WIC Income Limits Get a Ho-Hum Poverty-Level Tweak
Published Date: 3/10/2025
Notice
Summary
Starting July 1, 2025, the income limits for families applying to the WIC program will be updated to match the latest federal poverty guidelines. This means more accurate income checks for women, infants, and children seeking nutrition help. These changes help make sure the right families get the support they need without any extra paperwork hassle.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
WIC income limits set at 185% of poverty
WIC income eligibility for July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 is based on 185% of the Federal poverty guidelines. For example, for the 48 contiguous States a 1-person household 100% poverty guideline is $15,650 and the 185% (WIC eligibility) amount is $28,953; for a 4-person household 100% is $32,150 and the 185% amount is $59,478.
States may use local guidelines within limits
State agencies may adopt income guidelines identical to State or local guidelines for free or reduced-price health care, but any WIC guideline cannot exceed the reduced-price school meals standard (185% of poverty) or be less than 100% of the Federal poverty guidelines. The poverty guidelines published by HHS on January 17, 2025 were multiplied by 1.85 and rounded up to set the WIC amounts.
Higher WIC income limits for AK and HI
Separate WIC income tables apply to Alaska and Hawaii. For example, for Alaska a 4-person household 100% poverty guideline is $40,190 and the 185% (WIC eligibility) amount is $74,352; for Hawaii a 4-person household 100% poverty guideline is $36,980 and the 185% amount is $68,413.
State timing: may align with Medicaid
State WIC agencies may implement the revised WIC income guidelines at the same time they implement revised Medicaid income guidelines, but in no case may implementation occur later than July 1, 2025. If a State does not coordinate with Medicaid, it must implement the WIC guidelines on or before July 1, 2025.
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