center. The easiest way to find the office nearest you is to call 211 Texas or visit the 211 website and search for "WIC". You can also call the Texas WIC hotline at 1-800-942-3456.
When you call, tell them your zip code and ask which office serves your area. Ask also whether they are currently taking new people or if there is a waiting list. Some Texas WIC programs run out of funding partway through the year and close to new people until the next fiscal year begins in October. Knowing this before you go saves a wasted trip.
Most WIC offices are open Monday through Friday during business hours. Some offer evening or Saturday hours. Many now allow you to start the process by phone or online, then come in for a final appointment. Ask when you call.
What Happens at Your First Appointment
Your first WIC appointment usually takes 45 minutes to an hour. A WIC staff member will review your documents, ask questions about your household income and size, and enter your information into the system. They will ask whether you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or the parent or caregiver of a child under 5. If you have a child with you, they may measure and weigh the child as part of the nutrition assessment.
A WIC nutritionist will then talk with you about nutrition, breastfeeding (if relevant), and any health concerns. This is not a test—it is a conversation to understand what you and your family need. The nutritionist will explain what foods you can buy with your WIC benefits and answer questions about how the program works.
At the end of the appointment, if you meet the income and other rules, you will be issued a WIC card. This card works like a debit card at participating stores. You will receive a list of approved foods and stores where you can use it. You can start shopping with your benefits the same day or the next day, depending on when the card is activated.
What Foods You Can Buy
WIC benefits are restricted to specific foods chosen because they are nutritious and affordable. You cannot use your WIC card to buy everything in the grocery store. The approved foods include milk, cheese, eggs, beans, peanut butter, canned fish, whole grain bread, cereal, fruits, vegetables, and infant formula or baby food if you have a child under age 1.
The exact list of approved foods and brands changes, and your WIC office will give you a current list when you get your card. You can also find the list online through the Texas HHSC website. Some items have quantity limits—for example, you might be able to buy one gallon of milk per month but two dozen eggs. Farmers markets in Texas also accept WIC benefits for fresh fruits and vegetables, and some accept WIC for other approved foods.
Recertification and How Long Benefits Last
Your WIC benefits last for six months from the date you are approved. Before those six months end, you must recertify—that is, you must come back to the WIC office and show updated proof of income and residency. You do not have to wait until the last day; you can recertify anytime in the month before your benefits expire.
To recertify, bring recent pay stubs or income statements and a current proof of residency (a utility bill dated within the last 60 days). If your household situation has changed—if you had another child, if someone moved out, if your income changed—tell the WIC staff. They will update your file and issue a new card if needed. Recertification appointments are usually shorter than your first appointment, often 15 to 30 minutes.
If you do not recertify before your six months end, your benefits stop. You can reapply, but there may be a waiting list. It is easier to recertify on time than to reapply later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does getting WIC affect my immigration status or other benefits?
WIC does not affect your immigration status. You must be a U.S. citizen, national, or may have access to immigrant to get WIC, but using WIC does not change your status. WIC also does not count against you for public charge purposes. Getting WIC does not reduce other benefits you receive, such as SNAP or Medicaid.
What if my income is above the limit but I am pregnant?
If your income is above 185 percent of the federal poverty line, you do not meet the income rule for WIC, regardless of whether you are pregnant. There is no exception for pregnancy. However, you may be able to get other support through Medicaid or community health programs. Ask your WIC office or call 211 Texas to learn what else may be available.
Can I use my WIC card at any grocery store?
No. Your WIC card only works at stores that have signed up to accept WIC. Most large grocery chains in Texas accept WIC, as do many smaller stores and all farmers markets. When you get your WIC card, you will receive a list of participating stores in your area. You can also ask the cashier before you shop whether they take WIC.
What if I move to a different county in Texas?
You can transfer your WIC benefits to the WIC program in your new county. Call your current WIC office and tell them you are moving. They will send your records to the new office, and you will get a new card that works in your new area. You do not lose your benefits when you move within Texas.
Can my partner or someone else pick up my WIC card?
Yes, but the person picking up the card must be authorized by you. When you get your card, you can name someone else who is allowed to use it or pick it up on your behalf. That person will need to show ID when they use the card at the store. If you want to change who is authorized, contact your WIC office.