District of Columbia WIC Income Limits
Updated August 2026
To qualify for WIC in District of Columbia, 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 District of Columbia-specific programs that qualify you without extra paperwork.
District of Columbia 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 District of Columbia 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 DC
If anyone in your household already participates in DC Healthy Families (the District's Medicaid managed care program), SNAP, TANF, or the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Program, you automatically meet WIC's income requirement — no separate income documentation needed. Bring your current benefit notice or card showing your case number to your appointment instead of pay stubs, and your application can move faster. Children in foster care are automatically income-eligible for WIC regardless of household income.
What Counts as Income in DC
DC 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. If your household doesn't participate in one of the automatic-eligibility programs above, bring your two most recent pay stubs or other proof of income to your appointment.
Income Is Not the Only Requirement
Falling under the income limit is one part of qualifying — DC WIC also requires a nutritional risk finding from a WIC health professional at your free appointment, which nearly all applicants meet in some form; being pregnant alone qualifies. A pregnant person counts as two household members (herself and her unborn child) when income eligibility is calculated, which can move a family into a more favorable bracket. It's worth applying even if your income looks close to the limit.
District of Columbia Income Limit Questions
Do I automatically qualify for WIC if I receive DC Healthy Families or SNAP?
Yes. If anyone in your household participates in DC Healthy Families, SNAP, TANF, or free or reduced-price school meals, you automatically meet WIC's income requirement — bring documentation of that enrollment to your appointment instead of pay stubs.
Does my unborn baby count as a household member?
Yes. A pregnant person counts as two people (herself and her unborn child) when DC 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 from 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 in DC?
No. Income eligibility is one requirement — DC WIC also requires a nutritional risk determination made by a WIC health professional at your free certification appointment.
Helpful Resources
District of Columbia WIC Program
Contact information, benefits, and how the District of Columbia WIC program works.
Learn more →How to Apply for District of Columbia WIC
Step-by-step instructions, required documents, and what to expect at your District of Columbia WIC appointment.
Learn more →District of Columbia WIC Approved Foods
See what you can buy with your District of Columbia WIC benefits, from milk and eggs to fruits and vegetables.
Learn more →Find a District of Columbia WIC Clinic
Locate WIC clinic offices near you in District of Columbia, with addresses and phone numbers by city.
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