How to apply for WIC in 3 steps

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, & Children (WIC) helps millions of families access healthy food and nutrition support during pregnancy and early childhood. It’s a special benefit program meant to help people who are pregnant or caring for young children.

WIC supports a wide range of families, whether you're married, single, working, or not working. You may qualify for WIC if you are:

• Pregnant
• A new parent (up to 6 months after giving birth)
• Breastfeeding or nursing (up to your baby's first birthday)
• The primary caregiver for any kids under 5, including foster children and grandchildren

Already receive Medicaid, SNAP, or TANF? You automatically meet WIC's income requirements.

If you aren’t already getting other government benefits, you need to show that your income meets WIC guidelines. The income limits are higher than you might expect—a family of four can qualify for WIC with an income of up to $57,720 per year.

Step 1. Start your WIC application online—even if you’re not sure you qualify#step-1-start-your-wic-application-onlineeven-if-youre-not-sure-you-qualify

The easiest way to begin your WIC journey is through your state's website:

• Visit your state health agency website to find the WIC section
• Look for an online form to submit your initial application or interest
• These forms may be called "interest forms," "pre-screening tools," or "eligibility checkers"
• Fill out the basic information requested—this typically takes just a few minutes

Most states now offer these preliminary application forms that either assess your eligibility right away or connect you with your local WIC office for next steps.

Tip: For tribal communities or U.S. territories, check the appropriate health agency website for similar application options.

How do I know if I’m eligible for WIC?#how-do-i-know-if-im-eligible-for-wic

Most people qualify for WIC automatically if they're already enrolled in Medicaid, SNAP, or TANF. This is the fastest way to get approved.

If you're not enrolled in these programs, your WIC office will check if your income falls within these guidelines:

WIC income eligibility guidelines from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025:

Step 2. Gather any necessary documents ahead of your WIC appointment#step-2-gather-any-necessary-documents-ahead-of-your-wic-appointment

Your WIC office will let you know what information or documents you need for your appointment, but generally come prepared with:

• IDs, like a state ID card, passport, or driver’s license
• Proof of address, like a lease, rental agreement, or piece of official mail
• Proof of income (if you’re not enrolled in SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid).

Many offices can verify your enrollment in other benefit programs electronically, reducing the amount of paperwork you have to complete.

Step 3. Attend your WIC appointment#step-3-attend-your-wic-appointment

Some WIC offices offer phone or telehealth enrollment appointments, while others require in-person visits. Contact your local WIC office to learn about options in your area.

During your first appointment, WIC staff will review your information, conduct a nutrition assessment, and discuss your health needs. They may use things like blood test results from your healthcare provider, or perform these screenings during your visit if needed.

Regardless of how you enroll, WIC keeps your personal information confidential.

How long does it take to start getting WIC benefits?#how-long-does-it-take-to-start-getting-wic-benefits

If you qualify for WIC, you can get benefits the same day you apply at many WIC offices. Enrolling in WIC gets you:

• Monthly food benefits loaded onto an “eWIC card” worth an average of $60 a month per family
• One-on-one nutrition advice & breastfeeding support tailored to your needs, including breast pumps
• Health screenings for pregnant and new parents, infants, and children
• Referrals and connections to services like Medicaid, SNAP, Head Start, and other services in your community

Your eWIC card works just like an EBT or debit card. It will be loaded with money each month that you can only use on grocery items in your unique WIC food package.

Don’t worry about feeling restricted by your food package—you can pick which brands and products work best for your family and shop at over 47,000 WIC-approved grocery stores nationwide like Target and Whole Foods. Just talk to your WIC staff if you need to make changes to your WIC foods due to allergies or dietary needs.

Once enrolled, most WIC participants have appointments every two to three months to check in on how the program is working for you and your family.

Renewing your WIC benefits#renewing-your-wic-benefits

WIC helps with nutrition during key developmental periods for you and your children. Benefits are issued for a certain amount of time, so you'll need to renew them when your eligibility period ends.

Don’t worry about scheduling your renewal appointment—your WIC staff will take care of this during one of your regular appointments, usually a few months before your current eligibility period ends.

Keep your WIC office updated if your address or phone number changes, there are any new pregnancies in your household, if a child under age five joins your family, or if you stop breastfeeding so that you don’t miss out on any important notices and get the most out of your benefits.