Minnesota WIC Program
Benefits, Eligibility & How to Apply
Minnesota WIC Agency Contact
About the Minnesota WIC Program
Ready to apply for Minnesota WIC?
Apply online at www.health.state.mn.us → or call 1-800-942-4030 to get started.
Minnesota WIC is administered by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and reaches families across all 87 Minnesota counties through a statewide network of local WIC clinics. The program serves pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and children under age five, providing nutritious foods, nutrition education, and referrals to other health and social services.
To find your nearest clinic, call 1-800-WIC-4030 (1-800-942-4030) or use the Minnesota WIC Agency Directory at health.state.mn.us. You can also apply online at health.state.mn.us/wicapply.
A Unique Pathway for Families Just Over the Income Limit
Minnesota has a Presumptive Income Eligibility pathway that most other states do not offer. Families whose income is above the standard 185% FPL WIC limit but below 275% FPL can still receive WIC benefits for up to three months — as long as they are willing to apply for a Minnesota Health Care Program (such as Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare). After three months, proof of current eligibility or a pending application for a Minnesota Health Care Program is required to continue. This pathway keeps families enrolled during the application process rather than leaving them without benefits while they wait.
Minnesota's State-Specific Program Names for Automatic Eligibility
Minnesota uses its own names for several public assistance programs. If anyone in your household participates in Medical Assistance (MA) — Minnesota's Medicaid — MinnesotaCare — Minnesota's Basic Health Program — or MFIP (Minnesota Family Investment Program) — Minnesota's TANF cash assistance — you are automatically income-eligible for WIC. The same applies to SNAP, Head Start, the Energy Assistance Program (EAP), and Free or Reduced-Price School Lunches.
The My Minnesota WIC App
Minnesota has its own state-branded mobile app — My Minnesota WIC — available free for iPhone (iOS 16.0 and higher) and Android (version 6.0 and higher) on the App Store and Google Play. The app lets participants instantly check whether a food item is WIC-allowed by scanning the barcode, find nearby WIC-authorized stores, check benefit balances, and receive appointment reminders. The app's messages and resources are available in English, Spanish, and Somali — reflecting Minnesota's large and established Somali-American community.
Phone and Video Appointments Available
Many Minnesota WIC clinics offer phone and video appointments in addition to in-person visits. If an in-person appointment is not possible, contact your local WIC clinic to ask about alternative options. MDH encourages families to reach out rather than miss appointments.
Language Access
Minnesota WIC provides eligibility information and outreach materials in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Somali, Hmong, Karen, Pashto, and Vietnamese — reflecting the state's diverse communities. Free language assistance is available at all WIC clinics upon request. If you have difficulty communicating because you do not speak English or have a disability, call 1-800-942-4030 and your clinic can arrange assistance.
Minnesota WIC and Tribal Nations
Minnesota is home to 11 federally recognized tribes, including the White Earth Nation, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, Red Lake Band of Chippewa, Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa, Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, and four additional tribal nations. Tribal members are eligible for WIC and may be served through county and state WIC clinics throughout Minnesota, as well as through tribal health departments and tribal-affiliated WIC providers where available.
Some tribal households participate in the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) as an alternative to SNAP. FDPIR is not a substitute for WIC — families may receive both programs simultaneously. Tribal members should contact their tribal health department or call 1-800-942-4030 to find WIC services in their area.
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 — Minnesota WIC
Minnesota 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). | ||
A pregnant woman counts as two people when calculating household size — herself and the unborn child.
Automatic Income Eligibility — Minnesota's Program Names
If anyone in your household currently participates in any of the following programs, your entire household is automatically income-eligible for WIC. Minnesota uses state-specific names for several of these:
- Medical Assistance (MA) — Minnesota's Medicaid program. Note: if a household member receives SSI or Medical Assistance–TEFRA, only that individual is automatically eligible, not the entire household.
- MinnesotaCare — Minnesota's Basic Health Program for households with incomes up to 200% FPL
- MFIP (Minnesota Family Investment Program) — Minnesota's name for TANF cash assistance
- SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program / food stamps)
- Head Start enrollment
- Energy Assistance Program (EAP) — also known as Fuel Assistance (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program / LIHEAP)
- Free or Reduced-Price School Lunches
Bring your current benefit letter, enrollment card, or program documentation to your WIC appointment. That documentation replaces the need for pay stubs or other income records.
Minnesota has 11 federally recognized tribes. Tribal members who participate in the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) should contact their local WIC office about adjunctive eligibility options.
Minnesota's Unique Presumptive Income Eligibility
Minnesota offers a pathway that most states do not. If your household income is above 185% FPL but below 275% FPL, and your household includes a pregnant woman, a recent mother, or a child under 5, you may be presumptively income eligible for WIC — provided you are willing to apply for a Minnesota Health Care Program such as Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare.
Presumptively eligible families receive WIC benefits for up to three months. After three months, you must provide proof of current enrollment or a pending application for a Minnesota Health Care Program to continue. This pathway ensures families are not left without benefits while they navigate the health care program application process.
Traditional Income Documentation
If your household is not automatically or presumptively eligible, bring documentation of all household income for the prior 30 days — pay stubs, employer statements, Social Security or SSI award letters, unemployment notices, child support records, or the most recent federal tax return for self-employed households. Minnesota WIC uses gross income (before taxes) and requires documentation — self-reporting of income alone is not sufficient.
Minnesota WIC does not require U.S. citizenship. You do not need to be a citizen or legal permanent resident to receive WIC benefits in Minnesota.
