Connecticut WIC Program
Benefits, Eligibility & How to Apply
Connecticut WIC Agency Contact
About the Connecticut WIC Program
Ready to apply for Connecticut WIC?
Apply online at dphsubmissions.ct.gov → or call 1-800-741-2142 to get started.
Connecticut WIC is administered by the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) and serves a large share of the state's eligible families. According to a Johns Hopkins MORE WIC! grant report citing Connecticut DPH data, the program serves over 50,000 clients per month and covers approximately 47% of the eligible population — though these figures reflect the most recently available grant-period data and may not reflect current enrollment. The program funds 12 local agency WIC programs that operate 23 full-time offices and 35 part-time satellite sites covering all 169 Connecticut towns.
Connecticut WIC is notable for its linguistic diversity: participants have reported speaking at least 40 different languages, with Spanish the most common at approximately 25% of enrolled participants, per the same Johns Hopkins report. Free language assistance is available at all WIC locations upon request, and the WICShopper app is available in multiple languages.
HUSKY and TFA — Connecticut's Program Names
Connecticut uses state-specific names for its public assistance programs. HUSKY is Connecticut's Medicaid program — it comes in several versions:
- HUSKY A — Medicaid for low-income children, pregnant women, parents, and caregivers
- HUSKY C — Medicaid for aged, blind, or disabled individuals
- HUSKY D — Medicaid for low-income adults without dependent children
Enrollment in HUSKY A, C, or D makes your household automatically income-eligible for WIC — these are Connecticut's Medicaid plans, and Medicaid enrollment is a federally recognized pathway to WIC eligibility. HUSKY B (Connecticut's CHIP program for children and pregnant women who do not qualify for HUSKY A) does not qualify for automatic WIC income eligibility — this is a Connecticut-specific rule that catches many families off guard.
TFA (Temporary Family Assistance) is Connecticut's name for TANF cash assistance. TFA enrollment also makes your household automatically income-eligible for WIC.
Flexible Appointment Options
Connecticut WIC offers phone, video conference, online, and in-person appointments — one of the more complete sets of appointment modalities among state WIC programs. All WIC offices are currently open with these flexible options. To find out what is needed for your upcoming appointment, use the WICShopper app's "My Appointment" button or contact your local WIC office.
Electronic Farmers' Market Benefits — Including Eggs
Connecticut WIC's Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) provides eligible participants with benefits to purchase fresh and unprocessed fruits, vegetables, eggs, and cut herbs at authorized farmers' markets and farm stands. Connecticut's inclusion of eggs is distinctive — most state FMNP programs limit benefits to produce only, and Connecticut funds the egg benefit through state dollars rather than federal FMNP funds. The 2025 season runs June 1 through November 30, with $45 in benefits per eligible participant.
Note for 2025: As of July 25, 2025, the Connecticut Department of Agriculture paused issuance of FMNP benefits for newly eligible WIC participants due to reduced federal funding. Participants who had already received FMNP benefits are not affected. Contact your local WIC office for current status before the 2026 season begins.
Updated Food Packages — September 2025
Connecticut WIC rolled out new food packages starting September 15, 2025, implementing the expanded USDA food package rules. Key changes include expanded whole grain options, a permanent increase in the fruit and vegetable benefit, canned fish now available in all food packages for all women and children, fresh herbs purchasable with WIC benefits, and the addition of nut and seed butters. Use the WICShopper app or visit portal.ct.gov/dph/wic/approved-foods for the current list of eligible items.
Tribal Communities in Connecticut
Connecticut has two federally recognized tribes: the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation (headquartered in Ledyard, New London County) and the Mohegan Tribe of Connecticut (headquartered in Uncasville, New London County). Neither tribe appears to operate an independent ITO (Indian Tribal Organization) WIC program. Tribal members residing in Connecticut participate in Connecticut state WIC through the local agency program serving their town. Tribal members enrolled in FDPIR should contact their local WIC office about eligibility.
Contact Information
State WIC toll-free line: 1-800-741-2142. State WIC direct line: (860) 509-8084. Email: ctwic@ct.gov. eWIC card PIN and customer service: 1-855-222-0510. To find your local WIC office, visit portal.ct.gov/dph/wic.
