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Resource | Policy Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA); Interpretation of “Federal Public Benefit”

This notice sets forth the interpretation that the U.S. Department of Agriculture uses for the term “Federal public benefit” as used in Title IV of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996. In doing so, this notice supersedes any prior interpretation in any notice or other document issued by any USDA agency. This notice also describes and preliminarily identifies the USDA programs that provide “Federal public benefits” within the scope of PRWORA.

07/10/2025
Resource | Training and Outreach FDPIR Shelter Utility Deduction and Net Monthly Income Calculation

This webinar provides an in-depth explanation of the FDPIR shelter/utility deduction and calculation of net monthly income.

03/04/2025
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 Memos WIC 2021-22 Income Eligibility Guidelines

This memo is inform FNS regional offices and state agencies of the release of the 2021-22 WIC Income Eligibility Guidelines. The 2021-22 Income Eligibility Guidelines are used by state agencies in determining the income eligibility of persons applying to participate in WIC. 

03/15/2021
Resource | Policy WIC Income Eligibility Guidelines (2020-2021)

USDA announces adjusted income eligibility guidelines to be used by state agencies in determining the income eligibility of persons applying to participate in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. These income eligibility guidelines are to be used in conjunction with the WIC regulations.

05/26/2020
Resource | Policy Memos Publication of the 2020-21 WIC Income Eligibility Guidelines

This policy memorandum transmits the 2020-21 Income Eligibility Guidelines for WIC that were published in the Federal Register on May 26, 2020

05/26/2020
Resource | Policy Memos WIC Income Eligibility Guidelines (2018-2019)

This policy memorandum transmits the new Income Eligibility Guidelines for WIC that were published in the Federal Register on April 3, 2018.

04/30/2018
Resource | Policy Memos WIC Income Eligibility Guidelines 2017-2018

This policy memorandum transmits the new Income Eligibility Guidelines (IEGs) for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children that were published in the Federal Register on March 15, 2017.

04/18/2017
Page updated: October 14, 2021