District of Columbia WIC Income Limits
Updated September 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.
Quick Answer
To qualify for District of Columbia WIC, your household's gross income must fall at or below 185% of the federal poverty guidelines — or you qualify automatically if you're already enrolled in Medicaid, SNAP, or TANF. See the table below for exact limits by household size, effective July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027.
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.
Compare Other States
WIC income limits are set state by state. These share District of Columbia's census region — useful if you're moving, or comparing how another state runs the same program.
Helpful Guides
What Is WIC?
An overview of the WIC program, who administers it, and how it works.
Learn more →WIC Eligibility
The four requirements to qualify for WIC — categorical status, income, nutritional risk, and residency.
Learn more →WIC vs SNAP
Compare who qualifies, what benefits are provided, and whether you can receive both programs.
Learn more →WIC Income Limits
See the current household income limits to qualify for WIC, and what counts as income.
Learn more →WIC Benefit Amounts
The exact dollar and quantity breakdown of the monthly WIC food package by participant category.
Learn more →WIC EBT Card
How to use your WIC EBT card at the store, check your balance, and what to do if it's declined.
Learn more →WIC Approved Foods
Browse WIC-covered foods by category, from milk and eggs to fruits, vegetables, and formula.
Learn more →Find a WIC Clinic
Search WIC clinic locations by state and city, with addresses and phone numbers.
Learn more →WIC Recertification
When your WIC certification expires, what to bring to your renewal appointment, and how to avoid a gap in benefits.
Learn more →