USDA Adjusts WIC Income Limits Effective July 1, 2026
Published Date: 4/29/2026
Notice
Summary
Starting July 1, 2026, the USDA is updating the income limits for the WIC program, which helps women, infants, and kids get nutritious food. These new guidelines let states decide who qualifies based on the latest income changes, making sure the right families get support. If your household income fits the new rules, you could get more help with healthy food soon!
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Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Updated WIC Income Limits July 2026
Starting July 1, 2026, the USDA published new WIC income eligibility limits for July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. For example, the 100% Federal poverty guideline for a household of 1 is $15,960 and the 185% reduced-price meals threshold is $29,526; for a household of 4 the poverty guideline is $33,000 and the 185% threshold is $61,050. The table in the notice lists these annual, monthly, bi-weekly, and weekly limits for the 48 contiguous States, D.C., Guam and Territories, and separate higher tables for Alaska and Hawaii, plus add-on amounts per additional family member.
State Flexibility Within 100%–185% Band
State agencies may set WIC income guidelines either equal to the reduced-price school meals standard (185% of the Federal poverty guidelines) or identical to State or local guidelines for free or reduced-price health care, but cannot set WIC guidelines above 185% or below 100% of the Federal poverty guidelines. These bounds apply for the July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027 period.
States May Align WIC With Medicaid Timing
State agencies may implement the revised WIC income guidelines concurrently with revised Medicaid income eligibility guidelines earlier in the year, but implementation may not occur later than July 1, 2026; states that do not coordinate must implement on or before July 1, 2026. This affects when families may see the new WIC eligibility applied in their state.
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