WIC: Nutrition Help for Pregnant Women, New Moms, and Kids

What WIC is

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides nutritious food, breastfeeding support, and health screenings for:

• Pregnant women
• Postpartum women (up to 6 months after birth)
• Breastfeeding women (up to 1 year after birth)
• Infants and children up to age 5

WIC reaches nearly half of all infants born in the U.S.

Need help finding your local WIC office? Call the USDA National Hunger Hotline at 1-866-348-6479 (1-877-842-6273 en español).

What you get

WIC provides specific nutritious foods — not cash. The food package is designed by nutritionists and varies by category, but typically includes:

• Iron-fortified infant formula (for non-breastfed babies)
• Iron-fortified cereals
• Vitamin C-rich juice
• Eggs
• Milk (whole milk for kids 12–23 months, low-fat after 2)
• Cheese, yogurt
• Whole-grain bread or tortillas
• Fresh, canned, or frozen fruits and vegetables
• Dried beans, peanut butter, canned fish

You shop with a WIC EBT card at participating grocery stores. The card only works for approved foods — there's no money to use elsewhere.

Plus support services

• Nutrition counseling with a registered dietitian
• Breastfeeding support — peer counselors, lactation consultants, breast pumps
• Health screenings and referrals
• Immunization screening referrals

Who qualifies

Three requirements:

1. Categorical: You're pregnant, postpartum, breastfeeding, an infant, or a child under 5.
2. Income: At or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Level ($59,478 for a family of 3 in 2026). Most families on Medicaid, SNAP, or TANF automatically qualify regardless of income.
3. Nutritional risk: Determined by a brief health screening — most applicants meet this since "nutritional risk" includes things like underweight, anemia, or simply being a teen mother.

How to apply

1. Find your local WIC clinic at signupwic.com or call your state WIC office.
2. Schedule an appointment. WIC is administered locally — you'll need to apply in person or via video call.
3. Bring documents: photo ID, proof of address, proof of income, and the family member who will be receiving WIC (so the child or baby comes with you).
4. Get certified. A WIC nutritionist will review your eligibility and load benefits onto your EBT card.

The first appointment usually takes about an hour. Recertification happens every 6–12 months.

WIC vs. SNAP

You can get both at the same time. SNAP gives you a monthly budget for any food. WIC gives you specific nutritious foods on top of that. Many families use both.

A note from us

WIC is one of the easiest programs to qualify for and gets overlooked all the time. If you have or are expecting a child, it's worth the appointment. A team members know your closest WIC clinic and what to bring. Call (844) 572-3682 and we'll tell you where to go.