WIC Income Limits — Federal Poverty Guidelines
Updated August 2026
WIC uses 185% of the federal poverty level (FPL) to determine income eligibility. The specific dollar thresholds are set each year by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and applied uniformly across most WIC state agencies.
How WIC Calculates Income
WIC uses gross household income — before taxes and deductions — and compares it to 185% of the current federal poverty guidelines. All household members' income is counted, regardless of whether they will be WIC participants.
Already on SNAP, Medicaid, TANF, or FDPIR?
You automatically qualify for WIC on income — no income documentation required. Just bring proof of your SNAP, Medicaid, TANF, or FDPIR (Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations) enrollment to your appointment. This is called "adjunctive eligibility."
Pregnant? You count as two.
If you're pregnant, your unborn child counts as a household member — you start at household size 2 instead of 1. Carrying multiples? Count each baby. This often moves a household into a more favorable income bracket and can mean the difference between qualifying and not qualifying.
WIC Income Limit Table
These are the income limits for the 48 contiguous states, D.C., Guam, and the territories, effective July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. Alaska and Hawaii use higher thresholds set separately by federal law — see your Alaska or Hawaii income limits page for those figures.
| 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
What Counts as Income
WIC counts the following as gross household income:
- ✓ Wages and salaries (before taxes)
- ✓ Self-employment income
- ✓ Social Security and pension income
- ✓ Unemployment compensation
- ✓ Alimony and child support received
- ✓ Military basic pay and allowances for housing and food
What Does Not Count as Income
The following are excluded from WIC's income calculation:
- ✗ Tax refunds, including the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the refundable portion of the Child Tax Credit
- ✗ SNAP benefits
- ✗ WIC benefits
- ✗ Medicaid payments
- ✗ Energy assistance payments (LIHEAP)
- ✗ Foster care payments
- ✗ Most educational grants, scholarships, and loans
State Variations
A small number of states set income limits below 185% FPL, though most use exactly 185%. To find the specific income limit in your state, select your state below.
Confirm your state's income limit: Select your state →
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income limit for WIC?
WIC uses 185% of the federal poverty level as its income limit. The specific dollar amount depends on your household size and is updated each year. If you receive SNAP, Medicaid, or TANF, you automatically meet WIC's income requirement. See the income limits table above for current figures.
Does WIC count gross or net income?
WIC uses gross income — your income before taxes and deductions. This is the total amount earned or received, not the amount that ends up in your bank account after taxes.
If I get SNAP, do I automatically qualify for WIC?
Yes. Receiving SNAP satisfies WIC's income eligibility requirement through a policy called adjunctive eligibility. You will still need to meet WIC's other requirements — categorical eligibility, residency, and nutritional risk — but you do not need to separately document your income.
Does my spouse's income count for WIC?
Yes. WIC counts the gross income of all household members, including a spouse or partner. The WIC income limit is applied to total household gross income compared against the poverty guideline for your household size.
What if my income just went over the WIC limit?
If your income has recently changed, contact your WIC agency as soon as possible. If your income exceeds 185% of the federal poverty level and you do not receive SNAP, Medicaid, or TANF, you may no longer be income-eligible. However, income changes are reported at recertification — your current certification period typically continues even if income changes mid-period.
Keep Learning
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 vs SNAP
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Learn more →WIC Eligibility
The four requirements to qualify for WIC — categorical status, income, nutritional risk, and residency.
Learn more →What Is WIC?
An overview of the WIC program, who administers it, and how it works.
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