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 — Connecticut WIC
Connecticut 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). | ||
Pregnant Women Count as Two
If you are pregnant, Connecticut WIC counts you as two household members — yourself and the unborn child. If you are expecting multiples, each fetus counts separately. This can shift a smaller household into the next income tier.
Automatic Income Eligibility — Connecticut's Program Names
Connecticut uses state-specific names for its public assistance programs. If your household participates in any of the following, you are automatically income-eligible for WIC:
- SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program / food stamps)
- TFA (Temporary Family Assistance) — Connecticut's name for TANF cash assistance. A family member who is enrolled in TFA makes the entire household automatically WIC-eligible.
- HUSKY A, C, or D — these are Connecticut's Medicaid plans. A household member enrolled in HUSKY A, C, or D qualifies the whole household. Additionally, if a pregnant woman or infant in the family receives HUSKY/Medicaid, all WIC-eligible household members are automatically income-eligible.
Important Connecticut-specific rule: HUSKY B — Connecticut's CHIP program for children and pregnant women who do not qualify for HUSKY A — does not qualify for automatic WIC income eligibility. CHIP is not Medicaid, and the automatic adjunctive pathway applies only to Medicaid (HUSKY A, C, or D), SNAP, and TFA. If the only HUSKY coverage in your household is HUSKY B, you will still need to provide income documentation. Connecticut WIC staff use the DSS Eligibility Verification Response (EVR) portal to confirm which specific HUSKY plan a participant holds.
Income Documentation if Not Auto-Eligible
If your household does not qualify through SNAP, TFA, or qualifying HUSKY coverage, bring documentation of all household income for the prior 30 days — pay stubs, employer letters with gross earnings, Social Security or SSI award letters, unemployment benefit statements, or child support records.
Who Can Apply
Mothers, fathers, grandparents, foster parents, and other legal guardians may apply for WIC benefits on behalf of an eligible infant or child. You do not need to be the birth parent to apply.
Connecticut WIC does not require proof of citizenship or immigration status. Participation in WIC will not affect your immigration or naturalization status.
Tribal Members and FDPIR
Tribal members enrolled in FDPIR (Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations) should contact their local WIC office to ask about eligibility. Connecticut has two federally recognized tribes — the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation and the Mohegan Tribe — and their members may participate in Connecticut state WIC through local agency offices.
Connecticut WIC Approved Foods
Connecticut WIC food benefits are loaded onto an eWIC card and accepted at WIC-authorized grocery stores across the state. Your specific monthly food package depends on your participant category (pregnant, fully breastfeeding, mostly breastfeeding, postpartum, 12–23 months, or 2–4 years) and the nutritional assessment completed at your certification appointment. Connecticut implemented new food packages starting September 15, 2025, with expanded options across multiple categories. For a current, complete list of approved items by brand and size, visit the Connecticut WIC Approved Foods page at portal.ct.gov/dph/wic/approved-foods or use the WICShopper app.
Dairy
Milk, cheese, and yogurt are included in most adult and child food packages. Connecticut WIC generally follows USDA guidelines on fat content by age: whole milk for children 12–23 months, and fat-free or low-fat (1%) milk for women and children 2 and older. Soy-based beverages are available as a milk substitute for eligible participants with documented need. Note: milk quantities were increased starting September 15, 2025, and the updated quantities remain in effect through September 30, 2026.
Eggs
Eggs from domestic hens are approved for most participant categories. Shell eggs in WIC-approved sizes are purchased at authorized stores using the eWIC card.
Tofu
Tofu is available as a protein alternative for eligible participants. Check the Connecticut WIC Approved Foods list for currently approved brands and package sizes.
Whole Grains
The September 2025 food package update significantly expanded Connecticut WIC's whole grain options. Approved whole grains now include:
- Whole wheat bread and whole grain bread
- Whole wheat and corn tortillas
- Brown rice
- Whole wheat pasta
- Iron-fortified hot cereals, including oatmeal and buckwheat
- Iron-fortified cold cereals (a wide range of brands — check the WICShopper app for eligible products)
- Whole wheat bagels (new September 2025)
- Whole wheat English muffins (new September 2025)
- Whole wheat pita (new September 2025)
- Quinoa (new September 2025)
Specific brands and package sizes vary. Use the WICShopper app to scan products before purchase or download the 2025 Food Guide Addendum from the Connecticut WIC participant resources page.
