Federal, exists in every state
WIC food and nutrition support for a child under 5
Selected foods, nutrition support and referrals for children under 5 and pregnant or recently pregnant parents.
What it is
Selected foods, nutrition support and referrals for children under 5 and pregnant or recently pregnant parents.
WIC checks each eligible child, pregnant person or recently pregnant person separately. Income within the ordinary limit can meet the income screen; participation in an accepted benefit can provide another route. The clinic also checks nutrition needs.
Eligibility rules
- Federal categories include children under five, pregnancy, postpartum participants through six months and breastfeeding participants through the infant’s first birthday. The Tennessee clinic confirms the certification dates and other requirements.
- Income at or under 185% of the poverty level ($50,542 a year or $4,212 a month for 3, effective July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027), or current participation in Medicaid, TANF or SNAP.
- Tennessee WIC checks the applicant’s category, Tennessee residence, income or an accepted qualifying benefit, and nutrition risk. It serves pregnant people, eligible postpartum or breastfeeding people, infants and children under five; the local WIC clinic confirms the certification period and accepted identity, residence and income records. The clinic can explain its current citizenship or immigration policy, accepted documents and alternatives; another benefit program’s paperwork rules do not decide WIC requirements. The local health department or Tennessee WIC, 1-800-342-5942, can explain the actual requirements.
What you get
- A monthly food package for each eligible child, usable alongside SNAP.
- Nutrition support and referrals.
What it is not
- Not the whole grocery budget. Prescribed formulas are not automatically covered; ask the clinic.
If you decide to apply
- Ask your county health department or Tennessee WIC, 1-800-342-5942, for an appointment.
- Ask the clinic which identity, residence and income records to bring, including any current TennCare, SNAP or Families First approval.
Tennessee WIC, 1-800-342-5942 · Official page ↗
After you apply
- Each participant has a separate certification. An older child’s treatment does not rule out an eligible pregnancy or postpartum participant elsewhere in the family.
Good to know
WIC can review your younger child using your income now; qualifying benefit participation can simplify the income check, but you do not need to wait for another program’s decision.
Other details
- An older child’s diagnosis does not create WIC eligibility.
Official sources
“Could WIC help an eligible child, pregnancy or postpartum person in our family, and could you help us arrange a clinic discussion?”
Why I’m asking: I want to understand whether food and nutrition support fits anyone 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
Book the clinic appointment and bring proof of income or the Medicaid or SNAP card.
Your social worker
The social worker gives you the nearest food-program clinic's contact details and helps you gather proof of income or current benefits.
The care team
The social worker gives you the nearest food-program clinic's contact details.
- Who decides
- The local WIC clinic
- Ask the agency
- “Can we book a WIC appointment? Does Medicaid or SNAP meet the income requirement?”
How to apply
First step: Call the local WIC clinic (ask the social worker for the contact) and book the appointment.
- Use the state WIC option when a household member fits.
Where it starts: State WIC option. Ask the social worker for the contact
What to gather
- Proof of income or the Medicaid or SNAP card
- Identity and address
- The child's immunization record if asked
How long: One clinic visit. Benefits usually load the same day.
What a yes looks like
A WIC card loaded with the monthly package.
What a no looks like, and the next move
If income is too high or nobody fits a participant group, ask again if income drops or a baby arrives.
Watch out
- Each participant gets a set food package. The card does not cover all groceries.
- Bring proof of Medicaid or SNAP so the clinic can check the income requirement.
The numbers and the rules
The arcane layer, kept on purpose. Checked September 7, 2026.
What it is worth
For a child aged 1 to 4, the federal package includes $26 a month in fruit and vegetables plus specified foods.
- $26/month — Child age 1–4 fruit and vegetable value
Covers: Specified food package · Nutrition education · Breastfeeding support · Health and social referrals
What it costs the family: No premium.
The eligibility facts, as published
- Participant category
- pregnant or postpartum person, infant, or child under 5
- Income ceiling percent fpl
- 185
- Adjunctive eligibility
- Medicaid or SNAP in the household
Decisions this site cannot make: Financial and nutrition-risk eligibility
Expect friction on: A clinic appointment
The trap: The food program (WIC) provides a set package for each participant. It does not cover all groceries.
What changes by state: The application option and the clinic. The income table is federal (July 2026 through June 2027).
Where I read this
- WIC 2026–2027 Income Eligibility Guidelines — U.S. Department of Agriculture, read August 27, 2026
- WIC Food Package IV for Children — U.S. Department of Agriculture, read August 27, 2026