WIC — Food Help for Pregnant Parents & Kids Under 5
WIC (Women, Infants, Children) is a federal program that provides free groceries, formula, breastfeeding support, and nutrition counseling. If you’re pregnant, just had a baby, or have kids under 5, you likely qualify — and it’s not tied to SNAP or public-charge rules.
Updated 2026 · USDA Food and Nutrition Service · Find a WIC office near you →
Who qualifies
WIC serves four categories of people. If you’re in any of them, apply — the income limits are generous (185% of the federal poverty level, or about $4,775/month for a family of four in 2025).
- Pregnant women (any trimester)
- Postpartum women — up to 6 months after delivery
- Breastfeeding women — up to 1 year after delivery
- Infants and children up to age 5
Automatic eligibility — if you already receive SNAP, Medicaid, or TANF, you automatically meet WIC’s income requirements. Just bring proof of the other benefit.
What WIC gives you
WIC is not cash — it’s specific food items loaded onto an EBT card or paper vouchers (state-dependent). Typical monthly package for a family includes:
- Milk, cheese, eggs
- Whole grain bread, brown rice, oatmeal
- Fresh fruits and vegetables (cash value benefit — $11–$25/month per participant)
- Peanut butter, dried beans, canned fish
- Infant formula (if not breastfeeding) — specific approved brands
- Baby food for older infants
The food package is designed by USDA nutritionists to fill specific nutritional gaps common in young-child households — iron, calcium, vitamin D, folic acid.
What to bring to your first appointment
- Photo ID for yourself (driver’s license, state ID, passport, matrícula consular)
- Proof of address (utility bill, lease, a letter from someone you live with)
- Proof of income (1 month of pay stubs, SNAP/Medicaid/TANF card, or unemployment letter)
- Each child who’ll be enrolled — they come with you to the appointment
- Immunization records for your children (the clinic will review and help you catch up if needed)
WIC and immigration status
WIC is not a public-charge benefit. Using WIC does not hurt a green-card application or visa status for you OR for your children. This has been federal policy since 2019 and is reaffirmed in the 2022 DHS rule.
WIC staff also don’t ask about or report immigration status. A child born in the U.S. to non-citizen parents can receive WIC regardless of the parent’s status.
Where to go
WIC is run at the state and tribal level with local clinics. To find your nearest WIC office:
- Search your ZIP on our map with “WIC” mode selected
- Or go to the USDA state directory: fns.usda.gov/wic/contacts
- Or call 211 and ask for WIC — they know every local clinic
Find a WIC office near you
Enter your ZIP. We’ll show the nearest clinics with hours and phone.
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