Find out if you qualify for WIC in California
Enter the household size and monthly income to see whether a household may meet the WIC income limit in California. Results are instant, and nothing is stored.
The WIC income limit in California for a household of 4 counted for WIC is $5,088 a month ($61,050 a year), which is 185% of the federal poverty level. A pregnant woman counts as two people, so the unborn child is added to the household size.
The applicant must also live in California and have a nutritional need or risk, which a health professional determines at the WIC appointment. Amounts are estimates, and the WIC agency makes the final decision.
California Special Program for Women, Infants & Children (WIC)
California WIC is a federally funded supplemental nutrition program that serves nutritionally at-risk, low-income families in California.
Applicants must meet the following criteria to be eligible for WIC:
- Be a resident of California.
- Be a pregnant, postpartum or breastfeeding woman, an infant or a child under 5 years old.
- Have a household income less than 185% of the poverty threshold.
- Have a nutritional need or risk.
WIC services include but are not limited to:
- Prenatal nutrition
- Breastfeeding support
- Nutrition education
- Health referral, plus much more
How much are WIC benefits per month in California?
In California, children ages 1—4 will receive $26 per month, while pregnant and postpartum women receive $47 per month, and breastfeeding women receive $52 per month.
What is the income limit for WIC in California?
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, to qualify for WIC, you must be a resident of the state of California with income not exceeding 185% of the national poverty level.1 That’s about $4,212 per month for a family of three.
| Household Size | ANNUAL LIMIT | MONTLY LIMIT |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $29,526 | $2,461 |
| 2 | $40,034 | $3,336 |
| 3 | $50,542 | $4,212 |
| 4 | $61,050 | $5,088 |
| 5 | $71,558 | $5,963 |
| 6 | $82,066 | $6,839 |
| 7 | $92,574 | $7,715 |
| 8 | $103,082 | $8,590 |
How long can I stay on WIC in California?
In California, WIC benefits last for different lengths of time depending on who is receiving them:
- Pregnant women: through pregnancy and up to 6 weeks after birth
- Breastfeeding women: up to 12 months after childbirth
- Non-breastfeeding postpartum women: up to 6 months after childbirth
- Infants: from birth until their first birthday
- Children: from age 1 until their 5th birthday
WIC is not automatic. Participants must recertify periodically to continue receiving benefits.
How do I apply for WIC in California?
WIC has local offices throughout California that accept walk-ins. Call your local WIC office for an appointment and locations near you.
California Department of Public Health
California WIC
(800) 852-5770
Sources & notes
Data and figures on this page come from the sources and notes below:
Footnotes
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U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, WIC eligibility requirements . ↩
About this information
SingleMotherGuide.com is an independent state-by-state reference guide and is not affiliated with any government agency. Program amounts and income limits are compiled from official federal and state sources, which are cited on the page, and are reviewed periodically and updated as those sources change.
The information is provided for general guidance and is not legal or financial advice. The administering agency makes the final determination of eligibility and benefit amounts. To report an error, please contact us.
Data freshness
Figures on this page are compiled from the public sources cited above and may change; refer to the cited sources for the most current information.
- Last updated
- Updated by
- Ada Hu