Skip to main content
Basic page How to Apply for WIC

FNS administers the WIC program at the federal level. State agencies are responsible for operating the program in their jurisdictions. This includes determining participant eligibility and providing benefits and services.

06/13/2023
Basic page WIC Eligibility

You may be eligible now even if you weren't before. WIC is by your side when your family is growing or your situation has changed. Many life changes – from having a baby or becoming a foster parent to experiencing income changes – can affect eligibility.

04/04/2023
Resource | Technical Assistance WIC Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women, infants, and children up to age 5 are eligible. They must meet income guidelines, a state residency requirement, and be individually determined to be at "nutritional risk" by a health professional.

04/04/2023
Resource | Policy WIC Publication of the 2023-2024 Income Eligibility Guidelines

This policy memorandum transmits the 2023-24 Income Eligibility Guidelines for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children.

03/31/2023
Resource | Federal Register Notices WIC Income Eligibility Guidelines (2023-24)

USDA announces adjusted income eligibility guidelines to be used by state agencies in determining the income eligibility of persons applying to participate in the WIC program. These income eligibility guidelines are to be used in conjunction with the WIC regulations.

02/21/2023
Basic page Child Nutrition Programs Income Eligibility Guidelines

The Department's annual adjustments to the Income Eligibility Guidelines (IEGs), are used in determining eligibility for free and reduced price meals or free milk.

02/09/2023
Resource | Research and Data | Breastfeeding National and State Level Estimates of WIC Eligibility and Program Reach in 2020

These graphics, the latest in a series of annual reports on WIC eligibility, present 2020 national and state estimates of the number of people eligible for WIC benefits and the percentages of the eligible population and the US population covered by the program, including estimates by participant category.

01/09/2023
Resource | Proposed Rule Proposed Rule: Reimbursement of Afterschool Snacks in the Regulations Governing the NSLP and CACFP

Under this proposed rule, certain afterschool care programs would earn reimbursement for snacks served which meet program requirements.

10/11/2000
Resource | Proposed Rule Proposed Rule: Determining Eligibility for Free and Reduced Price Meals and Free Milk in Schools: Disclosure of Children's Eligibility Information

This proposed rule would amend the regulations for the Special Milk Program for Children, Summer Food Service Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program and the Determination of Eligibility for Free and Reduced Price Meals and Free Milk in Schools relating to the confidentiality of information about individuals who receive free and reduced price meals and free milk.

07/25/2000
Resource | Guidance Documents Categorical Eligibility of Pre-Kindergarten Even Start Participants for Free Meal Benefits

This memorandum extends this categorical eligibility provision to the National School Lunch Program, the School Breakfast Program, the Special Milk Program for Children, and closed enrolled sites in the Summer Food Service Program.

04/04/2000
Page updated: June 02, 2026