Missouri WIC Income Limits
Updated September 2026
To qualify for WIC in Missouri, 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 Missouri-specific programs that qualify you without extra paperwork.
Quick Answer
To qualify for Missouri 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.
Missouri 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 Missouri 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 Missouri
If your household already participates in SNAP, Temporary Assistance (TA) — Missouri's name for the federal TANF cash assistance program — or a qualifying MO HealthNet plan, you automatically meet WIC's income requirement. Bring your current benefit card, notice, or enrollment documentation to your appointment instead of pay stubs, and your application can move faster. Foster children under age 5 are also automatically eligible for WIC regardless of the foster family's income.
What Counts as Income in Missouri
Missouri 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. For income that varies, such as tips or seasonal work, WIC typically looks at your most recent pay stubs rather than a full year.
Income Is Not the Only Requirement
Falling under the income limit is one part of qualifying — Missouri 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 woman counts as two people when calculating household size, which can move you into a more favorable income bracket. It's worth applying even if your household is close to the limit, since local WIC staff can walk you through exactly how your situation is calculated.
Missouri Income Limit Questions
Do I automatically qualify for WIC if I receive SNAP or MO HealthNet in Missouri?
Yes. If your household participates in SNAP, Temporary Assistance (TA), or a qualifying MO HealthNet plan, 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 Missouri WIC calculates household size, which can move you into a more favorable income bracket. Expecting multiples counts each baby separately.
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 Missouri?
No. Income eligibility is one requirement — Missouri 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 Missouri'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
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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
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Learn more →WIC EBT Card
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Learn more →WIC Approved Foods
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Learn more →Find a WIC Clinic
Search WIC clinic locations by state and city, with addresses and phone numbers.
Learn more →WIC Recertification
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