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Cash help to buy food for infants

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

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.
  • You can use WIC to buy certain foods and infant formulas at stores that accept WIC.
  • You do not need to be a U.S. citizen to receive WIC.

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 Yearly income Monthly income Weekly income
1 $27,861 $2,322 $536
2 $37,814 $3,152 $728
3 $47,767 $3,981 $919
4 $57,720 $4,810 $1,110
5 $67,673 $5,640 $1,302
6 $77,626 $6,469 $1,493
7 $87,579 $7,299 $1,685
8 $97,532 $8,128 $1,876
For each additional member, add: $9,953 $830 $192

You’re automatically eligible for WIC if someone in your household is enrolled in:

  • SNAP
  • TANF (cash assistance)
  • Medicaid
  • Head Start
  • Early Head Start
  • Essential Plan healthcare (Levels 1, 2, 3, 4, and 200-250)
    • If you’re enrolled in Essential Plan Level 200-250, you qualify for WIC if you’re pregnant or are within 12 months postpartum and were on Essential Plan during your pregnancy.

Immigration status requirements

Available to all residents. You won’t be asked about your immigration status when you apply.


How to apply

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


More information

Learn more

Visit the WIC website to learn more.


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Last Updated May 13, 2025

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