North Carolina WIC Income Limits
Updated August 2026
To qualify for WIC in North Carolina, 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 North Carolina-specific programs that qualify you without extra paperwork.
North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina
If anyone in your household already participates in Medicaid, Work First Family Assistance (WFFA) — North Carolina's TANF program — or NC Food and Nutrition Services (FNS, also known as SNAP), you automatically meet WIC's income requirement. Bring your Medicaid card, WFFA documentation, or FNS enrollment letter to your appointment instead of pay stubs, and your application can move faster. Members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians can be connected with EBCI's own WIC program, and tribal members who participate in the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) should ask their local WIC office about adjunctive eligibility.
What Counts as Income in North Carolina
North Carolina WIC counts gross household income before taxes — wages, self-employment earnings, Social Security payments, child support, alimony, and unemployment benefits. Housing assistance and tax refunds are not counted. A pregnant woman counts as two people (herself and her unborn child) when household size is calculated, which can shift a household into a more favorable income bracket.
Income Is Not the Only Requirement
Falling under the income limit is one part of qualifying — North Carolina WIC also requires a nutritional risk finding from a WIC health professional at your free appointment, which nearly all applicants meet in some form. North Carolina also states that WIC is not included in the public charge test, so participating cannot be used against a non-citizen applicant in immigration proceedings.
North Carolina Income Limit Questions
Do I automatically qualify for WIC if I receive Medicaid or SNAP in North Carolina?
Yes. If anyone in your household participates in Medicaid, Work First Family Assistance (WFFA/TANF), or NC Food and Nutrition Services (FNS/SNAP), 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 North Carolina 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?
No. Income eligibility is one requirement — North Carolina WIC also requires a nutritional risk determination made by a WIC health professional at your free certification appointment.
Helpful Resources
North Carolina WIC Program
Contact information, benefits, and how the North Carolina WIC program works.
Learn more →How to Apply for North Carolina WIC
Step-by-step instructions, required documents, and what to expect at your North Carolina WIC appointment.
Learn more →North Carolina WIC Approved Foods
See what you can buy with your North Carolina WIC benefits, from milk and eggs to fruits and vegetables.
Learn more →Find a North Carolina WIC Clinic
Locate WIC clinic offices near you in North Carolina, with addresses and phone numbers by city.
Learn more →