Maine WIC Program
Benefits, Eligibility & How to Apply
Maine WIC Agency Contact
About the Maine WIC Program
Ready to apply for Maine WIC?
Apply online at www.maine.gov → or call 1-800-437-9300 to get started.
Maine WIC is administered by the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) and delivered through local partner agencies covering Maine's counties. The program provides free nutritious foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding and chestfeeding support, and referrals to community services for pregnant women, new parents, infants, and children up to age 5. Maine WIC is open to everyone living in Maine — including migrant workers — and does not ask about immigration or citizenship status. WIC participation is not considered in public charge determinations.
Who Is Eligible
Maine WIC is open to pregnant, lactating, and postpartum individuals; infants; and children up to age 5. Fathers, legal guardians, adoptive parents, and foster parents may apply on behalf of eligible infants and children in their care. Foster children and adopted children are eligible regardless of the foster or adoptive family's income.
Year-Round Farmers' Market Access via the Bnft App
Maine WIC connects participants with local farms. Participants can use their monthly Cash Value Benefit (CVB) for fruits and vegetables at authorized Maine farms, farm stands, and farmers' markets — including year-round access beyond the summer season. Because farmers cannot accept eWIC cards directly, participants generate a unique barcode through the Bnft app (free download) or by printing from mybnft.com to present at the farm. Each summer (typically July through October), participants also receive additional FMNP benefits to spend exclusively with Maine-based farmers.
Local Partner Agencies Statewide
Maine CDC contracts with community-based local agencies to deliver WIC services across the state, ensuring that WIC is accessible in both Maine's urban centers and its most rural communities. Find your nearest WIC clinic at maine.gov/wic.
Inclusive Language and Multilingual Support
Maine WIC uses inclusive, welcoming language throughout its materials, referring to "women and birthing parents," "lactating individuals," and "breastfeeding and chestfeeding" to serve all families. Free language assistance is available at WIC clinics in multiple languages — including Arabic, French, Lingála, Portuguese, Spanish, and Somali — to serve Maine's diverse communities, including refugee and immigrant families. Contact your local WIC agency in advance to confirm languages currently available at your clinic.
Open to Migrant Workers
Maine WIC explicitly welcomes migrant workers living and working in Maine. Seasonal agricultural workers and their families are eligible for WIC services just as any other Maine resident, regardless of how long they have been in the state. Residency is established by showing a Maine address, not by length of residence.
Tribal Communities
Maine has four federally recognized tribes: the Passamaquoddy Tribe (with communities at Indian Township in Princeton and Sipayik/Pleasant Point in Perry), the Penobscot Indian Nation (Indian Island), the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, and the Aroostook Band of Micmacs (Mi'kmaq Nation) in Presque Isle. Tribal members who are Maine residents may participate in Maine's state WIC program at any local agency.
The Passamaquoddy Tribe at Sipayik (Pleasant Point) operates its own Indian Tribal Organization (ITO) WIC program, serving tribal members directly. Tribal members in that area may choose to receive WIC services through the ITO program or through the state program. Contact the Maine state WIC office or your tribal social services department to determine which program is right for your family.
Tribal members enrolled in the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) should contact their local WIC office to ask how FDPIR participation may affect adjunctive eligibility for WIC.
Breastfeeding and Chestfeeding Support
All Maine WIC local agencies provide certified lactation counselors and breastfeeding peer counselors who support participants before and after birth. WIC can provide manual pumps, electric pumps, and in some cases hospital-grade pumps, along with clinical and peer support by phone, text, and in-person appointments. WIC food packages for nursing parents include more variety and higher quantities than non-breastfeeding packages, supporting continued nursing.
Income at or below 185% FPL. Automatic eligibility with Medicaid, SNAP, or TANF.
Monthly food benefits loaded to your WIC EBT card plus nutrition education and breastfeeding support.
Frequently Asked Questions — Maine WIC
Maine WIC Income Limits 2026
| Household Size | Annual Gross Income | Monthly Gross Income |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $28,953 | $2,413 |
| 2 | $39,128 | $3,261 |
| 3 | $49,303 | $4,109 |
| 4 | $59,478 | $4,957 |
| 5 | $69,653 | $5,805 |
| 6 | $79,828 | $6,653 |
| 7 | $90,003 | $7,501 |
| 8 | $100,178 | $8,349 |
| Each additional person | add $10,175 | add $848 |
| Effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. Figures are 185% of the federal poverty guidelines for the 48 contiguous states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories (including Guam). Alaska and Hawaii residents see higher income limits. Source: USDA FNS Federal Register notice 2025-03576 (90 FR 11598). | ||
Automatic Income Eligibility
Households enrolled in MaineCare (Maine's Medicaid program), SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), or TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) automatically meet WIC income requirements. Bring proof of current enrollment in one of these programs to your appointment — no separate income documentation is required.
Tribal members enrolled in the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) should contact their local WIC office to ask how FDPIR participation may affect adjunctive eligibility for WIC.
Counting Household Size
A pregnant woman counts as two people when calculating household size — herself and her unborn child. Each additional unborn child counts as one more person. A household of two adults expecting one child is counted as three for WIC eligibility purposes.
Foster Children and Adopted Children
Foster children and adopted children are eligible for WIC regardless of the foster or adoptive family's income level. Fathers, legal guardians, adoptive parents, and foster parents may apply on behalf of eligible infants and children in their care.
Residency and Immigration
Maine WIC does not ask about immigration or citizenship status. The program is open to all eligible residents of Maine, including migrant workers, seasonal agricultural workers, and their families, regardless of how long they have lived in the state. Residency is established with any document showing a Maine address — there is no minimum length of residence required. Participation in WIC is not considered in federal public charge determinations.
What Counts as Income
Income includes wages, salary, self-employment income, Social Security benefits, unemployment compensation, child support, and other regular payments, counted before taxes. WIC may average recent pay periods if income varies month to month. Households already enrolled in MaineCare, SNAP, or TANF skip income verification entirely.
Not Sure You Qualify?
Use the federal WIC Eligibility Screening Tool to estimate eligibility before your appointment. Final eligibility is always determined by Maine WIC staff based on current federal guidelines.
