Report WIC Program Overview

Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children  

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, commonly known as WIC, provides food, nutritional education and access to health care to low-income, pregnant and parenting caregivers and their children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk. Despite the program’s name, legal guardians of infants and children up to 5 years old, such as fathers, grandparents and certified foster parents, also are eligible to receive WIC food benefits for their children.  

 A program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, WIC is federally funded and administered by states, territories and tribal nations. It started as a pilot program in 1972 and was codified by Public Law 94-105 in 1975. At the time, health data showed that low-income pregnant parents, infants and young children were at greater risk of poor physical and mental health outcomes due to lack of nutrition. The program was intended to improve nutrition in the U.S. and supplement what was then known as Food Stamps (now Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP). It has since been amended to provide additional services including family planning, immunization, child maltreatment counseling and alcohol and drug use prevention. Enhancements include the formula rebate system, benefits for mothers who breastfeed and the Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program.  

WIC reaches a large portion of the U.S. population. In February 2022, 3.4 million children participated in the program, and more than half of all infant formula in the U.S. is purchased using WIC benefits. According to the Food Research and Action Center, WIC served an average of 6.25 million participants each month during the first two years of the pandemic. During the same time period, enrollment increased by 1.2% overall and by 8.7% for children.   

Eligibility

To be eligible for WIC, an applicant must meet four types of requirements: categorical, residential, income and nutritional risk. 

Categorical Eligibility

An applicant is considered categorically eligible if they meet one of the following criteria:  

• Pregnant women: during pregnancy and up to six weeks after birth or at the end of pregnancy. 
• Postpartum women: up to six months after the birth or end of pregnancy. 
• Breastfeeding women: up to the infant’s first birthday.  
• Infants: up to the infant’s first birthday. 
• Children: up to the child’s fifth birthday. 

Residential Eligibility

Applicants must live in the states in which they apply or meet guidelines set by an Indian Tribal Organization if applying in a tribal service area. Applicants may also be required to live in a local service area and apply at a WIC clinic that services that area. There is no minimum time an applicant must live in a state or local service area to be eligible for WIC.  

Income Eligibility

States have some flexibility in determining income eligibility for WIC; however, the income standard must not exceed 185% of the federal poverty level, as determined by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This amount is reevaluated every year to accurately reflect the Consumer Price Index-Urban. Income eligibility is also dependent on family size or number of members in each household. The USDA offers a supplemental chart for state agencies to determine income limits. 

Applicants who meet one of the following criteria are automatically considered income eligible:  

• Applicant participates in at least one of the following programs: SNAP, Medicaid or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.  
• Applicant has certain family members who are eligible to receive Medicaid or TANF. 
• Applicant is eligible to participate in other state-administered programs determined by the state agency. 

Nutritional Risk Eligibility

Applicants are at a nutritional risk if they have a medical or dietary-based condition. A nutrition risk assessment can be administered during an in-person WIC health assessment at no cost to the applicant, or through another healthcare professional, such as an applicant’s physician. Examples of nutritional risk include conditions such as anemia, poor diet, low weight or a history of poor pregnancy outcomes. At a minimum, an applicant’s height, weight and bloodwork must be completed to check for anemia. 

Program Administration and Delivery

The WIC food benefits package varies depending on pregnancy status and number of children. The USDA specifies the maximum monthly allowances of supplemental foods for children and women dependent on food packages.  

The monthly food packages for infants vary depending on if an infant is fully formula fed, partially breastfed or fully breastfed. Because of the numerous benefits of breastfeeding including lowering a baby’s risk of infections and diseases, and supporting maternal bonding through skin-to-skin contact, women who fully breastfeed receive a larger food package for both them and their baby. When the child finishes breastfeeding, they receive more nutritional packages as they grow older. 

Unlike SNAP or TANF, programs that allow flexibility in what participants purchase, the WIC program specifies which foods and how many of those food items may be purchased each month. The USDA provides detailed information regarding eligible food items and quantities per category. 

State Application Process and Flexibility

Although WIC is largely standardized across states to ensure consistency and reach, states do have some flexibility in how applicants apply for the program. For example, proof of address, income level or identification requirements can vary based on the local WIC agency requirements. Many states allow online applications and offer services via telephone or an in-person consultation. For more information on the state-by-state application process, see the USDA state agency map.  

WIC Programs and Services

The WIC program offers services beyond the monthly food benefit. Breastfeeding support and counseling including lactation assistance for postpartum mothers, nutrition education classes, access to registered dietitians and the Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program are commonly available through WIC. Some WIC agencies also partner with the WICShopper application which helps participants identify and find eligible grocery items.  

While the WIC program is largely administered by local agencies, at the state level WIC partners with other federal agencies, advocacy groups, nonprofit organizations, technology companies, farmers, food manufacturers, vendors and other stakeholders to implement the program.  

Program Funding

The WIC program is funded through federal discretionary spending. Congress typically appropriates $5-$6 billion annually to cover all eligible WIC recipients. The USDA Food and Nutrition Service allocates grants to each state, territory and Indian Tribal Organization (ITO) to administer WIC programs. States are not required to contribute state funds to WIC.   

