California WIC Program
Benefits, Eligibility & How to Apply
California WIC Agency Contact
About the California WIC Program
Ready to apply for California WIC?
Apply online at www.phfewic.org → or call 800-852-5770 to get started.
California runs the largest WIC program in the country, administered by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) through a network of local agencies across the state. The program serves pregnant women, breastfeeding and chestfeeding individuals, postpartum individuals, infants, and children under age five — from urban centers like Los Angeles and San Francisco to rural agricultural communities throughout the Central Valley.
California's program has deep roots in serving the state's large Latino, immigrant, and agricultural worker communities. Local WIC agencies range from county public health departments to large private nonprofit organizations, allowing the program to reach families across the state's diverse regions.
Who Qualifies for WIC in California
California WIC is open to pregnant women, breastfeeding or chestfeeding individuals up to one year postpartum, postpartum individuals up to six months after delivery or pregnancy loss, infants, and children under age five. Fathers, foster parents, grandparents, and other guardians can apply on behalf of eligible children. Working families, military families, and migrant farmworker families are all explicitly welcome.
If your household receives Medi-Cal, CalFresh, CalWORKs (TANF), or the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), you automatically meet WIC's income requirement — bring your current enrollment card or letter instead of income documents. For households not in those programs, the standard threshold is 185% of the federal poverty level. Each foster child is counted as a household of one for income purposes.
What California WIC Provides
Benefits are loaded onto a California WIC Card (eWIC) that works like a debit card at authorized grocery stores statewide, including major chains like Ralphs, Walmart, Target, and Stater Bros. California also accepts the WIC Card at participating farmers' markets — allowing participants to buy fresh, locally grown produce directly from farmers. Use the farmers' market locator at myfamily.wic.ca.gov to find participating markets near you.
California updated its approved food package in 2025-2026, expanding options for whole grains, proteins, and produce. The full current approved food list is available through the California WIC App (free on iOS and Android) and at myfamily.wic.ca.gov. Your local WIC agency can tell you exactly which items and brands your benefits cover.
Every participant receives a Cash Value Benefit (CVB) for fruits and vegetables: $26 per month for children, $47 per month for pregnant or postpartum individuals, and $52 per month for breastfeeding individuals. Fresh herbs are covered under the CVB.
How to Apply for WIC in California
California does not have a single statewide online application — WIC is delivered locally, so the process starts by finding and contacting the agency that serves your county. The easiest starting point is myfamily.wic.ca.gov, the state's WIC family portal, which has an office search tool and eligibility pre-screener.
Some local agencies offer their own online application forms. PHFE WIC, which serves Los Angeles County, Orange County, and San Bernardino County, accepts online applications at phfewic.org. Check your local agency's website once you've found it through the office locator.
Recertification in California
Certification periods follow federal guidelines. Pregnant participants are certified through delivery. Breastfeeding participants are certified up to one year postpartum. Postpartum non-breastfeeding participants are certified for six months. Children are certified annually. Your local WIC office will notify you when recertification is coming up. Benefits stop on the certification end date — don't wait until the last week to schedule your recertification appointment, especially at busy urban agencies.
The California WIC App
California has its own dedicated WIC app — the California WIC App, available free on iOS and Android — that lets participants view food benefits, scan UPC barcodes at the store to check if an item is approved, find nearby WIC-authorized stores and farmers' markets, and view upcoming appointments. If you're a California WIC participant, the app is the fastest way to shop confidently without guessing which products are approved.
Income at or below 185% FPL. Automatic eligibility with Medicaid, SNAP, or TANF.
Monthly food benefits loaded to your WIC EBT card plus nutrition education and breastfeeding support.
Frequently Asked Questions — California WIC
Start by finding your local WIC agency at myfamily.wic.ca.gov using the office search tool. California WIC is delivered locally, so you'll contact the agency that serves your county. Some local agencies offer online applications — PHFE WIC, which serves Los Angeles County, Orange County, and San Bernardino County, accepts online applications at phfewic.org.
If your household receives Medi-Cal, CalFresh, CalWORKs, or FDPIR (Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations), you automatically meet WIC's income requirement in California. Bring your current enrollment card or documentation to your appointment instead of income paperwork.
