Hawaii WIC Income Limits
Updated August 2026
To qualify for WIC in Hawaii, 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 Hawaii-specific programs that qualify you without extra paperwork.
Hawaii 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 Hawaii from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027.
| Household Size | Annual | Monthly | Twice-Monthly | Bi-Weekly | Weekly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $33,966 | $2,831 | $1,416 | $1,307 | $654 |
| 2 | $46,047 | $3,838 | $1,919 | $1,772 | $886 |
| 3 | $58,127 | $4,844 | $2,422 | $2,236 | $1,118 |
| 4 | $70,208 | $5,851 | $2,926 | $2,701 | $1,351 |
| 5 | $82,288 | $6,858 | $3,429 | $3,165 | $1,583 |
| 6 | $94,369 | $7,865 | $3,933 | $3,630 | $1,815 |
| 7 | $106,449 | $8,871 | $4,436 | $4,095 | $2,048 |
| 8 | $118,530 | $9,878 | $4,939 | $4,559 | $2,280 |
| Each additional member | +$12,081 | +$1,007 | +$504 | +$465 | +$233 |
Household of 1
- Annual
- $33,966
- Monthly
- $2,831
- Twice-Monthly
- $1,416
- Bi-Weekly
- $1,307
- Weekly
- $654
Household of 2
- Annual
- $46,047
- Monthly
- $3,838
- Twice-Monthly
- $1,919
- Bi-Weekly
- $1,772
- Weekly
- $886
Household of 3
- Annual
- $58,127
- Monthly
- $4,844
- Twice-Monthly
- $2,422
- Bi-Weekly
- $2,236
- Weekly
- $1,118
Household of 4
- Annual
- $70,208
- Monthly
- $5,851
- Twice-Monthly
- $2,926
- Bi-Weekly
- $2,701
- Weekly
- $1,351
Household of 5
- Annual
- $82,288
- Monthly
- $6,858
- Twice-Monthly
- $3,429
- Bi-Weekly
- $3,165
- Weekly
- $1,583
Household of 6
- Annual
- $94,369
- Monthly
- $7,865
- Twice-Monthly
- $3,933
- Bi-Weekly
- $3,630
- Weekly
- $1,815
Household of 7
- Annual
- $106,449
- Monthly
- $8,871
- Twice-Monthly
- $4,436
- Bi-Weekly
- $4,095
- Weekly
- $2,048
Household of 8
- Annual
- $118,530
- Monthly
- $9,878
- Twice-Monthly
- $4,939
- Bi-Weekly
- $4,559
- Weekly
- $2,280
Each Additional Member
- Annual
- +$12,081
- Monthly
- +$1,007
- Twice-Monthly
- +$504
- Bi-Weekly
- +$465
- Weekly
- +$233
Source: USDA Food and Nutrition Administration
Automatic Income Eligibility in Hawaii
If anyone in your household already participates in Med-QUEST (Hawaii's Medicaid program), SNAP, or TANF, you automatically meet WIC's income requirement. Bring your Quest card, SNAP notice, or TANF documentation to your appointment instead of pay stubs, and your application can move faster.
What Counts as Income in Hawaii
Hawaii 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.
Hawaii Has Its Own Income Guidelines
Because Hawaii has significantly higher living costs than the 48 contiguous states, the federal government sets a separate, higher poverty guideline for Hawaii, and WIC uses that Hawaii-specific table to determine income eligibility here — not the guidelines used on the mainland. That means a household can earn more in Hawaii 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 — Hawaii 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.
Hawaii Income Limit Questions
Do I automatically qualify for WIC if I receive Med-QUEST or SNAP in Hawaii?
Yes. If anyone in your household participates in Med-QUEST, SNAP, or TANF, you automatically meet WIC's income requirement — bring documentation of that enrollment to your appointment instead of pay stubs.
Why are Hawaii's WIC income limits different from the mainland?
Hawaii has its own federally recognized poverty guidelines, reflecting the state's higher cost of living. WIC eligibility in Hawaii is based on this Hawaii-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 Hawaii 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 Hawaii?
No. Income eligibility is one requirement — Hawaii WIC also requires a nutritional risk determination made by a WIC health professional at your free certification appointment.
Helpful Resources
Hawaii WIC Program
Contact information, benefits, and how the Hawaii WIC program works.
Learn more →How to Apply for Hawaii WIC
Step-by-step instructions, required documents, and what to expect at your Hawaii WIC appointment.
Learn more →Hawaii WIC Approved Foods
See what you can buy with your Hawaii WIC benefits, from milk and eggs to fruits and vegetables.
Learn more →Find a Hawaii WIC Clinic
Locate WIC clinic offices near you in Hawaii, with addresses and phone numbers by city.
Learn more →