The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) in California, administered by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), provides supplemental foods, nutrition education, and healthcare referrals to low-income pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, infants, and children up to age 5 at nutritional risk.
This guide details the WIC income guidelines California, eligibility criteria, benefits, and application process, based on federal and CDPH guidelines, supporting families amid rising food costs.
California WIC Programs
California WIC, one of the largest programs in the U.S., serves over 1 million participants annually, offering:
- Supplemental Foods: EBT benefits for nutritious foods like milk, eggs, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and infant formula at authorized retailers.
- Nutrition Education: Online and in-person sessions on healthy eating and breastfeeding.
- Breastfeeding Support: Peer counseling, pumps, and lactation services.
- Healthcare Referrals: Links to medical and social services.
- Special Initiatives: Increased fruit/vegetable vouchers, mobile clinics, and culturally tailored programs for diverse communities.
WIC is an entitlement program with no enrollment caps, requiring recertification every 6–12 months. The 2025 WIC income guidelines California expand eligibility due to updated Federal Poverty Level (FPL) thresholds.
Eligibility for California WIC
Eligibility for WIC in California depends on categorical, income, and nutritional risk criteria:
- Categorical Eligibility: Pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers (up to 1 year postpartum), postpartum women (up to 6 months post-delivery), infants (up to 1 year), or children under 5.
- Residency: Must live in California.
- Income: Gross household income at or below 185% FPL per the WIC income guidelines California. Automatic eligibility applies for Medicaid (Medi-Cal), SNAP (CalFresh), or TANF recipients.
- Nutritional Risk: Assessed by a WIC clinic health professional (e.g., anemia, poor growth, inadequate diet).
- Immigration Status: U.S. citizens, nationals, lawful permanent residents, or qualified immigrants.
Automatic Eligibility: Households enrolled in Medi-Cal, CalFresh, or TANF qualify without income verification. Pregnant women count unborn children as household members. Use the WIC Eligibility Calculator to check your status.
WIC Income Guidelines California 2025
The WIC income guidelines California for 2025, effective July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026, set eligibility at 185% FPL for the contiguous U.S. Below are the maximum gross income limits.
| Household Size | Annual Income (185% FPL) | Monthly Income (185% FPL) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $28,953 | $2,413 |
| 2 | $39,128 | $3,260 |
| 3 | $49,303 | $4,109 |
| 4 | $59,478 | $4,957 |
| 5 | $69,653 | $5,805 |
| 6 | $79,828 | $6,652 |
| 7 | $90,003 | $7,500 |
| 8 | $100,178 | $8,348 |
| Each Additional | +$10,175 | +$848 |
Additional Notes on WIC Income Guidelines California
- Gross Income: Includes wages, self-employment, unemployment, child support, alimony, Social Security, and pensions. No deductions for child care or dependent care.
- Automatic Qualification: Medi-Cal, CalFresh, or TANF enrollment bypasses income verification. Military families may include Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH).
- Pregnant Women: Unborn children count as household members (e.g., single pregnant woman uses household of 2: $3,260/month).
- 2025 Updates: The WIC income guidelines California reflect a slight increase from 2024, potentially aiding more families in high-cost urban and rural areas. Check your FPL percentage with the FPL Calculator.
Nutritional Benefits for California WIC
California WIC provides monthly EBT benefits for use at authorized retailers (e.g., Ralphs, Walmart, Target), supporting healthy diets across diverse communities.
Food Benefits by Category
| Participant Category | Monthly Benefits |
|---|---|
| Pregnant/Postpartum Women | $11 cereal, 4 gal milk, 1 lb cheese, 1 dz eggs, $10 beans/peanut butter, $47 fruits/vegetables (CVB), 24–32 oz formula (if not breastfeeding). |
| Breastfeeding Women | Same as pregnant, plus $52 fruits/vegetables (CVB); no formula for fully breastfeeding. |
| Infants (0–12 months) | 8–10 lb cereal (6+ months), 24–32 oz formula, baby food (fruits/vegetables, 6+ months). Fully breastfed get jarred foods. |
| Children (1–5 years) | $6 cereal, 2 gal milk, 1 lb cheese, 1 dz eggs, $5 beans/peanut butter, $9 fruits/vegetables (CVB), 64 oz juice. |
- Cash Value Benefit (CVB): $9/month for children, $47/month for pregnant/postpartum, $52/month for breastfeeding (increased in 2021).
