You can get WIC and SNAP at the same time, and if you’re on SNAP you automatically meet WIC’s income test. The two programs do different jobs. SNAP gives most low-income households a monthly amount to buy almost any grocery food. WIC is narrower: it’s for pregnant women, new mothers, babies and children under 5, and it provides specific healthy foods plus nutrition help and breastfeeding support. WIC’s income limit is higher, at 185% of the poverty line.
Side-by-side
| SNAP | WIC | |
|---|---|---|
| Who | Most low-income households, any age | Pregnant women; mothers up to 6 months after birth (1 year if breastfeeding); infants; children under 5 |
| Income limit | 130% of poverty (gross) for most | 185% of poverty; automatic if on SNAP, Medicaid or TANF |
| Other test | Assets and deductions | A free health check for “nutritional risk” |
| What it buys | Almost any grocery food | A set list: milk, eggs, cheese, cereal, whole grains, beans, peanut butter, canned fish, infant formula and baby food, plus a fruit and vegetable amount |
| How you get it | EBT card, monthly | WIC EBT card, with a food list tailored to each person |
| Extra services | Job training (E&T) in every state | Nutrition counseling, breastfeeding support, referrals to health care |
| Run by | State SNAP agency | State and local WIC clinics |
WIC income limits (July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027)
| Household size | Monthly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2,461 | $29,526 |
| 2 | $3,337 | $40,034 |
| 3 | $4,212 | $50,542 |
| 4 | $5,088 | $61,050 |
| 5 | $5,964 | $71,558 |
| 6 | $6,839 | $82,066 |
| Each extra person | +$876 | +$10,508 |
These are for the 48 states, DC and territories; Alaska and Hawaii are higher. A pregnant woman usually counts as two people (herself and the unborn baby) for WIC; ask your WIC clinic how your state counts. For SNAP limits, see SNAP eligibility and income limits.
The fruit and vegetable benefit
WIC gives each participant a monthly dollar amount just for fruits and vegetables. For October 2025 through September 2026 it was:
| Participant | Monthly |
|---|---|
| Child (1 to 4) | $26 |
| Pregnant or postpartum | $48 |
| Breastfeeding | $52 |
The new amounts for the year starting October 1, 2026 hadn’t been published when we checked. The administration’s 2027 budget proposed cutting these amounts; Congress hadn’t acted as of September 2026.
A family using both
A family of four in Ohio: two parents, a 3-year-old and a baby. They get SNAP. That makes them income-eligible for WIC with no extra income paperwork. After the WIC health check, the mother (breastfeeding), the baby and the toddler each get WIC foods. The family uses WIC for milk, eggs, cereal, baby food and produce, and SNAP for everything else: meat, bread, rice, snacks and more produce. WIC foods don’t lower SNAP benefits.
Who should apply for which
| Your situation | Apply for |
|---|---|
| Pregnant, any income up to 185% of poverty | WIC now; SNAP too if under SNAP limits |
| Child under 5 in the home | WIC for the child; SNAP for the household |
| No children under 5, not pregnant | SNAP only |
| Just had a baby | Both; add the baby to your SNAP case too |
Pregnant? See our full guide to SNAP for pregnant women.
When WIC funding was at risk
During the 43-day federal shutdown in October and November 2025, WIC ran low on money. Emergency transfers kept it going, and the deal that ended the shutdown on November 12, 2025 funded WIC for the rest of the fiscal year. SNAP November benefits were also delayed in many states. Funding for the year starting October 1, 2026 depends on Congress passing spending bills.
How to apply
- SNAP: apply through your state agency; see how to apply for SNAP.
- WIC: contact your state or local WIC office and make an appointment. Bring ID, proof of address, and proof of SNAP, Medicaid or TANF if you have it. Children need to come to the appointment for the health check.
Both use EBT cards, but they’re separate cards and balances. Check your SNAP balance the usual ways; see how to check your EBT balance.
Quick answers
Does WIC count as income for SNAP? No.
Can dads or grandparents get WIC for a child? Yes. Fathers, grandparents, foster parents and other guardians can apply for children under 5.
Do I need to be a citizen for WIC? WIC doesn’t have the same citizenship rules as SNAP. Ask your WIC clinic, and see SNAP for immigrants for the SNAP rules and the 2026 public charge change.
More SNAP help by topic: SNAP and EBT guides.
Sources: USDA: WIC eligibility, USDA: WIC income guidelines 2026-2027, USDA: WIC FAQs, USDA: WIC FY2026 cash-value benefit amounts, FactCheck.org: WIC during the 2025 shutdown, NWA: Shutdown deal funds WIC.