WIC Program

Maryland WIC Income Limits

Updated August 2026

To qualify for WIC in Maryland, 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 Maryland-specific programs that qualify you without extra paperwork.

Maryland 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 Maryland from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027.

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 Maryland

If your household already participates in SNAP, Medical Assistance/Medicaid (including HealthChoice), or Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) — Maryland's name for the federal TANF cash assistance program — you automatically meet WIC's income requirement. Bring your current benefit card or enrollment letter to your appointment instead of pay stubs, and your application can move faster.

What Counts as Income in Maryland

Maryland 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 you're not automatically income-eligible, WIC typically looks at income from the last 30 days rather than a full year.

Income Is Not the Only Requirement

Falling under the income limit is one part of qualifying — Maryland 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. If you're pregnant, Maryland counts you as two people (yourself and the unborn child) when calculating household size, which can move you into a more favorable income bracket — count each additional baby separately if you're expecting multiples.

Maryland Income Limit Questions

Do I automatically qualify for WIC if I receive Medical Assistance or SNAP?

Yes. If your household participates in SNAP, Medical Assistance/Medicaid, or Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA), 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 woman counts as two people (herself and her unborn child) when Maryland 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 your last 30 days of pay 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 Maryland?

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

Helpful Resources