WIC stands for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. It is a federally funded program administered by states that provides nutrition support to pregnant women, women who recently gave birth or are breastfeeding, infants, and children up to age five. WIC is one of the larger federal food assistance programs in the country, serving around 6 million participants per month, but a meaningful portion of eligible families are not enrolled.
Who is eligible
To qualify for WIC, you must fall into one of the eligible categories: pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy, women who gave birth in the past six months, women who are breastfeeding a child under one year old, infants under one year old, and children between one and five years old. You also need to meet income requirements. The income limit is typically set at 185 percent of the federal poverty level, which for a family of three in 2024 was approximately $44,000 annually. You must also be determined to have a nutritional risk factor, which a WIC health professional assesses during enrollment — this requirement is broadly interpreted and most applicants meet it.
What WIC provides
WIC benefits vary slightly by state but generally include a monthly allowance for specific food items such as milk, eggs, cheese, whole grains, canned fish, legumes, fresh fruits and vegetables, and infant formula for parents who are not breastfeeding. Benefits are loaded onto an EBT card and used at participating retailers including most major grocery stores. WIC also provides breastfeeding support through lactation consultants, referrals to healthcare and social services, and nutritional counseling at no cost.
How to apply
Applications are processed through local WIC agencies, which operate through health departments, clinics, and community organizations. To find the nearest WIC office, visit the USDA Food and Nutrition Service website and use the WIC agency locator, or call 211. You can also search for your state's WIC program directly. At your appointment, you will need proof of identity, proof of address, proof of income or current enrollment in Medicaid or SNAP, and, for infants and children, proof of age such as a birth certificate.
WIC and SNAP can be used together
WIC and SNAP are separate programs and are designed to complement each other rather than substitute for one another. Receiving SNAP does not disqualify you from WIC, and receiving WIC does not reduce your SNAP benefits. For families with young children who are receiving SNAP, applying for WIC as well often makes a significant difference to the monthly food budget, particularly given the specific food packages WIC provides for infants and young children.
Enrollment during pregnancy matters
Pregnant women who enroll in WIC during pregnancy can access nutritional support and healthcare referrals throughout the pregnancy, and the infant automatically becomes eligible for WIC benefits upon birth. Waiting until after the baby arrives to apply means missing the prenatal benefits. Healthcare providers at OB clinics and community health centers can typically provide referrals to local WIC agencies during a prenatal visit.