Colorado WIC provides monthly food benefits, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and healthcare referrals to low-income pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and children under 5. The program is administered by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and serves over 80,000 Colorado participants annually.
The income limit for WIC in Colorado is 185% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) — $2,413 per month for a household of one. If you already receive SNAP, Medicaid, or TANF, you automatically qualify for Colorado WIC without a separate income check.
Not sure if you qualify? Use the WIC eligibility calculator to check your household instantly.
Colorado WIC Income Limits 2026
These limits are effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026.
| Household Size | Monthly Income Limit | Annual Income Limit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2,413 | $28,953 |
| 2 | $3,260 | $39,128 |
| 3 | $4,109 | $49,303 |
| 4 | $4,957 | $59,478 |
| 5 | $5,805 | $69,653 |
| 6 | $6,652 | $79,828 |
| 7 | $7,500 | $90,003 |
| 8 | $8,348 | $100,178 |
| Each additional | +$848/month | +$10,175/year |
Income is gross (before taxes and deductions). If you receive SNAP, Medicaid, or TANF, these limits do not apply — you automatically qualify.
Pregnant women: Your unborn child counts as a household member. A single pregnant woman is counted as a household of two for income purposes — the limit becomes $3,260/month.
Who Qualifies for Colorado WIC?
You must meet all four requirements:
1. Categorical eligibility — You must be one of the following:
- Pregnant women (at any stage)
- Breastfeeding women (up to the baby’s first birthday)
- Postpartum women (up to 6 months after delivery if not breastfeeding; up to 12 months if breastfeeding)
- Infants (up to age 1)
- Children ages 1 through 4
2. Colorado residency — You must live in Colorado. No minimum length of residency required.
3. Income — Gross household income at or below 185% FPL (see table above). If you already receive SNAP, Medicaid, or TANF, you automatically meet this requirement — no income documents needed.
4. Nutritional risk — A WIC health professional must determine that you or your child has a nutritional risk factor. This is assessed free at your first clinic appointment and is almost always confirmed for eligible applicants. Qualifying risks include anemia, poor growth, inadequate dietary intake, gestational diabetes, lead exposure, obesity in children, or other conditions affecting nutritional status.
What Colorado WIC Benefits Include
Colorado WIC provides monthly EBT-loaded food benefits accepted at authorized retailers statewide — including King Soopers, Safeway, Walmart, and many other participating grocers. Benefits vary by participant category.
Monthly Food Benefits by Category
Pregnant and postpartum women (non-breastfeeding): Cereal ($11 value), milk (4 gallons), cheese (1 lb), eggs (1 dozen), beans or peanut butter ($10 value), fruits and vegetables Cash Value Benefit ($47/month), infant formula if not breastfeeding (24–32 oz).
Breastfeeding women: Same as pregnant/postpartum, with an increased Cash Value Benefit of $52/month for fruits and vegetables. No formula is issued for fully breastfeeding mothers.
Infants (birth to 12 months): Infant formula (24–32 oz), infant cereal (8–10 lbs for babies 6 months and older), baby food fruits and vegetables for babies 6 months and older. Fully breastfed infants receive jarred baby foods.
Children ages 1–4: Cereal ($6 value), milk (2 gallons), cheese (1 lb), eggs (1 dozen), beans or peanut butter ($5 value), fruits and vegetables Cash Value Benefit ($9/month), juice (64 oz).
Non-Food Benefits
Beyond the monthly food package, Colorado WIC provides:
- Nutrition education — 6 to 12 sessions per year, available online and in-person, covering healthy eating, meal planning, and managing a food budget
- Breastfeeding support — peer counseling, breast pumps, and lactation assistance
- Healthcare referrals — connections to medical and social services for your family
- Mobile and virtual clinics — serving rural communities, mountain towns, and tribal areas where traveling to a fixed clinic may be difficult
- Culturally tailored services — programming for Native American and Hispanic communities across the state
Automatic Eligibility — No Income Verification Needed
If any member of your household is currently enrolled in SNAP (food stamps), Medicaid, or TANF, you automatically qualify for WIC without providing income documents. This is called adjunctive eligibility.
