WIC Program

Alaska WIC Income Limits

Updated August 2026

To qualify for WIC in Alaska, your household's income needs to fall at or below the limits shown below — or you may qualify automatically if you're already enrolled in a program like Medicaid or SNAP. See "Automatic Income Eligibility" below for the Alaska-specific programs that qualify you without extra paperwork.

Alaska WIC Income Guidelines

WIC compares your household's gross income against 185% of the federal poverty guidelines, updated annually by the USDA. These guidelines apply in Alaska from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027.

Household of 1

Annual
$36,908
Monthly
$3,076
Twice-Monthly
$1,538
Bi-Weekly
$1,420
Weekly
$710

Household of 2

Annual
$50,043
Monthly
$4,171
Twice-Monthly
$2,086
Bi-Weekly
$1,925
Weekly
$963

Household of 3

Annual
$63,178
Monthly
$5,265
Twice-Monthly
$2,633
Bi-Weekly
$2,430
Weekly
$1,215

Household of 4

Annual
$76,313
Monthly
$6,360
Twice-Monthly
$3,180
Bi-Weekly
$2,936
Weekly
$1,468

Household of 5

Annual
$89,448
Monthly
$7,454
Twice-Monthly
$3,727
Bi-Weekly
$3,441
Weekly
$1,721

Household of 6

Annual
$102,583
Monthly
$8,549
Twice-Monthly
$4,275
Bi-Weekly
$3,946
Weekly
$1,973

Household of 7

Annual
$115,718
Monthly
$9,644
Twice-Monthly
$4,822
Bi-Weekly
$4,451
Weekly
$2,226

Household of 8

Annual
$128,853
Monthly
$10,738
Twice-Monthly
$5,369
Bi-Weekly
$4,956
Weekly
$2,478

Each Additional Member

Annual
+$13,135
Monthly
+$1,095
Twice-Monthly
+$548
Bi-Weekly
+$506
Weekly
+$253

Source: USDA Food and Nutrition Administration

Automatic Income Eligibility in Alaska

If anyone in your household already participates in SNAP, Medicaid, Denali KidCare (Alaska's children's health coverage program), or the Alaska Temporary Assistance Program (ATAP), you automatically meet WIC's income requirement. Bring your current card or enrollment notice for any of those programs to your appointment instead of pay stubs, and your application can move faster.

What Counts as Income in Alaska

Alaska WIC counts gross household income before taxes — wages, self-employment earnings, Social Security payments, child support, alimony, unemployment benefits, and military pay. SNAP benefits, housing assistance, and tax refunds are not counted. A pregnant woman counts as two people (herself and her unborn child) when household size is calculated, which can move a household into a more favorable income bracket.

Alaska Has Its Own Income Guidelines

Because Alaska has a significantly higher cost of living than the 48 contiguous states, the federal government sets a separate, higher poverty guideline for Alaska, and WIC uses that Alaska-specific table to determine income eligibility here — not the guidelines used on the mainland. That means a household can earn more in Alaska and still qualify than an identical household would in most other states.

Income Is Not the Only Requirement

Falling under the income limit is one part of qualifying — Alaska WIC also requires a nutritional risk finding from a WIC health professional at your free appointment, which nearly all applicants meet in some form. Household size or a pregnancy can also shift where you land on the income table, so it's worth applying even if you're close to the limit.

Alaska Income Limit Questions

Do I automatically qualify for WIC if I receive SNAP or Medicaid in Alaska?

Yes. If anyone in your household participates in SNAP, Medicaid, Denali KidCare, or ATAP, you automatically meet WIC's income requirement — bring documentation of that enrollment to your appointment instead of pay stubs.

Why are Alaska's WIC income limits different from the mainland?

Alaska has its own federally recognized poverty guidelines, reflecting the state's higher cost of living. WIC eligibility in Alaska is based on this Alaska-specific income table rather than the guidelines used in the 48 contiguous states.

Does my unborn baby count as a household member?

Yes. A pregnant woman counts as two people — herself and her unborn child — when Alaska WIC calculates household size, which can move you into a more favorable income bracket.

Is meeting the income limit enough to qualify for WIC in Alaska?

No. Income eligibility is one requirement — Alaska WIC also requires a nutritional risk determination made by a WIC health professional at your free certification appointment.

Helpful Resources