Cash help to buy food for infants
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) | NYS Department of Health (NYSDOH)
1. 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.
2. Determine your eligibility
You may be eligible if you can answer yes to these questions:
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
Do you live in New York State?
Is your income at or less than what’s shown on the chart?
If your household size is 1, your yearly income must be at or below $27,861, your monthly income must be at or below $2,322, and your weekly income must be at or below $536.
If your household size is 2, your yearly income must be at or below $37,814, your monthly income must be at or below $3,152, and your weekly income must be at or below $728.
If your household size is 3, your yearly income must be at or below $47,767, your monthly income must be at or below $3,981, and your weekly income must be at or below $919.
If your household size is 4, your yearly income must be at or below $57,720, your monthly income must be at or below $4,810, and your weekly income must be at or below $1,110.
If your household size is 5, your yearly income must be at or below $67,673, your monthly income must be at or below $5,640, and your weekly income must be at or below $1,302.
If your household size is 6, your yearly income must be at or below $77,626, your monthly income must be at or below $6,469, and your weekly income must be at or below $1,493.
If your household size is 7, your yearly income must be at or below $87,579, your monthly income must be at or below $7,299, and your weekly income must be at or below $1,685.
If your household size is 8, your yearly income must be at or below $97,532, your monthly income must be at or below $8,128, and your weekly income must be at or below $1,876.
For each additional member, add $9,953 to your yearly income, $830 to your monthly income, and $192 to your weekly income.
If you already get SNAP, Medicaid, or TANF benefits, you may be eligible for WIC.
3. How to apply
Here are your options.
Apply in person
Make an appointment at your local WIC agency or call the Growing Up Healthy Hotline at 800-522-5006.
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.
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.