Fresh Herbs
Starting with the September 2025 food package update, Connecticut WIC participants can purchase fresh herbs with their eWIC card at authorized grocery stores. This is a new WIC food benefit available in-store — separate from the Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) herb benefit at farmers' markets. Check the Approved Foods list for currently approved fresh herb varieties and sizes.
Fruits and Vegetables
Connecticut WIC provides a monthly cash value benefit (CVB) for fresh, frozen, and canned fruits and vegetables without added sugars, salt, or fats. This is the one food category in Connecticut WIC that provides a dollar amount rather than specific food quantities. The September 2025 update included a permanent increase in the CVB amount. The exact monthly benefit varies by participant category and is shown on your Family Benefits List.
Legumes
Dried and canned beans and peas are approved for most adult food packages. A wide range of varieties are available — check the Connecticut WIC Approved Foods list for currently approved bean types and can sizes.
Peanut Butter and Nut/Seed Butters
Peanut butter has long been a WIC staple. Starting with the September 2025 update, Connecticut WIC also added nut and seed butters as an approved food — expanding options for participants who prefer or require alternatives to peanut butter. Check the Approved Foods list for currently approved brands, varieties, and jar sizes.
Canned Fish
Starting September 15, 2025, canned fish is included in all food packages for all women and children. This is a change from the previous policy, under which canned fish was limited to breastfeeding women's packages. Check the Connecticut WIC Approved Foods list for approved species, brands, and can sizes.
100% Juice
100% fruit or vegetable juice — unsweetened, with no added sugar — is approved in specific container sizes for most participant categories. Connecticut participants should be aware of the Connecticut Bottle Bill: 64 oz. plastic juice containers are subject to a 10-cent deposit that the WIC program cannot pay. When purchasing 64 oz. plastic juice bottles with your eWIC card, swipe your WIC card first for the food cost, then pay the bottle deposit separately with another form of payment.
Infant Foods
WIC-approved infant foods include iron-fortified infant cereal, jarred baby fruits and vegetables, and WIC-approved infant formula. Infants who are exclusively breastfed also receive jarred baby food meats once they reach 6 months of age. Your WIC nutritionist will review the appropriate foods for your infant's age and developmental stage at each certification visit.
Electronic Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (eFMNP)
Connecticut's electronic Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (eFMNP) allows eligible participants to purchase fresh and unprocessed fruits, vegetables, cut herbs, and eggs at authorized farmers' markets and farm stands. Connecticut's inclusion of eggs in FMNP benefits is distinctive — the egg benefit is funded through Connecticut state funds rather than federal FMNP dollars, which is why CT can offer it while most states cannot.
For the 2025 season:
- Benefit amount: $45 per eligible participant (infants over 6 months, children, prenatal and postpartum/breastfeeding participants with an active account)
- Season: June 1 through November 30, 2025
- Benefits must be used by November 30, 2025 at an authorized CT Grown farmer
- For a list of authorized markets, visit CTGrown.gov/fmnp
2025 funding notice: As of July 25, 2025, the Connecticut Department of Agriculture paused issuance of FMNP benefits for newly eligible WIC participants due to reduced federal funding. Participants who had already received 2025 FMNP benefits are not affected. Contact your local WIC office for current status and for information about the 2026 season.
WICShopper App
Download the free WICShopper app from the App Store or Google Play. The app lets you scan product barcodes to check WIC eligibility in real time, view your current benefit balance, find authorized stores, and use the "My Appointment" button to see what is needed for upcoming appointments. Given that Connecticut implemented new food packages in September 2025, the app is the most reliable tool for confirming current approved brands and package sizes on any shopping trip.
Connecticut WIC Approved Foods Guide
Connecticut publishes a detailed Approved Foods guide at portal.ct.gov/dph/wic/approved-foods listing eligible items by category, including "Do Not Buy" guidance that flags common shopping errors. A 2025 Food Guide Addendum documenting all September 2025 changes is also available on the participant resources page. Download and review it before your first shopping trip or whenever food packages are updated.
