The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides free healthy food, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and healthcare referrals to low income pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and children up to age 5. WIC serves approximately 6.2 million participants monthly and is available in all 50 states.
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WIC Eligibility
You qualify for WIC if you are pregnant, breastfeeding (up to 1 year), postpartum (up to 6 months), an infant, or a child under age 5, and your household income is at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Level. Receiving Medicaid, SNAP, or TANF automatically qualifies you income-wise.
WIC Benefits and Services
What WIC Provides
- Free food packages - Tailored to your nutritional needs
- Infant formula - Free formula for non-breastfeeding mothers
- Breastfeeding support - Counseling, breast pumps, peer support
- Nutrition education - Classes and counseling
- Healthcare referrals - Connections to medical care and other services
WIC Food Packages
WIC food packages include milk, cheese, yogurt, eggs, whole grain bread and cereals, fruits and vegetables, peanut butter, beans, juice, and infant foods. Breastfeeding mothers receive enhanced food packages. WIC benefits are loaded onto an eWIC card that works like an EBT card at authorized grocery stores.
How to Apply for WIC
Contact your local WIC clinic or health department. You can find WIC offices at WIC.FNS.USDA.gov. Bring proof of income, identity, address, and your child's immunization records. WIC appointments include a nutrition assessment and you will receive your benefits the same day you are certified.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, postpartum women, infants, and children under 5 qualify if household income is at or below 185% FPL. Receiving Medicaid, SNAP, or TANF automatically qualifies you income-wise.
WIC provides milk, cheese, yogurt, eggs, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, peanut butter, beans, juice, infant formula, and baby food. Food packages are tailored to age and nutritional needs.
Contact your local WIC office (find at WIC.FNS.USDA.gov) or call your local health department. Bring ID, proof of income, proof of address, and immunization records. You receive benefits the same day you are certified.
