California WIC Income Limits
Updated August 2026
To qualify for WIC in California, 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 California-specific programs that qualify you without extra paperwork.
California 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 California from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027.
| Household Size | Annual | Monthly | Twice-Monthly | Bi-Weekly | Weekly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $29,526 | $2,461 | $1,231 | $1,136 | $568 |
| 2 | $40,034 | $3,337 | $1,669 | $1,540 | $770 |
| 3 | $50,542 | $4,212 | $2,106 | $1,944 | $972 |
| 4 | $61,050 | $5,088 | $2,544 | $2,349 | $1,175 |
| 5 | $71,558 | $5,964 | $2,982 | $2,753 | $1,377 |
| 6 | $82,066 | $6,839 | $3,420 | $3,157 | $1,579 |
| 7 | $92,574 | $7,715 | $3,858 | $3,561 | $1,781 |
| 8 | $103,082 | $8,591 | $4,296 | $3,965 | $1,983 |
| Each additional member | +$10,508 | +$876 | +$438 | +$405 | +$203 |
Household of 1
- Annual
- $29,526
- Monthly
- $2,461
- Twice-Monthly
- $1,231
- Bi-Weekly
- $1,136
- Weekly
- $568
Household of 2
- Annual
- $40,034
- Monthly
- $3,337
- Twice-Monthly
- $1,669
- Bi-Weekly
- $1,540
- Weekly
- $770
Household of 3
- Annual
- $50,542
- Monthly
- $4,212
- Twice-Monthly
- $2,106
- Bi-Weekly
- $1,944
- Weekly
- $972
Household of 4
- Annual
- $61,050
- Monthly
- $5,088
- Twice-Monthly
- $2,544
- Bi-Weekly
- $2,349
- Weekly
- $1,175
Household of 5
- Annual
- $71,558
- Monthly
- $5,964
- Twice-Monthly
- $2,982
- Bi-Weekly
- $2,753
- Weekly
- $1,377
Household of 6
- Annual
- $82,066
- Monthly
- $6,839
- Twice-Monthly
- $3,420
- Bi-Weekly
- $3,157
- Weekly
- $1,579
Household of 7
- Annual
- $92,574
- Monthly
- $7,715
- Twice-Monthly
- $3,858
- Bi-Weekly
- $3,561
- Weekly
- $1,781
Household of 8
- Annual
- $103,082
- Monthly
- $8,591
- Twice-Monthly
- $4,296
- Bi-Weekly
- $3,965
- Weekly
- $1,983
Each Additional Member
- Annual
- +$10,508
- Monthly
- +$876
- Twice-Monthly
- +$438
- Bi-Weekly
- +$405
- Weekly
- +$203
Source: USDA Food and Nutrition Administration
Automatic Income Eligibility in California
If anyone in your household already participates in Medi-Cal, CalFresh, CalWORKs, or FDPIR, you automatically meet WIC's income requirement. Bring your Medi-Cal card, CalFresh notice, or CalWORKs documentation to your appointment instead of pay stubs, and your application can move faster.
What Counts as Income in California
California WIC counts gross household income before taxes — wages, self-employment earnings, Social Security payments, child support, alimony, unemployment benefits, and military pay including housing allowances. CalFresh benefits, housing assistance, and tax refunds are not counted.
Income Is Not the Only Requirement
Falling under the income limit is one part of qualifying — California WIC also requires a nutritional risk finding from a WIC health professional at your free appointment, which nearly all applicants meet in some form. You can get an early read on eligibility using the pre-screener at myfamily.wic.ca.gov before contacting a local office.
California Income Limit Questions
Do I automatically qualify for WIC if I receive Medi-Cal or CalFresh?
Yes. If anyone in your household participates in Medi-Cal, CalFresh, or CalWORKs, you automatically meet WIC's income requirement — just bring documentation of that enrollment to your appointment instead of pay stubs.
Does my unborn baby count as a household member?
Yes. A pregnant woman counts as two people (herself and her unborn child) when California WIC calculates household size, which can move you into a more favorable income bracket.
What if my household's income is slightly above the limit?
It's still worth applying. Income can be calculated based on recent pay stubs rather than a full year, and factors like household size or a pregnancy can change your eligibility.
Is meeting the income limit enough to qualify for WIC?
No. Income eligibility is one requirement — California WIC also requires a nutritional risk determination made by a WIC health professional at your free certification appointment.
Helpful Resources
California WIC Program
Contact information, benefits, and how the California WIC program works.
Learn more →How to Apply for California WIC
Step-by-step instructions, required documents, and what to expect at your California WIC appointment.
Learn more →California WIC Approved Foods
See what you can buy with your California WIC benefits, from milk and eggs to fruits and vegetables.
Learn more →Find a California WIC Clinic
Locate WIC clinic offices near you in California, with addresses and phone numbers by city.
Learn more →