The income limit for WIC in 2026 is 185% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) — $2,413 per month ($28,953/year) for a household of one in the contiguous United States. Limits scale with household size and are slightly higher in Alaska and Hawaii.
WIC serves pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, postpartum women, infants, and children under 5 who meet the income threshold and have a nutritional risk identified by a health professional. If you already receive SNAP, Medicaid, or TANF, you automatically qualify for WIC without a separate income check — this is called adjunctive eligibility.
Use the WIC calculator to check your household instantly, or find your state below for application information.
2026 WIC Income Limits — 48 Contiguous States, D.C., and Territories
These limits apply to all states except Alaska and Hawaii. Income is based on gross household income before taxes.
| Household Size | Weekly | Bi-Weekly | Twice-Monthly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $557 | $1,114 | $1,207 | $2,413 | $28,953 |
| 2 | $753 | $1,505 | $1,631 | $3,261 | $39,128 |
| 3 | $949 | $1,897 | $2,055 | $4,109 | $49,303 |
| 4 | $1,144 | $2,288 | $2,479 | $4,957 | $59,478 |
| 5 | $1,340 | $2,679 | $2,903 | $5,805 | $69,653 |
| 6 | $1,536 | $3,071 | $3,327 | $6,653 | $79,828 |
| 7 | $1,731 | $3,462 | $3,751 | $7,501 | $90,003 |
| 8 | $1,927 | $3,853 | $4,175 | $8,349 | $100,178 |
| Each additional | +$196 | +$392 | +$424 | +$848 | +$10,175 |
Effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. Source: USDA Food and Nutrition Service.
WIC Income Limits — Alaska
Alaska has a higher Federal Poverty Level than the contiguous states, resulting in higher WIC income thresholds.
| Household Size | Weekly | Bi-Weekly | Twice-Monthly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $696 | $1,392 | $1,507 | $3,014 | $36,168 |
| 2 | $941 | $1,881 | $2,038 | $4,075 | $48,896 |
| 3 | $1,186 | $2,371 | $2,568 | $5,136 | $61,624 |
| 4 | $1,430 | $2,860 | $3,098 | $6,196 | $74,352 |
| 5 | $1,675 | $3,350 | $3,629 | $7,257 | $87,080 |
| 6 | $1,920 | $3,839 | $4,159 | $8,318 | $99,808 |
| 7 | $2,165 | $4,329 | $4,689 | $9,378 | $112,536 |
| 8 | $2,409 | $4,818 | $5,220 | $10,439 | $125,264 |
| Each additional | +$245 | +$490 | +$531 | +$1,061 | +$12,728 |
WIC Income Limits — Hawaii
Hawaii’s WIC income limits reflect its higher cost of living.
| Household Size | Weekly | Bi-Weekly | Twice-Monthly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $641 | $1,281 | $1,387 | $2,774 | $33,282 |
| 2 | $866 | $1,731 | $1,875 | $3,750 | $44,992 |
| 3 | $1,091 | $2,181 | $2,363 | $4,726 | $56,703 |
| 4 | $1,316 | $2,632 | $2,851 | $5,702 | $68,413 |
| 5 | $1,541 | $3,082 | $3,339 | $6,677 | $80,124 |
| 6 | $1,767 | $3,533 | $3,827 | $7,653 | $91,834 |
| 7 | $1,992 | $3,983 | $4,315 | $8,629 | $103,545 |
| 8 | $2,217 | $4,433 | $4,803 | $9,605 | $115,255 |
| Each additional | +$226 | +$451 | +$488 | +$976 | +$11,711 |
Who Qualifies for WIC?
WIC eligibility requires meeting all four of the following criteria:
1. Categorical eligibility — You must fall into one of these groups:
- Pregnant women (at any stage of pregnancy)
- Breastfeeding women (up to the infant’s first birthday)
- Postpartum women — breastfeeding up to 12 months postpartum, non-breastfeeding up to 6 months
- Infants (birth through age 1)
- Children ages 1 through 4
2. Income eligibility — Gross household income at or below 185% FPL (see tables above). Unborn children count toward your household size during pregnancy.
3. Residency — You must live in the state where you apply. There is no minimum length of residency required.
4. Nutritional risk — A WIC health professional must determine that you or your child has a nutritional risk — such as anemia, low birth weight, poor dietary patterns, or a medical condition that affects nutrition. This is assessed at your first WIC appointment and is almost always confirmed for eligible applicants.
Adjunctive Eligibility: Automatic Qualification
If you currently receive SNAP (food stamps), Medicaid, or TANF (cash assistance), you automatically meet WIC’s income requirement without a separate income check. This is called adjunctive eligibility.
If you receive SNAP, see what you can buy with SNAP benefits — WIC foods are separate from SNAP and can be used together. Many families receive both programs simultaneously. If you’re unsure whether you qualify for SNAP, use the SNAP Screener to check.
