Eligibility & Benefits

WIC Eligibility

Eligibility for WIC is based on income and nutrition or medical risk.

Who can apply for WIC?

Pregnant women
Women who are breastfeeding a baby under one year of age
Women who have had a baby in the past six months
Children under age 5: parents, step-parents, guardians, and foster parents of children under age five can apply for their children. Many working families qualify for WIC.

Are you eligible to apply for WIC? Click here for a 30 second video!

To be eligible for WIC, you must:

Meet the income guidelines. Households with incomes at or below 185% of the federal poverty income level are income eligible. WIC determines income based on gross income of all the members of a household, related or non-related. If you are pregnant, count your unborn baby in family size.

Income Eligibility Guidelines
2023-2024 WIC INCOME GUIDELINES – Effective July 1, 2023
Gross income before taxes

Family Size	Monthly (Approximate)	Annually (Approximate)
1	$2,248	$26,973
2	$3,041	$36,482
3	$3,833	$45,991
4	$4,625	$55,500
5	$5,418	$65,009
6	$6,210	$74,518
7	$7,003	$84,027
8	$7,795	$93,536
add for each addtl member:	$793	$9,509

Have a nutritional or medical need. WIC participants receive an initial health and nutrition screening to determine nutritional risks.
Live in Pennsylvania. WIC participants usually receive services in the county where they live. U.S. citizenship is not a requirement for eligibility. Participants can apply in person or remotely. When enrolled, participants must visit their WIC center in person to pick up their benefit card.

Applicants can be determined income-eligible for WIC based on their participation in certain programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid, or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).

To apply for WIC, contact your local WIC Nutrition Center. Or, call the MFHS call center at 1-866-WIC-TIME (942-8463) to find the closest center to you and make an appointment. You can also fill out a pre-application online.

WIC Benefits

WIC provides families with:

eWIC benefits to purchase nutritious foods at the grocery store. WIC foods support proper growth and development for pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, infants, and children up to age 5.
Nutrition education to help new parents build a strong nutritional foundation for their families, and help children develop healthy eating habits that can last a lifetime.
Breastfeeding support to help new mothers have a successful breastfeeding experience.
Farmer’s market vouchers to purchase fresh, local produce.
Referrals to health care and social services to help you stay connected to prenatal and pediatric medical care, as well as community services and programs that help your family stay healthy and strong.
WIC is a free program for those who qualify.

Check out the Shopping with eWIC video to learn more about using your eWIC card.

WIC Food List

WIC foods support healthy growth and development and have a positive impact on children’s diets. The WIC food package includes a variety of healthy foods such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and sources of key nutrients to keep families healthy and strong.

Check out the WIC food list:

English
Spanish
WICShopper App: Apple Store | Google Play

Benefits of Participating in WIC

WIC supports healthier pregnancies and births and improved health and development of children by providing the nutritious foods that support growth during pregnancy, infancy, and early childhood. WIC keeps families connected to essential medical care and social services, and helps parents achieve their goals for the children’s health and development.

Studies show that participation in WIC results in:

Healthier pregnancies
Improved birth outcomes
Better growth and development
Improved cognitive development
Improved diets
Improved breastfeeding rates
Increased immunization rates
Improved access to health care and social services
Reduced food insecurity
Long term savings in health costs