WIC Program

What Is WIC? The Nutrition Program Explained

Updated August 2026

WIC is a federally funded nutrition program that helps pregnant women, new mothers, and young children eat well during some of the most important years for growth and health. It provides food benefits, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to healthcare for income-eligible participants.

What WIC Stands For

WIC stands for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. The "special supplemental" designation means it is targeted at specific populations identified as at nutritional risk, rather than being a general food assistance program. The program is authorized under the Child Nutrition Act of 1966.

WIC is not the same as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), though families may qualify for both. For a detailed comparison, see WIC vs SNAP.

What Benefits Does WIC Provide?

WIC provides four core types of support:

🥦

Supplemental Foods

Monthly food package including dairy, eggs, whole grains, fruits and vegetables, legumes, juice, and infant formula — delivered via WIC EBT card.

📚

Nutrition Education

Individual or group sessions with a WIC nutritionist at each certification and recertification appointment.

🤱

Breastfeeding Support

Peer counseling, lactation consultation, and breast pump coverage in many states for mothers who breastfeed.

🔗

Referrals

Connections to healthcare, social services, and other community programs based on your family's needs.

For the full breakdown, see WIC Benefits and WIC Approved Foods.

Who Administers WIC?

WIC is a federal program funded by Congress through the USDA Food and Nutrition Administration (FNA) — formerly known as the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) — but it is administered at the state level. Each state and the District of Columbia has its own WIC agency that runs the program according to federal rules. This means your specific food list, approved formula brands, and application process depend on where you live.

Find Your State's WIC Program

WIC program details vary by state. Select your state below for state-specific eligibility rules, income limits, and how to apply.

Alabama Alabama Department of Public Health — Bureau of Family Health Services, State WIC Office Alaska Alaska Department of Health — Division of Public Assistance, WIC Program Arizona Arizona Department of Health Services — WIC Program Arkansas Arkansas Department of Health — WIC Program California California Department of Public Health — WIC Division Colorado Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment — WIC Program Connecticut Connecticut Department of Public Health — WIC Program Delaware Delaware Health and Social Services — WIC Program District of Columbia DC Health — WIC Program Florida Florida Department of Health — WIC Program Georgia Georgia Department of Public Health — WIC Program Hawaii Hawaii Department of Health — WIC Services Branch Idaho Idaho Department of Health & Welfare — WIC Program Illinois Illinois Department of Human Services — WIC Program Indiana Indiana Department of Health — WIC Program Iowa Iowa Health and Human Services — WIC Program Kansas Kansas Department of Health and Environment — Nutrition & WIC Services Kentucky Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services — Department for Public Health, Nutrition Services Branch Louisiana Louisiana Department of Health — Bureau of Nutrition Services Maine Maine Department of Health and Human Services — Maine CDC WIC Nutrition Program Maryland Maryland Department of Health — WIC Program Massachusetts Massachusetts Department of Public Health — WIC Nutrition Program Michigan Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) — WIC Program Minnesota Minnesota Department of Health — WIC Program Mississippi Mississippi State Department of Health — WIC Program Missouri Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services — WIC and Nutrition Services Montana Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services — WIC Program Nebraska Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services — WIC Program Nevada Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health — WIC Program New Hampshire New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services — WIC Program New Jersey New Jersey Department of Health — WIC Program New Mexico New Mexico Department of Health — WIC Program New York New York State Department of Health — WIC Program North Carolina North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services — WIC Program North Dakota North Dakota Health and Human Services — WIC Program Ohio Ohio Department of Health — WIC Program Oklahoma Oklahoma State Department of Health — WIC Program Oregon Oregon Health Authority — WIC Program Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Department of Health — Bureau of Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Rhode Island Rhode Island Department of Health — WIC Program South Carolina South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) — WIC Program South Dakota South Dakota Department of Health — WIC Program Tennessee Tennessee Department of Health — WIC Program Texas Texas Health and Human Services — Texas WIC Program Utah Utah Department of Health and Human Services — WIC Program Vermont Vermont Department of Health — WIC Program Virginia Virginia Department of Health — WIC Program Washington Washington State Department of Health — WIC Nutrition Program West Virginia West Virginia Department of Health — Office of Nutrition Services Wisconsin Wisconsin Department of Health Services — WIC Program Wyoming Wyoming Department of Health — WIC Program

WIC vs Other Food Assistance Programs

WIC is often confused with SNAP, but the two programs differ significantly in who they serve, what benefits they provide, and how benefits are used. WIC is specifically targeted at at-risk mothers and young children, while SNAP covers a broader population.

See the full comparison: WIC vs SNAP →

Receiving SNAP or Medicaid automatically satisfies WIC's income requirement — you do not need to document income separately if you already receive either of those programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does WIC stand for?

WIC stands for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. It is a federally funded nutrition program administered by the USDA Food and Nutrition Administration (FNA), formerly known as the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS).

Is WIC a federal or state program?

WIC is federally funded by the USDA but administered by individual state agencies. Each state sets its own approved food lists and contracted formula brands within the rules set by USDA FNA.

How long has WIC existed?

WIC began as a two-year pilot program in 1972 and was made a permanent program in 1974 under the Child Nutrition Act of 1966. See the full history of the WIC program for more.

How many people use WIC?

WIC serves about 6.9 million participants each month nationwide, including an estimated 41% of all infants born in the United States. See our WIC statistics page for the full breakdown.

Is WIC the same in every state?

No. While the core federal rules are the same nationwide, each state administers its own WIC program with its own approved food list, contracted formula brands, application process, and office locations. Use the state directory below to find details for your state.

Keep Learning

WIC Benefits

The full breakdown of food benefits, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals WIC provides.

Learn more →

WIC Income Limits

See the current household income limits to qualify for WIC, and what counts as income.

Learn more →

How to Apply for WIC

A step-by-step guide to the WIC application process, required documents, and what to expect at your appointment.

Learn more →

WIC Approved Foods

Browse WIC-covered foods by category, from milk and eggs to fruits, vegetables, and formula.

Learn more →

WIC vs SNAP

Compare who qualifies, what benefits are provided, and whether you can receive both programs.

Learn more →

WIC Statistics

National participation data, funding structure, and public health research on the WIC program.

Learn more →