Tennessee WIC Income Limits
Updated September 2026
To qualify for WIC in Tennessee, 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 Tennessee-specific programs that qualify you without extra paperwork.
Quick Answer
To qualify for Tennessee 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.
Tennessee 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 Tennessee 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
Pregnant Women Count as Two (or More)
If you are pregnant, you count as two people when calculating household size — yourself and the unborn child. If you are carrying twins or multiples, each additional baby is counted separately. This is particularly important for smaller households near the income threshold, where adding even one additional household member can shift eligibility.
Automatic Income Eligibility in Tennessee
If your household participates in any of the following programs, you automatically meet WIC's income requirement — no separate income documentation is needed:
- SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)
- TANF / Families First — Tennessee's name for the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families cash assistance program
- TennCare — Tennessee's Medicaid program
Bring your current benefit letter, enrollment card, or a recent benefit statement from any of these programs to your WIC appointment instead of pay stubs, and your application can move faster.
What Counts as Income
Tennessee WIC counts gross household income before taxes — wages, self-employment earnings, Social Security payments, child support, alimony, unemployment benefits, and military pay. SNAP benefits, housing assistance, and tax refunds are not counted. If income is paid in cash with no check stubs, a written income statement from the employer is accepted.
Income Is Not the Only Requirement
Falling under the income limit is one part of qualifying — Tennessee WIC also requires a nutritional risk finding from a WIC health professional at your free certification appointment, which nearly all applicants meet in some form; being pregnant alone qualifies. Household size or a pregnancy can also shift where you land on the income table, so it's worth applying even if you're close to the limit.
Tennessee Income Limit Questions
Do I automatically qualify for WIC if I receive TennCare or SNAP?
Yes. If anyone in your household participates in TennCare, SNAP, or Families First (TANF), you automatically meet WIC's income requirement — just 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 Tennessee 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 in Tennessee?
No. Income eligibility is one requirement — Tennessee 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 Tennessee's census region — useful if you're moving, or comparing how another state runs the same program.
Helpful Guides
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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
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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
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Learn more →WIC EBT Card
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Learn more →Find a WIC Clinic
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Learn more →WIC Recertification
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