Who Qualifies for WIC Benefits?
In Wisconsin, WIC is the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for WoOmen, Infants, and Children. WIC is for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or postpartum, as well as infants and children up to the age of five. Foster parents and relatives may also apply on behalf of an infant or child in their care.
WIC provides the following benefits:
- Nutrition education
- Breastfeeding support
- Healthy foods
- Referrals to health services and other resources
Who is Eligible for WIC?
To be eligible to receive WIC benefits in Wisconsin, you must:
- Be a resident of WiIsconsin
- Make a certain amount of money (please see the income guidelines in the following section)
- Require help with health, nutrition, or breastfeeding support
- Have one of these apply to you:
- You are pregnant or gave birth to a baby in the previous six months
- You are providing your breastmilk to a WIC enrolled baby who is under the age of 1
- You provide care for a child younger than 5 years of age
If you’re already enrolled in one of the other benefits programs in Wisconsin (FoodShare, BadgerCare, etc), you may be eligible to receive WIC benefits as well.
Income Guidelines for WIC
To be eligible for WIC benefits, a family can work, but there are income guidelines that must be followed. The table below shows the most money your household can make and still get WIC benefits.
| Number of People in Household | Weekly | Bi-Weekly | Monthly | Annually |
| 1 | $557 | $1,114 | $2,413 | $28,953 |
| 2 | $753 | $1,505 | $3,261 | $39,128 |
| 3 | $949 | $1,897 | $4,109 | $49,303 |
| 4 | $1,144 | $2,288 | $4,957 | $59,478 |
| 5 | $1,340 | $2,679 | $5,805 | $69,953 |
| 6 | $1,536 | $3,071 | $6,653 | $79,828 |
| 7 | $1,731 | $3,462 | $7,501 | $90,003 |
| 8 | $1,927 | $3,853 | $8,349 | $100,178 |
| For each additional person, add: | $196 | $392 | $848 | $10,175 |
What Happens When You Apply for WIC
You will need to attend a WIC appointment. When you go to your WIC appointment, the staff will check your health and nutrition. This is called a screening. It usually includes:
- Measuring your height and weight
- Asking questions about your health and what you eat
- A small blood test to check your iron level
Everything you share is private. WIC staff will ask about your race and ethnicity, but this does not affect your application.
What You Should Bring to You First Appointment
You’ll need to bring documents that show:
1. Who You Are (Proof of Identity)
Bring ID for you and each child applying for WIC. Examples include:
- Birth certificate
- Driver’s license
- Passport
- Hospital papers (like discharge papers or wristbands)
- Tribal ID
- Military ID
If you don’t have any of these, talk to your WIC office.
2. Where You Live (Proof of Address)
You must show you live in Wisconsin. Examples include:
- A utility bill with your street address
- A rent or mortgage receipt
3. How Much Money You Make (Proof of Income)
Bring proof of income for everyone in your household. Examples include:
- Pay stubs from the last 30 days
- Letters showing you get help from programs like:
- FoodShare
- W2 (Wisconsin Works)
- TANF
- Foster Care
- Other income like:
- Child support
- Social Security
- Unemployment
How to Share Your Documents
You can give your documents:
- In person at your WIC office
- Online using a Family Portal account (ask your WIC office for a link)
To set up your Family Portal account:
- Click the link WIC sends you
- Choose English or Spanish
- Sign up with your email or Google account
- Enter your info (email, password, zip code, and birthday)
- Each time you log in, you’ll get a security code by text or email.
What Happens If You're Approved
If you’re approved, you’ll get an eWIC card. This card lets you buy healthy foods at the store.
Every three months, you’ll:
- Talk to WIC staff
- Get more food benefits
- Learn about nutrition and breastfeeding
- Get help finding doctors or other services
