Wisconsin WIC Program
Benefits, Eligibility & How to Apply
Wisconsin WIC Agency Contact
About the Wisconsin WIC Program
Ready to apply for Wisconsin WIC?
Apply online at www.dhs.wisconsin.gov → or call 1-800-642-7837 to get started.
Wisconsin WIC is administered by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) and delivered through 61 WIC agencies reaching every county in the state. The program serves tens of thousands of Wisconsin families each month — including pregnant women, new parents, infants, and children under five across all 72 Wisconsin counties.
Wisconsin's WIC program has roots going back to the very beginning of the national program. When Wisconsin launched its pilot in 1974 with the Great Lakes Inter Tribal Council (GLITC) WIC program, the Green Bay Area Free Clinic, and the Menominee Tribe, the state had just 1,300 total participants. Today those 61 agencies serve communities from Milwaukee and Madison to rural and tribal areas across all 72 counties.
Wisconsin's State-Specific Program Names
Wisconsin uses its own names for several state assistance programs, and knowing them matters for WIC eligibility. Wisconsin's SNAP program is called FoodShare. Wisconsin's Medicaid program is called BadgerCare Plus. Wisconsin's TANF cash assistance program is called Wisconsin Works (W-2). If you receive any of these, you likely qualify for WIC automatically — bring your current benefit letter or enrollment documentation to your appointment.
The Wisconsin MyWIC App
Wisconsin has its own state-branded mobile app — Wisconsin MyWIC — available free on the Apple App Store and Google Play. The app lets participants view their WIC benefit balance, search for WIC-approved foods, find stores that accept WIC, and receive messages and alerts from their WIC agency. It is the primary tool for managing benefits between appointments and checking whether a specific product qualifies before you get to the register.
Online Pre-Application and the Family Portal
Wisconsin WIC allows applicants to start the process online. You can submit a pre-application at the DHS WIC apply page, or contact your local WIC office to receive a link to set up a Family Portal account. The portal lets you submit proof of identity, address, and income documents online — and some agencies also allow documents to be submitted electronically ahead of your appointment. Phone and video appointments are available at many locations for follow-up visits once enrolled.
Fit Families Program
Wisconsin WIC offers a distinctive program called Fit Families for households with children ages 2 to 4. WIC nutritionists provide monthly support and tools to these families for a full year, with a focus on building healthy eating habits and physical activity routines. Research has shown that children who complete Fit Families eat more fruits and vegetables, drink less juice, are more physically active, and watch less TV.
Tribal WIC Services
Wisconsin has 11 federally recognized Native American tribes, and WIC services are available throughout tribal communities statewide. The Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council (GLITC), which partnered with the state on Wisconsin's original 1974 WIC pilot, operates a WIC program serving tribal communities across the state. Any Wisconsin resident who meets WIC income and categorical requirements is eligible to apply through GLITC or through the state WIC agency serving their county.
The 11 federally recognized tribes in Wisconsin are:
- Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin
- Ho-Chunk Nation
- Oneida Nation
- Forest County Potawatomi Community
- Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
- Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
- Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
- St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin
- Sokaogon Chippewa Community (Mole Lake Band of Lake Superior Chippewa)
- Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
- Stockbridge-Munsee Community
Tribal members and households on or near reservations who participate in the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) are adjunctively eligible for WIC — FDPIR participation can replace income documentation at your WIC appointment. Contact GLITC or your local county WIC agency to find the office closest to your tribal community.
Farmers' Market Nutrition Program
Each summer, Wisconsin WIC distributes Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) checks to eligible participants. These checks can be used at approved farmers' markets and farm stands across the state through October 31 to purchase fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables, and herbs. In 2024, the benefit was $40 per eligible WIC participant — separate from regular monthly food benefits. The amount is set each year; ask your local WIC agency about the current season's benefit and distribution dates.
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 — Wisconsin WIC
Wisconsin 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). | ||
Pregnant Women Count as Two
If you are pregnant, Wisconsin WIC counts you as two people when calculating household size — yourself and the unborn child. This can shift your household into the next income tier and is particularly meaningful for smaller families near the income threshold.
Automatic Income Eligibility — Wisconsin's Program Names
Wisconsin uses state-specific names for its public assistance programs. If your household participates in any of the following, you are automatically likely to qualify for WIC income eligibility and do not need to provide additional income documentation:
- FoodShare — Wisconsin's name for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program / food stamps)
- BadgerCare Plus — Wisconsin's Medicaid health insurance program
- Wisconsin Works (W-2) — Wisconsin's name for the federal TANF cash assistance program
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)
- Kinship Care or Foster Care participation also qualifies children automatically
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. Wisconsin WIC staff will verify your enrollment, often electronically.
Income Documentation if Not Auto-Eligible
If your household does not participate in any of the programs above, bring pay stubs from the last 30 days — four if paid weekly, two if paid bi-weekly, one if paid monthly. Also bring proof of any other income including Social Security, SSI, unemployment compensation, and child support. Your employer can fill out a Wisconsin WIC Employer Statement form (F-40076) if standard pay documentation is unavailable.
Wisconsin WIC does not ask about immigration status. You do not have to be a legal resident of the United States to receive WIC benefits in Wisconsin.
