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Healthy food for families

Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) | NYS Department of Health (NYSDOH)

1. How it Works

WIC helps low-income women and their children buy food. You’ll get an eWIC card for buying food. You’ll also get access to services like nutrition counseling, breastfeeding support, health education, and referrals to other programs.

  • WIC staff will help you determine which food packages are right for you and your children.
  • WIC can be used to buy certain foods. Food must be bought at stores that accept WIC. WIC can also help you buy infant formula if you need.
  • You do not need to be a U.S. citizen to receive WIC.

2. Determine your eligibility

You may be eligible if you can answer yes to these questions:

  1. Are you one of these?
    • pregnant
    • a mother of a baby up to six months
    • a breastfeeding mother of a baby up to 12 months old
    • a parent or caregiver of a child up to age five
  2. Do you live in New York State?
  3. Is your income at or less than what’s shown on the chart?
Household size Gross annual income
1 $26,973
2 $36,482
3 $45,991
4 $55,500
5 $65,009
6 $74,518
7 $84,027
8 $93,536
For each additional member, add: $9,509

If you already get SNAP, Medicaid, or TANF benefits, you may be eligible for WIC.

Take a short survey to see if you might be eligible for this or 30 other programs.

Am I Eligible?

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3. How to Apply

3. How to apply

Here are your options.

Apply in person

  1. Make an appointment at your local WIC agency or call the Growing Up Healthy Hotline at 800-522-5006.
  2. Go to your appointment with your documents. Each person applying for WIC must be at the appointment.
    • The WIC agency will also tell you if you need to bring this WIC Medical Referral Form completed by your health care provider.
    • If your child has special dietary needs, your health care provider may give a completed Medical Documentation Form for you to bring.
  3. You and your family members will be assessed during your appointment. This includes a finger stick blood test, height and weight, and a discussion of your health and nutrition concerns.

Find a location

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More ways to get help with this program

Learn more

Visit the WIC website to learn more.

Last Updated June 2, 2023

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