North Carolina program
Food for a child under 5
Food benefits and nutrition support for a child under five, a pregnant parent or a new mother.
What it is
Food benefits and nutrition support for a child under five, a pregnant parent or a new mother.
WIC helps with specific foods and nutrition needs. A child under five does not need to be the child receiving cancer treatment. The local clinic checks income eligibility and the family’s nutrition needs.
Eligibility rules
- The income line is 185% of poverty. From June 8, 2026, it is $4,212 monthly for three or $5,088 for four.
- Eligible groups include children under five, pregnant parents and new mothers.
What you get
- Free monthly food benefits.
- Nutrition advice and breastfeeding support.
What the help covers
- The clinic chooses the food package. WIC is separate from SNAP and can accompany it.
If you decide to apply
- Ask the social worker whether WIC would help someone in your family; a local clinic can be found by calling or texting 844-601-6881.
- Have identity documents, current income and the children’s health records ready for the appointment.
NC WIC local-clinic referral: call or text 844-601-6881. State WIC office: 919-707-5800. · Official page ↗
If you decide to apply
- The local WIC clinic handles the appointment and sets up benefits if eligible.
Good to know
Medicaid, SNAP or TANF participation establishes the WIC income requirement; the clinic checks the other requirements.
Other details
- WIC does not require U.S. citizenship and does not ask for or keep visa or citizenship information. It can cover a parent for six months after pregnancy, or while breastfeeding through the baby’s first birthday. The clinic still checks residence, the eligible person and nutritional risk.
Official sources
“Would WIC fit anyone in our family, including a younger sibling? Could the clinic help with food needs during treatment, and could you help us decide whether to make an appointment?”
Why I’m asking: I want to understand the food support available for the younger children in our family.
More background and detailed requirements
Additional program information and published rules
Who does what
The three parts, side by side. The agency decides; nobody on this page does.
You
Bring income and the children’s records to one appointment.
Your social worker
The clinic works out the food package.
The care team
Records and letters when the application asks for them.
- Who decides
- The local WIC clinic.
- Ask your social worker
- “Is there a WIC clinic near the hospital we can use while we are here?”
How to apply
First step: Call 919-707-5800 for the nearest clinic.
- Call 919-707-5800 for the nearest clinic.
- Take the child’s records and this month’s income.
Official application / program page ↗
Where it starts: Call or text 844-601-6881 for a local WIC referral; 919-707-5800 is the state office.
What to gather
- This month’s income
- The children’s health records
- Identity documents
How long: Usually one appointment.
What a yes looks like
A food package set up at the clinic.
What a no looks like, and the next move
Check which household size was used.
Watch out
- A sibling under five counts, not only the child on treatment.
The numbers and the rules
The arcane layer, kept on purpose. Checked September 11, 2026.
What it is worth
Monthly food benefits for a child under five. The line is $5,088 a month for four.
- $5,088/month — Family of 4, income limit
- $4,212/month — Family of 3, income limit
Covers: Monthly food benefits · Nutrition advice and breastfeeding support
What it costs the family: No cost.
The eligibility facts, as published
- Age
- Children under five; pregnant participants; breastfeeding participants through the infant’s first birthday; nonbreastfeeding postpartum participants through six months after pregnancy ends.
- Income
- at or below 185% of the poverty line
The trap: A sibling under five counts too, not only the child on treatment.
Where I read this
- NCDHHS: My WIC — NC DHHS Community Nutrition Services Section, read September 10, 2026
- Contact the Community Nutrition Services Section — NC DHHS, read September 10, 2026