California uses the federal WIC income threshold of 185% of the federal poverty level. For a household of four, that is $4,957 per month or $59,478 per year in gross income for the 2025–2026 benefit year. If your household receives Medi-Cal, CalFresh, CalWORKs, or FDPIR, you automatically meet the income requirement without needing to provide income documentation.
Yes. The California WIC App is available free on iOS and Android. It lets you view your food benefits and upcoming appointments, scan barcodes at the store to check if items are WIC approved, and find nearby WIC-authorized grocery stores and farmers' markets.
Yes. California WIC participants can use their California WIC Card at participating farmers' markets to purchase fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables. Use the farmers' market locator at myfamily.wic.ca.gov to find participating markets near you.
California runs the largest WIC program in the country, serving more participants than any other state. Participation data by state is published annually by USDA FNS. Contact the California Department of Public Health or visit myfamily.wic.ca.gov for current program information.
California WIC Income Limits 2026
| Household Size | Annual Gross Income | Monthly Gross Income |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $28,953 | $2,413 |
| 2 | $39,128 | $3,261 |
| 3 | $49,303 | $4,109 |
| 4 | $59,478 | $4,957 |
| 5 | $69,653 | $5,805 |
| 6 | $79,828 | $6,653 |
| 7 | $90,003 | $7,501 |
| 8 | $100,178 | $8,349 |
| Each additional person | add $10,175 | add $848 |
| Effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. Figures are 185% of the federal poverty guidelines for the 48 contiguous states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories (including Guam). Alaska and Hawaii residents see higher income limits. Source: USDA FNS Federal Register notice 2025-03576 (90 FR 11598). | ||
Automatic Income Eligibility in California
If your household currently participates in any of these programs, you automatically meet WIC's income requirement in California:
- Medi-Cal (California's Medicaid program)
- CalFresh (California's SNAP/food stamps program)
- CalWORKs (California's TANF cash assistance program)
- FDPIR (Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations)
Bring your current Medi-Cal card, CalFresh letter, or CalWORKs documentation to your appointment instead of income paperwork. Your application will be processed faster.
What Counts as Income in California
California WIC counts all gross household income including wages, self-employment income, Social Security payments, child support, alimony, unemployment benefits, and military pay including Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for military families. CalFresh benefits, housing assistance, and tax refunds are not counted as income.
Income Is Not the Only Requirement
Meeting the income threshold qualifies you on one criterion, but California WIC also requires a nutritional risk determination made by a WIC health professional at your free appointment. Nearly all applicants meet at least one nutritional risk criterion. Use the eligibility pre-screener at myfamily.wic.ca.gov to get an initial sense of whether you qualify before contacting a local office.
California WIC Approved Foods
California WIC updated its approved food package in 2025-2026, expanding options for whole grains, proteins, and produce. The full current approved food list is available through the California WIC App (free on iOS and Android) and at myfamily.wic.ca.gov. Your local WIC agency can tell you exactly which items and brands are approved under your current benefits.
Food Package Updates
California WIC periodically updates its approved food list to reflect current nutrition science and USDA guidance. The 2025-2026 update expanded whole grain options, protein choices, and produce availability. Check the California WIC App or the state portal for the most current list — items and approved brands can change with each update cycle. Update the California WIC App if you haven't recently, as approved items are reflected in the app's barcode scanner.
Farmers' Market Shopping
California WIC participants can use their California WIC Card at participating farmers' markets to purchase fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables — a meaningful benefit in a state with year-round produce availability. Use the farmers' market locator at myfamily.wic.ca.gov to find markets near you that accept the WIC Card.
Shopping Tips for California WIC
Use the California WIC App to scan barcodes at the store and instantly check whether a product is approved. Look for WIC shelf stickers for brand-specific items. Your Cash Value Benefit (CVB) for fruits and vegetables — $26/month for children, $47/month for pregnant or postpartum individuals, $52/month for breastfeeding individuals — can be used at authorized grocery stores and participating farmers' markets. Benefits do not roll over month to month, so use them before the end of each benefit period.
If an item won't scan as approved at checkout, check the brand and package size against the California WIC App or ask your local WIC office for the current Shopping Guide. You can also contact California WIC at wic@cdph.ca.gov for assistance.
