North Carolina WIC Income Limits
Updated September 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.
Quick Answer
To qualify for North Carolina 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.
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.
Compare Other States
WIC income limits are set state by state. These share North Carolina'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
Compare who qualifies, what benefits are provided, and whether you can receive both programs.
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
The exact dollar and quantity breakdown of the monthly WIC food package by participant category.
Learn more →WIC EBT Card
How to use your WIC EBT card at the store, check your balance, and what to do if it's declined.
Learn more →WIC Approved Foods
Browse WIC-covered foods by category, from milk and eggs to fruits, vegetables, and formula.
Learn more →Find a WIC Clinic
Search WIC clinic locations by state and city, with addresses and phone numbers.
Learn more →WIC Recertification
When your WIC certification expires, what to bring to your renewal appointment, and how to avoid a gap in benefits.
Learn more →