The WIC program is authorized in the Child Nutrition Act. The most recent reauthorization was the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 which included the transition from WIC paper benefits to the Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card. The Child Nutrition Act is intended to be reauthorized every five years. Though the current authorization expired in 2015, the program has continued to operate through annual appropriations since fiscal year 2016.  

Additionally, the American Rescue Plan Act provided $390 million through FY2024 to support modernization efforts and increase WIC participation outreach. 

Pandemic-era Flexibilities

At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress introduced waivers for state agencies that removed barriers to access the WIC program and increased the value of WIC benefits, resulting in an overall increase in participation across the United States. These waivers allow for remote services that remove the need to pick up WIC benefits in person, virtual enrollment or re-enrollment, as well as postponement of certain medical exams that may be a barrier to receiving WIC benefits. These state waivers will remain in effect until Sept. 30, 2026. 

Health Benefits

WIC has produced numerous health benefits for program participants. Research has shown that young children in the program have greater access to health care, higher rates of immunization and lower prevalence of anemia and obesity.  

Childhood food insecurity is associated with an increased likelihood of poor health and developmental outcomes. Research has found the WIC program is associated with a 20% lower prevalence of food insecurity among participating households with children. Even marginal food insecurity as an adult can be associated with pregnancy complications, obesity, depression and other negative health outcomes.  

Research from the USDA has shown numerous other positive health outcomes:  

• Fewer premature births. 
• Fewer fetal and infant deaths. 
• Fewer low-birth-weight infants. 
• Increased duration of pregnancy. 
• Improved growth of nutritionally at-risk infants and children. 
• Improved dietary intake of pregnant and postpartum women. 
• Improved weight gain in pregnant women. 
• Earlier receival of prenatal care. 
• More regular medical care and up-to-date immunizations for children. 
• Improved intellectual development in children. 
• Improved dietary intake for children. 
• Savings in health care costs for women, infants and children. 

Additionally, breastfeeding rates among WIC participants has increased by 43% over the last 16 years, a practice that has been known to decrease cases of sudden infant death syndrome and obesity, as well as protect against other illnesses. WIC staff are trained to promote breastfeeding and to provide the following types of support to new breastfeeding mothers:  

• Breastfeeding peer counselors. 
• Lactation consultants. 
• Breastfeeding aids such as breast pumps, breast shells, etc. 
• Classes and support groups. 
• Educational materials. 
• Hotlines and online platforms for assistance. 

Recent State Policy Trends

States have flexibility to improve their state WIC program through application-process improvements, expanded eligible food items and establishment of the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program.  

Supporting Technological Advances

In 2023, Georgia (SB 177) introduced the Food Insecurity Eradication Act that would create a food advisory council to oversee and support the modernization of WIC and streamlining how grocery store operators can obtain their WIC license. A push for technological advancements using WIC EBT cards in New Jersey (SB 539) introduced legislation in 2022 to increase access to WIC benefits by permitting the purchase of eligible foods using an online platform, carrying over unused balances from month to month, and allowing WIC benefits for grocery delivery charges and expanded infant formula options.  

Increasing Eligible Items to Purchase

Illinois (HB 155) enacted legislation to add menstrual hygiene products (as allowable through a federal waiver) as an eligible item under the WIC program, as well as SNAP and TANF. Legislation introduced in Iowa (HF 177) also aims to increase flexibility for WIC participants by allowing noncontract brand infant formula, including formula imported from Canada and formula available online. The bill requires Iowa’s department of health and human services to obtain the necessary waivers from the USDA to approve these changes. Similarly, if the USDA makes available a state waiver allowing WIC recipients to use their benefits to purchase diapers or feminine hygiene products, pending legislation in Missouri (HB 126) would require its department of social services or department of health and senior services to apply for such waiver, should one become available.  

Improving Coverage and Support

Kentucky passed HR 99 / SR 203 in 2020 to recognize the health benefits of consuming safe, affordable and culturally appropriate food. The resolution also notes the economic benefits of allowing or incentivizing purchases of locally grown foods through WIC and other federal nutritional benefit programs. The resolution highlights a state program that matches WIC benefits at farmers markets. Similarly, New Hampshire (SB 233) introduced legislation that would re-establish the WIC Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program in its state. The bill would increase access to locally grown fruits and vegetables through vouchers redeemable at local farmers markets.

Introduced Federal Legislation

On the federal level, Congress introduced the Wise Investment in Children Act of 2023 which would expand WIC eligibility for children up to their sixth birthday or the beginning of kindergarten, whichever comes earlier. The act would allow state waivers to expand eligibility for children and extend the certification period for infants and postpartum women to two years. Another bill introduced in 2023 titled the Farm Fresh Food for Families Act, would modernize the Farmers Market Nutrition Program under WIC to increase children’s access to locally grown food. Both bills have been introduced and referred to committees.  

This informational resource was produced by Hayleigh Rockenback, 29th Class Emerson Fellow with the Congressional Hunger Center. Some content was adapted from the works of previous Emerson Fellow, Rosa Rada, who served with NCSL in 2018.