New York WIC Income Limits
Updated August 2026
To qualify for WIC in New York, 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 New York-specific programs that qualify you without extra paperwork.
New York 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 New York 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 New York
If anyone in your household already participates in Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, the Essential Plan, or Head Start/Early Head Start, you automatically meet WIC's income requirement in New York — no separate income documentation needed. Bring your current enrollment card or notice for any of those programs to your appointment instead of pay stubs, and your application can move faster. The Essential Plan is a New York-specific health insurance program; enrollees may qualify for WIC during pregnancy and the postpartum period, so confirm current specifics with your local WIC office.
What Counts as Income in New York
New York 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 — New York 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. 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. Chat with Wanda, the WIC Assistant, at health.ny.gov for a quick pre-screen before contacting a local office.
New York Income Limit Questions
Do I automatically qualify for WIC if I receive Medicaid or SNAP in New York?
Yes. If anyone in your household participates in Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, the Essential Plan, or Head Start/Early Head Start, 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 New York 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 New York?
No. Income eligibility is one requirement — New York WIC also requires a nutritional risk determination made by a WIC health professional at your free certification appointment.
Helpful Resources
New York WIC Program
Contact information, benefits, and how the New York WIC program works.
Learn more →How to Apply for New York WIC
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Learn more →Find a New York WIC Clinic
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