Find out if you qualify for WIC in New York
Enter the household size and monthly income to see whether a household may meet the WIC income limit in New York. Results are instant, and nothing is stored.
The WIC income limit in New York 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 New York 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.
New York Special Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
New York’s Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program is a special supplemental food program for women, infants, and children up to the age of five.
It provides nutritious foods along with nutrition education, breastfeeding support and information on where to apply for free or low-cost health care or other needed services in the community.
Applicants must meet the following criteria to be eligible for WIC:
- Live in New York.
- 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 federal poverty limit.
- Have a nutritional need or risk.
What is the income limit for WIC in New York?
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, WIC serves women, infants, and children in New York whose income is at or below 185% of the federal 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 |
Participants in an adjunct program — Medicaid, food stamps (SNAP), TANF, Head Start, Early Head Start are automatically eligible for the program.
How long does WIC last in NY?
In New York, 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 much does WIC pay per month in New York?
In New York, children ages 1—4 receive $26 per month, while pregnant and postpartum women receive $47 per month, and breastfeeding women receive $52 per month.
How do I apply for WIC in NY?
Families applying for WIC benefits must go to the local agency to apply and be present at the time of application. To locate the local WIC agency nearest to you, call
New York State Department of Health
New York WIC
(800) 522-5006
Sources & notes
Data and figures on this page come from the sources and notes below:
Footnotes
-
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