- Average Benefit: $50–$100/person, costing California ~$700 million annually.
- Non-Food Benefits: 6–12 nutrition education sessions/year (online/in-person), breastfeeding support (pumps, counseling), and healthcare referrals, with multilingual services.
Nutritional Risk Requirements
A WIC clinic health professional assesses nutritional risk, requiring at least one factor:
- Medical Risks: Anemia, under/overweight, gestational diabetes.
- Dietary Risks: Inadequate iron, calcium, or protein intake.
- Growth Risks: Failure to thrive, obesity in children.
- Other Risks: Lead exposure, substance abuse history.
Screening is free, involving height/weight checks and blood tests (e.g., for anemia). No risk? Limited education/referrals may be available.
Changes Due to Federal Policy
2025 federal updates enhance California WIC:
- Increased CVB: Permanent $9/month for children (up from $6).
- Postpartum Coverage: Extended to 12 months (from 6), aligning with Medi-Cal.
- Equity Enhancements: Expanded remote certification and culturally tailored education for Hispanic, Asian, and Native American communities.
- Funding: $500 million nationally for staffing and technology, supporting California’s 500+ clinics.
Mobile and virtual clinics serve rural and underserved areas.
Options if Over the WIC Income Guidelines California
If income exceeds 185% FPL:
- SNAP (CalFresh): Up to 130% FPL gross income ($1,734/month for 1); apply at snapeligibilitycalculator.com.
- Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP): For seniors 60+ at 130% FPL.
- Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program: $20–$50 vouchers for WIC-eligible families.
- Free Nutrition Resources: CDPH offers diet planning tools.
- Nutrition Consultants: Assist with budget-friendly healthy eating.
Application Process
To apply for California WIC:
- Online Pre-Screening: Check eligibility at cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CFH/DWICN.
- In-Person or Virtual: Schedule at one of 500+ WIC clinics. Call 1-888-942-2229 or use the CDPH clinic locator.
- Required Documents: Proof of income (pay stubs, tax return), identity/residency (ID, utility bill), health records. Bring household members for screening.
- Certification: Includes height/weight, blood test, and risk assessment. Approval is immediate if eligible; EBT benefits start same day.
Processing Time
- Initial Application: Same-day certification with complete documents.
- Recertification: Every 6 months (pregnant/breastfeeding) or 12 months (children).
- Expedited: Immediate for high-risk cases (e.g., low birthweight infants).
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for WIC in California?
Pre-screen at cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CFH/DWICN or call 1-888-942-2229 for a clinic appointment. Bring income, ID, and health records.
What are the 2025 WIC income guidelines California?
Up to 185% FPL: $2,413/month (1 person), $3,260/month (2), $4,109/month (3), $4,957/month (4). Medi-Cal/CalFresh recipients auto-qualify.
Does California WIC have asset limits?
No, WIC income guidelines California focus solely on gross income and nutritional risk.
What qualifies as a nutritional risk for WIC?
Anemia, poor growth, inadequate diet, or high-risk pregnancy, assessed free at clinics.
What if my income exceeds the WIC income guidelines California?
Explore CalFresh, CSFP for seniors, or Farmers’ Market vouchers. CDPH offers free nutrition resources.
What benefits does California WIC provide?
EBT for foods (milk, eggs, produce), $9–$52/month CVB, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and healthcare referrals.
This guide is based on 2025 federal and California Department of Public Health guidelines. Verify details with CDPH WIC for accuracy.