# WIC program for mothers and children: who qualifies, income limits and how to apply

WIC for pregnant women, new mothers and children under 5: income limits from July 1, 2026, documents to bring, eWIC, formula and public charge.

The WIC program for mothers and children is a USDA nutrition program for pregnant women, women who recently gave birth, breastfeeding women, infants and children under 5. It provides foods on an eWIC card, infant formula, nutrition counseling and breastfeeding support at no cost. To qualify you need income at or below the limit, to live in the area where you apply, and a free health check by WIC staff. This guide covers who qualifies, the income limits in effect from July 1, 2026, how to sign up, and how WIC now counts when you apply for a green card.

## Who can get WIC

USDA's eligibility page lists these groups:

- pregnant women;
- postpartum women, up to 6 months after the end of a pregnancy;
- breastfeeding women, up to the infant's first birthday;
- infants;
- children up to their fifth birthday.

A father, grandparent, foster parent or guardian can apply for a child too: USDA refers to "children in your care" and names becoming a foster parent among the life changes that can affect eligibility.

The federal page lists four requirements: being in one of those groups, living in the area where you apply, income, and a nutrition assessment. Citizenship and immigration status are not on that list. If your state has added rules, your local WIC office will tell you.

## WIC income limits for 2026-2027

WIC counts gross household income, before taxes and deductions, and it must be at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. Your household is everyone you live with and share income and expenses with, including children, people you are not related to, students away at college and service members on active duty. A pregnant woman increases the household size by one for each expected birth.

| Household size | Annual | Monthly | Weekly |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $29,526 | $2,461 | $568 |
| 2 | $40,034 | $3,337 | $770 |
| 3 | $50,542 | $4,212 | $972 |
| 4 | $61,050 | $5,088 | $1,175 |
| 5 | $71,558 | $5,964 | $1,377 |
| 6 | $82,066 | $6,839 | $1,579 |
| 7 | $92,574 | $7,715 | $1,781 |
| 8 | $103,082 | $8,591 | $1,983 |
| Each additional person | +$10,508 | +$876 | +$203 |

These limits run from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027. Income limits checked November 4, 2026 on fna.usda.gov.

These are the maximum limits. Most states use them, but a state may set a lower one. Income includes wages and tips, Social Security, child support and alimony, unemployment benefits, workers' compensation, retirement payments and disability benefits. Loans and non-cash assistance do not count.

If you or your children already receive SNAP, Medicaid or TANF, you may already be income eligible and can skip the math. We cover those programs in [SNAP for immigrants](/en/immigration/snap-food-assistance-immigrants) and [Medicaid and Obamacare for immigrants](/en/immigration/medicaid-obamacare-for-immigrants).

## What WIC gives you

**Food.** Each month WIC provides a set of foods that depends on who the participant is: a pregnant woman, a breastfeeding mother, an infant or a child. USDA lists fresh fruits and vegetables, baby food, milk, eggs, cheese, beans, iron-fortified infant and adult cereal, peanut butter, canned fish, whole wheat bread, tofu and soy beverages. You buy them with the eWIC card, which works like a debit card at WIC-approved grocery stores and farmers' markets.

**Infant formula.** For mothers who do not fully breastfeed, WIC provides iron-fortified formula. Special formulas and medical foods are available when a doctor prescribes them for a specific condition. Each state agency has a rebate contract with one formula maker, so the brand you get is the one your state has a contract with, and it differs from state to state.

**Nutrition counseling.** One-on-one sessions with nutrition staff: shopping advice, meal planning, picky eaters, food allergies.

**Breastfeeding support** from trained staff, and **referrals** to medical and mental health care, food banks and other local services.

The separate WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program gives participants extra coupons for fresh fruits and vegetables at participating farmers' markets.

## How to apply for WIC

1. **Check eligibility** with USDA's tool on the [WIC eligibility page](https://www.fna.usda.gov/wic/eligibility).
2. **Contact your local WIC agency** by phone or online. Find it by choosing your state on the [how to apply for WIC page](https://www.fna.usda.gov/wic/apply). USDA says services are given at clinic locations such as county health departments, hospitals and schools.
3. **Go to your appointment**, in person or by video. The office tells you beforehand which documents to have ready.
4. **Have the nutrition assessment.** A health professional such as a doctor, nutritionist or nurse checks for things like anemia, underweight or past pregnancy complications. It is free and required.

If a local agency is full, openings go by priority, starting with pregnant women, breastfeeding women and infants with serious medical problems.

