Go to FNS (Food and Nutrition Service) Home Page
WIC Home Page FNS Search FNS Contacts FNS Programs
Banner image Banner images
About WIC How to Apply Resources Benefits & Services Funding & Program Data EBT/MIS Topics A to Z
Food Nutrition Service Home Page United States Department of Agriculture Home Page

WIC Program

Food and Nutrition Service


Espanol
How to Apply for WIC

WIC Income Eligibility Guidelines 2012-2013

On March 23, 2012, a Notice announcing revised WIC Income Eligibility Guidelines was published in the Federal Register. The adjusted income eligibility guidelines are used by State agencies in determining the income eligibility of persons applying to participate in the WIC Program. WIC State agencies must implement the new guidelines not later than July 1, 2012. WIC State agencies may implement the revised income guidelines at the same time States implement revised income eligibility guidelines for the Medicaid Program. On January 26, 2012, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published its annual update of the poverty guidelines (77 FR 17). The HHS guidelines are used by a number of Federal programs, including WIC and the Medicaid Program, as the basis for determining and updating program income eligibility limits.

To be eligible on the basis of income, applicants' gross income (i.e. before taxes are withheld) must fall at or below 185 percent of the U.S. Poverty Income Guidelines.  The guidelines for WIC are shown below.

Click here if you are looking for WIC income eligibility guidelines for July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012.

WIC Income Eligibility Guidelines
(Effective from July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013)

 

48 Contiguous States, D.C., Guam and Territories

Persons in Family or Household Size

Annual

Monthly

Twice-Monthly

Bi-Weekly

Weekly

1 $20,665 $1,723 $862 $795 $398
2 27,991 2,333 1,167 1,077 539
3 35,317  2,944 1,472 1,359 680
4 42,643 3,554 1,777 1,641 821
5 49,969 4,165 2,083 1,922 961
6 57,295 4,775 2,388 2,204 1,102
7 64,621 5,386 2,693 2,486 1,243
8 71,947 5,996 2,998 2,768 1,384
Each Add'l Member Add +$7,326 +611 +306 +282 +141

Alaska

Persons in Family or Household Size

Annual

Monthly

Twice-Monthly

Bi-Weekly

Weekly

1 $25,845 $2,154 $1,077 $995 $498
2 35,002 2,917 1,459 1,347 674
3 44,160 3,680 1,840 1,699 850
4 53,317 4,444 2,222 2,051 1,026
5 62,475 5,207 2,604 2,403 1,202
6 71,632 5,970 2,985 2,756 1,378
7 80,790 6,733 3,367 3,108 1,554
8 89,947 7,496 3,748 3,460 1,730
Each Add'l Member Add +9,158 +764 +382 +353 +177

Hawaii

Persons in Family or Household

Annual

Monthly

Twice-Monthly

Bi-Weekly

Weekly

1 $23,791 $1,983 $992 $916 $458
2 32,209 2,685 1,343 1,239 620
3 40,626 3,386 1,693 1,563 782
4 49,044 4,087 2,044 1,887 944
5 57,461 4,789 2,395 2,211 1,106
6 65,879 5,490 2,745 2,534 1,267
7 74,296 6,192 3,096 2,858 1,429
8 82,714 6,893 3,447 3,182 1,591
Each Add'l Member Add +8,418 +702 +351 +324 +162

 


While most States use the maximum guidelines, States may set lower income limit standards. A person or certain family members who participate in other benefits programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Medicaid, or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families automatically meet the income eligibility requirement.
  
PDF file of the Federal Register Notice
How to Apply to Participate in WIC

Back to the Top

Last modified 07/13/12

Featured Areas
What's New
Am I Eligible for WIC?
Fact Sheets
Farmers' Market Nutrition Program
Senior FMNP
State Contacts
Disaster Assistance
WIC Works Resource System
Program Data
Links
Contact National Office
    Accessibility | Privacy/Security | Nondiscrimination | USDA