WIC benefits last for one year at a time, then you must recertify to continue

When you receive WIC, your benefits run for a 12-month period from the date you are first approved. After those 12 months end, your benefits stop unless you go through recertification — a process where you provide updated information to confirm you still meet income and other requirements. You do not automatically renew; you have to take action to continue.

The exact end date of your benefits appears on your WIC card or in your approval letter. Some states send a notice 30 to 60 days before expiration reminding you to recertify. Others do not, so marking your calendar is your responsibility. If you miss the recertification deadline, your benefits end and you have to start over with a new application.

How long you can stay on WIC overall depends on your family's situation. WIC is designed for pregnant people, postpartum people, breastfeeding people, infants, and children up to age 5. Once a child turns 5, they are no longer able to receive WIC, even if you recertify. Pregnant people can stay on WIC through pregnancy and for six months after delivery (whether breastfeeding or not). Breastfeeding people can stay on WIC for up to one year after the baby is born.

Key Takeaways

  • Each WIC certification period lasts exactly 12 months; your benefits do not automatically renew after that time.
  • You must recertify before your 12 months end by providing updated income, residency, and household information to your local WIC office.
  • Children age 5 and older are no longer able to receive WIC, even if you recertify while they are still in your household.
  • Pregnant and postpartum people can receive WIC for up to six months after delivery; breastfeeding people can receive it for up to one year after birth.
  • If you do not recertify before your benefits expire, you must submit a new application to restart; there is no grace period.

What happens when your 12-month period ends

On the date your certification expires, your WIC card stops working. You cannot use it to buy food at the store, and the state no longer sends you a monthly benefit amount. If you want to continue receiving WIC, you must contact your local WIC office and ask to recertify before that expiration date — ideally 30 days before, though some offices accept recertification up to the last day.

Recertification requires you to bring or submit the same types of documents you brought for your original application: proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer), proof of residency (utility bill or lease), and proof of household composition (birth certificates for children, marriage certificate if applicable). Some WIC offices now allow you to recertify by mail, phone, or online; others require an in-person visit. Call your local WIC office to find out which method they use and what documents they need.

If you recertify on time, your new 12-month period begins on your expiration date or shortly after, with no gap in benefits. If you miss the deadline and your benefits expire, you have to submit a new application as if you were applying for the first time. This can take two to four weeks to process, leaving your family without WIC benefits during that time.

Income and household changes between certifications

Your income and household size are checked at recertification. If your income has risen above the WIC income limit for your state and household size, you will not recertify. WIC income limits vary by state but are generally around 185% of the federal poverty line. If you earned more money since your last certification, you may no longer meet the requirement.

If someone moves out of your household or a new person moves in, you must report that change. Some WIC offices allow you to report changes between certifications; others require you to wait until recertification. Changes in household size can affect your income limit and your benefit amount, so it is important to tell your WIC office about them promptly.

If your circumstances change in a way that makes you ineligible — for example, your income rises significantly or a child turns 5 — your benefits will end at that point, not wait until your 12 months are up. You do not get to keep using WIC for the remainder of your certification period if you no longer meet the rules.

How long different family members can stay on WIC

Each person in your household has their own may be able to access window. Infants can receive WIC from birth until they turn 5 years old. Children can receive WIC from age 1 until the day before they turn 5. Once a child reaches age 5, they are no longer able to receive WIC, and you cannot recertify them.

Pregnant people can receive WIC throughout pregnancy and for six months after delivery, regardless of whether they breastfeed. The six-month postpartum period is counted from the birth date. After six months postpartum, a pregnant person's WIC ends unless they are still breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding people can receive WIC for up to one year after the baby is born. This applies whether the person was on WIC during pregnancy or not. If you start breastfeeding after delivery and were not on WIC before, you can still join WIC as a breastfeeding person and receive benefits for up to 12 months from the baby's birth date.

If you have multiple children on WIC, each child's 12-month certification period runs independently. One child's benefits might expire in March while another child's expire in September. You will need to recertify each child separately on or before their expiration date.

Recertification appointments and deadlines

Your WIC office will tell you when to recertify, but the responsibility to show up or submit documents is yours. Some offices send a reminder letter 30 to 60 days before expiration; many do not. Check your approval letter or WIC card for your expiration date and mark it on your calendar.

Most WIC offices allow you to recertify up to 30 days before your benefits expire. A few allow recertification only within 30 days of expiration. Call your local WIC office to find out their specific window. If you recertify early, your new 12-month period usually starts on your current expiration date, not on the day you recertify, so you do not lose any benefits.

If you miss your recertification deadline, your benefits end on the expiration date. You then have to submit a new application. There is no grace period or way to retroactively extend your benefits. Some states allow you to apply again immediately; others have a waiting period before you can reapply.

What to do if your benefits are about to expire

Contact your local WIC office at least two weeks before your expiration date. Ask whether you can recertify by mail, phone, or online, or whether you need an appointment. Find out exactly what documents they need and whether they accept electronic copies or require originals.

Gather your documents: recent pay stubs or income verification, proof of where you live, and proof of your children's ages and your relationship to them. If your income or household has changed, have that information ready to report.

Submit your recertification materials before your expiration date. If you are recertifying in person, arrive on time and bring all required documents. If you are recertifying by mail or online, send or upload your materials with enough time for the office to process them before your deadline — at least one week is safer.

After you recertify, your WIC office will send you a new approval letter and, if needed, a new WIC card. Keep the approval letter in a safe place; it shows your new expiration date and benefit amounts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I recertify before my 12 months are up?

Yes. Most WIC offices allow you to recertify up to 30 days before your expiration date. When you recertify early, your new 12-month period usually begins on your current expiration date, so you do not lose any benefits. Call your local WIC office to confirm their recertification window.

What happens if I do not recertify by my expiration date?

Your WIC benefits stop on the expiration date, and your WIC card no longer works. You must submit a new application to restart WIC. This can take two to four weeks to process, leaving your family without benefits during that time. There is no grace period.

Can my child stay on WIC after they turn 5?

No. WIC ends for children the day they turn 5, even if you are in the middle of a 12-month certification period. You cannot recertify a child who is 5 or older. If you have younger children, they can continue on WIC.

How long can I stay on WIC if I am breastfeeding?

You can receive WIC for up to one year after your baby is born if you are breastfeeding. This is longer than the six-month postpartum period for people who do not breastfeed. You must recertify every 12 months to continue.

Do I have to recertify every year, or can I stay on WIC indefinitely?

You must recertify every 12 months. WIC is not a permanent program; it is designed to provide support during specific life stages. Each time you recertify, the WIC office checks your income and household to make sure you still meet the requirements.