Many Colorado families receive both WIC and SNAP simultaneously — WIC food benefits and SNAP benefits cover different food categories and can be used at the same stores. If you’re not yet enrolled in SNAP, use the Colorado SNAP benefit calculator to see whether your household qualifies, or compare the federal poverty level thresholds for SNAP and WIC side by side.
How to Apply for Colorado WIC
Step 1: Pre-screen your eligibility Visit colorado.gov/cdphe/wic or call 1-800-688-7777 to check eligibility and find your nearest clinic.
Step 2: Schedule a clinic appointment Colorado has more than 70 WIC clinic locations statewide, including virtual and phone appointment options. Mobile clinics serve rural, mountain, and tribal communities. Use the CDPHE clinic locator or call the helpline.
Step 3: Bring required documents
- Proof of income: pay stubs, most recent tax return, or SNAP/Medicaid/TANF award letter
- Proof of identity: Colorado ID, driver’s license, or passport
- Proof of Colorado residency: utility bill or lease agreement
- Health records if available; health screening is conducted at the clinic
Step 4: Attend your appointment The WIC screening includes height and weight measurement, a blood test to check for anemia, dietary assessment, and a nutritional risk determination by a health professional. Bring all household members who are applying.
Step 5: Receive your benefits If approved, your WIC EBT card is issued the same day and benefits are available immediately.
Processing Time
Initial application: Same-day certification when all documents are presented.
Recertification: Every 6 months for pregnant and breastfeeding women; every 12 months for children.
Expedited cases: Immediate certification for high-risk situations such as low birthweight infants or high-risk pregnancies.
If Your Income Is Over the Colorado WIC Limit
If your income exceeds 185% FPL, several other programs may still provide food assistance:
SNAP (food stamps): SNAP uses a gross income limit of 130% FPL — $1,768/month for a single person in Colorado. If your income falls between the SNAP and WIC thresholds, you may qualify for WIC but not SNAP. Use the food benefit eligibility tool to check your household. See how to apply for food stamps in Colorado for step-by-step instructions.
Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP): For adults aged 60 and older at or below 130% FPL. Provides monthly food packages.
Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program: WIC-eligible families may receive additional vouchers — typically $20 to $50 per season — to purchase fresh produce at participating Colorado farmers markets.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Colorado WIC income limits for 2026?
The Colorado WIC income limit for 2026 is 185% FPL — $2,413/month for a single person and $4,957/month for a family of four. These limits are effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. SNAP, Medicaid, and TANF recipients automatically qualify without proving income.
Does Colorado WIC have an asset limit?
No. Colorado WIC eligibility is based entirely on gross income and nutritional risk. Savings, vehicles, a home, and other assets have no effect on eligibility.
Can I get WIC and SNAP at the same time in Colorado?
Yes — and SNAP enrollment automatically qualifies you for WIC without a separate income check. WIC covers specific food categories while SNAP covers a broader range of groceries, and both can be used at the same authorized retailers. See what you’re allowed to purchase with an EBT card for a full breakdown of covered items.
Does Colorado WIC serve rural and mountain communities?
Yes — CDPHE operates mobile clinics and virtual appointment options specifically for families in rural areas, mountain towns, and communities far from a fixed WIC clinic location. Call 1-800-688-7777 to ask about the nearest service option in your area.
How do I find a Colorado WIC clinic near me?
Call 1-800-688-7777 or visit colorado.gov/cdphe/wic to use the CDPHE clinic locator. Colorado has more than 70 WIC clinic locations and also offers virtual and phone appointments.
What counts as income for Colorado WIC?
Gross income includes wages, self-employment earnings, unemployment benefits, child support, alimony, Social Security payments, and pension income. Military Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) may also be counted. Income is calculated before taxes and deductions — childcare and dependent care costs are not subtracted.
Colorado WIC income guidelines are effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. Source: USDA Food and Nutrition Service and Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Verify current details with CDPHE WIC at 1-800-688-7777 or colorado.gov/cdphe/wic.