Are You Eligible for WIC? Here's How to Find Out

Programs like WIC help families afford nutritious food.

With today's high cost of living and soaring inflation, it can be a challenge to afford everyday essentials. Regular trips to the grocery store can drain your checking account balance. For low-income mothers with young children, it can be even more difficult to afford everyday expenses. Soon-to-be mothers and women with young children who qualify for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) can get financial assistance to buy eligible nutrition items. Find out what you need to know to determine if you qualify for this program.

WIC helps moms, babies, and young children

WIC is a federally funded program that helps millions of families throughout the U.S. The program is available to low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women and their infants and children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk.

The following benefits are available to program participants:

• Supplemental nutritious food
• Nutrition education and counseling
• Breastfeeding support
• Screening and referrals to health, welfare, and social services

Interested women must apply and meet the eligibility requirements. State agencies determine eligibility and provide benefits and services to participants.

Program eligibility requirements

If you struggle to afford nutritious food and drinks for yourself, your baby, or your child, you may want to apply for WIC benefits. All applicants must meet categorical, residential, income, and nutrition-risk requirements to qualify.

Categorical requirement

The following individuals are considered categorically eligible for WIC:

• Pregnant women (during pregnancy and up to six weeks after the birth of an infant or the end of the pregnancy)
• Postpartum women (up to six months after the birth of the infant or the end of the pregnancy)
• Breastfeeding women (up to the infant's first birthday)
• Infants (up to the infant's first birthday)
• Children (up to the child's fifth birthday)

Residential requirement

Applicants must live in the state in which they apply. For applicants in areas where WIC is administered by an Indian Tribal Organization (ITO), they must meet the residency requirements established by the ITO.

Income requirement

Applicants must also meet the income requirements. Each state agency's income standard must be between 100% of the federal poverty guidelines and not exceed 185% of the federal poverty guidelines. If you're a low-income household, you may qualify for benefits.

Nutrition-risk requirement

Applicants must also be seen by a health professional to determine whether they're at nutrition risk. An individual is at a nutritional risk if they have medical-based or dietary-based conditions. In most cases, applicants can visit a WIC clinic at no cost to determine this.

How to apply for benefits and learn more about WIC

If you're interested in learning more or want to apply for benefits, you can contact your local or state WIC agency to schedule an appointment. Applicants should bring documentation that helps show their eligibility -- so be sure to ask what you need to bring. Not sure if you meet the eligibility requirements? The United States Department of Agriculture also has an online WIC prescreening tool that can be used to gauge whether you might qualify for benefits.

Don't be afraid to use resources like this

If you're struggling financially, please know that you're not alone. Life gets more expensive every day, and many families struggle to afford living costs while trying to tackle essential personal finance goals. Don't be embarrassed to utilize resources like this; they exist for a reason. Programs like WIC can help reduce your everyday living expenses and ensure you and your children get the necessary nutritional support.