WIC Income Limits vs. SNAP Income Limits
WIC and SNAP have different income thresholds — and many households qualify for both.
WIC income limit: 185% FPL — $4,957/month for a family of four in the contiguous U.S.
SNAP income limit (gross): 130% FPL — $3,399/month for a family of four in most states. Some states use 200% FPL through broad-based categorical eligibility.
A family of four with a monthly income between $3,399 and $4,957 may qualify for WIC but not SNAP. A family below $3,399/month may qualify for both. Use the SNAP income limits Chart to compare your household against both thresholds.
WIC Benefits — What You Receive
WIC provides monthly food packages tailored to your category — pregnancy, breastfeeding, postpartum, infant, or child — along with nutrition counseling, breastfeeding support, and referrals to other services.
Food packages typically include:
- Milk, cheese, or dairy alternatives
- Eggs
- Whole grain bread, tortillas, or cereals
- Fruits and vegetables (via EBT-style WIC card or vouchers)
- Infant formula (for formula-fed babies)
- Baby food fruits and vegetables
- Canned fish (for breastfeeding women)
- Juice
Benefits are distributed on a WIC card (similar to an EBT card) accepted at authorized retailers. WIC does not count toward SNAP benefit calculations. See WIC income guidelines by state to find your state’s WIC agency and how to apply.
WIC Eligibility by State
WIC income limits are uniform across the contiguous 48 states — the table above applies to all states except Alaska and Hawaii. However, each state administers its own WIC program with different application processes, clinic locations, and food package options.
Select your state below for state-specific WIC information and application instructions:
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Important Notes on WIC Income Limits
Pregnancy adds a household member. If you are pregnant, your unborn child counts toward your household size. A pregnant woman living alone is counted as a household of two for income purposes.
No asset test. WIC does not have an asset limit. Savings, a car, or home ownership have no effect on eligibility.
Income is gross, not net. WIC uses your total income before taxes and deductions, not take-home pay.
Self-employment income is counted after allowable business expenses.
Frequency of pay doesn’t change the limit. The chart includes weekly, bi-weekly, twice-monthly, and monthly columns — use whichever matches how often you are paid and compare it to the appropriate column.
Categorical eligibility overrides the income test. If you receive SNAP, Medicaid, or TANF, you don’t need to prove your income — just show proof of your enrollment in one of those programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income limit for WIC in 2026?
The income limit for WIC in 2026 is 185% of the Federal Poverty Level — $2,413 per month or $28,953 per year for a single person in the contiguous United States. For a family of four, the monthly limit is $4,957 ($59,478/year). Alaska and Hawaii have higher limits. These guidelines are effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026.
Does WIC income limit include all household members?
Yes — WIC counts the gross income of everyone in the household, including a working spouse or partner. An unborn child counts as a household member for a pregnant woman, raising the income threshold by one person.
Can I get WIC if I already get SNAP?
Yes — and you automatically qualify. SNAP recipients are adjunctively eligible for WIC, meaning your SNAP enrollment is treated as proof of meeting the WIC income requirement. You still need to meet WIC’s categorical eligibility (pregnant, breastfeeding, postpartum, infant, or child under 5) and have a nutritional risk identified at your first appointment.
What if my income is slightly over the WIC limit?
You may still qualify through adjunctive eligibility if you receive Medicaid or TANF, even if your income is slightly above the 185% FPL threshold. Contact your local WIC clinic — income calculations can vary based on how income is counted, and a caseworker may be able to identify eligibility you wouldn’t find on your own.
How often do WIC income limits change?
WIC income limits update annually on July 1, tied to changes in the Federal Poverty Level published each January by the Department of Health and Human Services. The limits above are current through June 30, 2026.
Does WIC affect SNAP benefits?
No — WIC benefits are entirely separate from SNAP and do not count as income for SNAP calculations. Receiving WIC does not reduce your SNAP benefit, and receiving SNAP does not reduce your WIC food package. Many families receive both programs simultaneously. Use the EBT Calculator to check your SNAP eligibility alongside WIC.
Can fathers or male guardians apply for WIC for their child?
Yes — a father, grandparent, foster parent, or other legal guardian can apply for WIC on behalf of an eligible infant or child. The applicant must be the child’s legal caregiver.
How do I apply for WIC?
Contact your local WIC clinic through your state’s WIC agency website. You’ll need to provide proof of identity, state residency, income (or proof of SNAP/Medicaid enrollment), and attend a brief health screening. Most clinics offer walk-in appointments or same-week scheduling. See WIC income guidelines by state for your state’s WIC agency contact information.
WIC income limits are effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. Source: USDA Food and Nutrition Service. Limits are updated annually. Verify current figures with your state’s WIC agency before applying.