How long can you get WIC?

How long you can get WIC depends on your situation. As long as you stay eligible, you can keep your benefits. But eligibility ends at certain ages and changes if your income goes up or nutrition risk improves.

Who can get WIC and for how long

WIC (the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children) serves:

• Pregnant women — until 6 months after you give birth (or up to 1 year if you breastfeed)
• New mothers — up to 6 months after pregnancy (or up to 1 year if breastfeeding)
• Infants — until age 1
• Children — from age 1 until age 5

Once a child turns 5, they no longer qualify for WIC. Pregnant women and new mothers also stop qualifying after their time window ends.

Income and nutrition requirements

To stay on WIC, your income must stay at or below 185% of the federal poverty guidelines. If your income goes above this level, you'll lose eligibility.

You also must have a nutrition risk. A WIC clinic checks this when you apply and at your regular appointments. If your nutrition improves significantly, you may no longer qualify.

If you already get SNAP, Medicaid, or TANF, you automatically meet the income requirement for WIC.

What to do next

Apply at your local WIC clinic or agency. Applying is free, and only the agency decides if you qualify. A WIC clinic will check your income and nutrition risk to see if you're eligible.

WIC also provides nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to health care — not just food benefits.