WIC serves families with children under five, pregnant people, and nursing mothers who meet income and citizenship rules

WIC is open to pregnant people, people who just gave birth, nursing mothers, and children from birth through age four. Your household income must fall below 185 percent of the federal poverty line — the exact dollar amount depends on your state and family size. You must also be a U.S. citizen, national, or may have access to immigrant, and live in the state where you're applying.

The program does not require you to receive other benefits, though many WIC participants also use SNAP (food stamps) or Medicaid. Each state runs its own WIC program with slightly different rules, so what works in one state may differ in another.

Key Takeaways

  • WIC covers pregnant people, postpartum people within six months of delivery, nursing mothers, and children under five.
  • Your household income must be at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty line, which varies by family size and state.
  • You must be a U.S. citizen, national, or meet the definition of a may have access to immigrant under federal law.
  • Each state sets its own income cutoff within the federal limit, so the exact threshold depends on where you live.

Income limits by family size

The federal poverty line changes each year, and WIC uses 185 percent of that line as its income ceiling. For a family of three in 2024, the federal poverty line sits around $23,000 annually, making the WIC limit roughly $42,550. For a family of four, the limit is higher; for a family of two, it is lower.

Your state may set its own limit anywhere up to 185 percent. Some states use the full 185 percent; others use a lower percentage. You can find your state's exact income table on your state WIC office website — most publish a chart showing the monthly or annual limit for each family size.

Income includes wages, self-employment earnings, Social Security, unemployment benefits, and child support. It does not include tax refunds, one-time gifts, or money from selling a car or house. If you are unsure whether a particular income counts, ask when you contact your local WIC office.

Citizenship and immigration status

You must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or a may have access to immigrant. may have access to immigrants include people with a green card, people granted asylum, refugees, and people with certain other immigration statuses recognized by federal law. Your state WIC office will ask for proof — usually a birth certificate, passport, green card, or asylum approval letter.

If you are not sure whether your immigration status qualifies, bring whatever documents you have to your local WIC office. Staff there work with immigration cases regularly and can tell you whether you meet the requirement. Do not assume you are ineligible without asking.

Residency requirements

You must live in the state where you are applying for WIC. Most states do not require you to have lived there for a specific length of time — you can move to a state and apply for WIC right away. However, you cannot receive WIC benefits from two states at the same time.

If you move from one state to another, you will need to apply in your new state. Some states have agreements that speed up the transfer, but you should contact your new state's WIC office to start the process rather than assume your old case will move with you.

Nutritional risk and medical documentation

WIC requires that you have a nutritional risk — meaning a health condition or diet that puts you at risk for poor nutrition. This includes anemia, being underweight, being overweight, high blood pressure, or a history of poor pregnancy outcomes. It also includes not having enough money to buy nutritious food.

You do not need to bring medical records to your first visit. A WIC nutritionist or health worker will screen you during your appointment using questions about your health, diet, and income. If the screening shows nutritional risk, you move forward. If it does not, you may be turned down, though this is uncommon — most people who apply do show some form of nutritional risk.

Who does not may have access to

You cannot receive WIC if your income is above your state's limit, even by a small amount. You also cannot receive WIC if you do not meet the citizenship requirement or if you do not live in the state where you are applying. Children age five and older do not may have access to, nor do non-pregnant, non-nursing adults.

If you are turned down for income reasons, ask whether your state has a grace period — some allow a small income overage during certain months. If you are turned down for nutritional risk, ask what you would need to show at a later date to reapply.

How to find your state's specific rules

Each state publishes its income limits, citizenship rules, and application process on its WIC website. Search "[your state] WIC" plus "income limits" or "how to apply." You can also call your local WIC office directly — the number is usually listed on your state health department website or available through 211, a free helpline that connects you to local services.

When you call, have your family size and approximate household income ready. Staff can tell you in minutes whether you likely meet the income requirement and what documents to bring to your appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my income have to be below the poverty line, or just below 185 percent of it?

WIC uses 185 percent of the federal poverty line, not the poverty line itself. This means your income can be well above the poverty line and still may have access to. For example, a family of four with an income of $50,000 might may have access to in a state using the full 185 percent limit, even though the federal poverty line for that family is around $31,000.

If I get SNAP or Medicaid, am I automatically may be able to access for WIC?

No. Receiving other benefits does not automatically may have access to you for WIC. You must still meet WIC's income, citizenship, residency, and nutritional risk requirements. However, if you receive SNAP or Medicaid, you have already proven your income to another program, so you may have an easier time documenting it for WIC.

Can I apply if I am not a U.S. citizen?

You can apply if you are a may have access to immigrant — which includes green card holders, refugees, and people granted asylum. If you have another immigration status, contact your local WIC office with your documents. Staff can tell you whether your status qualifies without you having to guess.

What happens if my income goes above the limit after I start receiving WIC?

Most states allow you to stay on WIC for a grace period — usually one to three months — even if your income rises above the limit. After that period ends, you will be removed from the program. The exact grace period varies by state, so ask your WIC caseworker what applies to you.

Do I have to be pregnant or nursing to get WIC, or can I apply just for my children?

You can apply just for your children if they are under five. You do not need to be pregnant or nursing yourself. However, if you are pregnant or nursing, you can also receive WIC benefits for yourself in addition to benefits for your children.