## Documents to bring to a WIC appointment

| What | Examples |
|---|---|
| Each person enrolling | Babies and children under 5 come too |
| ID for each person | Driver's license or state ID, passport, birth certificate, employer or school ID, health benefits card, crib card |
| Proof of address | A recent bill showing your current address |
| SNAP, Medicaid or TANF enrollment | Proof that you are enrolled |
| Or proof of income | Recent paychecks, your latest tax return, a letter from your employer |

USDA lists "passport" without naming a country; ask your office whether a foreign one works. For a baby born in the US, the birth certificate is the simplest ID. Our guide to [having a baby in the USA](/en/immigration/having-a-baby-in-usa) covers the first documents.

## WIC and public charge for green card applicants

The rules changed in 2026. Public charge is a ground on which USCIS can deny a green card if it decides a person is likely to depend on government support.

USCIS says that for means-tested benefits received before September 18, 2026, it considers only cash assistance for income maintenance and long-term institutionalization at government expense. For means-tested benefits received on or after September 18, 2026, it considers any and all benefits. This applies to Form I-485 filings postmarked or submitted on or after that date.

USCIS addresses WIC directly in its Policy Manual (Volume 8, Part G). In its examples, WIC received before September 18, 2026 is not considered. WIC received on or after September 18, 2026 is considered in the totality of the circumstances: the officer looks at the reason (such as a pregnancy), how recent it was and the value of the benefits. Applications for benefits filed, approved or certified on or after that date are considered too. USCIS says receipt of benefits alone is not a sufficient basis for a public charge finding. Pregnancy does not exempt anyone, but an officer may take its temporary nature into account.

Also from USCIS:

- People exempt from public charge are not reviewed under it. USCIS lists exempt groups including refugees and asylees, TPS applicants, T and U nonimmigrants and VAWA self-petitioners.
- If a child you are legally obligated to support receives a benefit because your income is below the program's threshold, the officer considers that your income is below that threshold. USCIS gives this example for free school lunches.

If you plan to file for a family or employment green card and you receive WIC or want to, talk to an immigration attorney before you file. Our [immigration lawyer directory](/en/directory/lawyers) is a place to start.

## When WIC is not the answer

Children age 5 and older are outside WIC; look at SNAP and school meals instead. WIC does not replace prenatal care, though it refers you to it; you can look for a pediatrician or OB-GYN in our [doctor directory](/en/directory/doctors). For everyone else, the next step is to pick your state at fna.usda.gov/wic/apply and call the nearest WIC office.

## Questions people ask

### Can I get WIC without a green card?

USDA's federal eligibility page names four requirements: being pregnant, postpartum, breastfeeding, an infant or a child under 5; living in the area where you apply; income at or below the limit; and a free nutrition assessment. Citizenship and immigration status are not among them. If your state has added rules, your local WIC office will tell you.

### What income do I need for WIC in 2026?

Gross household income must be at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. From July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027 that is up to $50,542 a year for a household of three and $61,050 for four. A pregnant woman counts each expected baby. People on SNAP, Medicaid or TANF usually meet the income test already.

### Will WIC affect my green card application?

From September 18, 2026, USCIS considers any means-tested benefit received from that date in a public charge review, and its Policy Manual treats WIC received after that date as something the officer considers. WIC received earlier is not considered. An officer weighs it with age, health, family status, finances, education, and the reason, recency and value of the benefits. Refugees, asylees and some other groups are exempt. Talk to an immigration attorney before filing Form I-485.

### Can I choose my formula brand with WIC?

Usually not. Each state WIC agency is required by law to have a competitively bid rebate contract with one formula maker, so participants get that brand. Special formulas and medical foods are provided when a doctor prescribes them for a specific medical condition.


## Sources

- [WIC Eligibility, USDA Food and Nutrition Administration](https://www.fna.usda.gov/wic/eligibility)
- [WIC Frequently Asked Questions, USDA](https://www.fna.usda.gov/wic/faqs)
- [How to Apply for WIC, USDA](https://www.fna.usda.gov/wic/apply)
- [WIC Benefits, USDA](https://www.fna.usda.gov/wic/benefits)
- [WIC Program Fact Sheet, USDA](https://www.fna.usda.gov/sites/default/files/resource-files/wic-factsheet-2022.pdf)
- [USCIS Issues Guidance on Making Public Charge Inadmissibility Determination](https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-issues-guidance-on-making-public-charge-inadmissibility-determination)
- [USCIS Policy Manual, Volume 8, Part G, Chapter 7: Means-Tested Public Benefits](https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-8-part-g-chapter-7)
- [USCIS Policy Manual, Volume 8, Part G, Chapter 10: Adjudicating Public Charge Inadmissibility](https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-8-part-g-chapter-10)

Page: https://www.russiansinusa.com/en/immigration/wic-program-mothers-children
Facts checked: 2026-11-04