Maine WIC Program

About the Maine WIC Program

Maine WIC is administered by the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) and delivered through local partner agencies covering Maine's counties. The program provides free nutritious foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding and chestfeeding support, and referrals to community services for pregnant women, new parents, infants, and children up to age 5. Maine WIC is open to everyone living in Maine — including migrant workers — and does not ask about immigration or citizenship status. WIC participation is not considered in public charge determinations.

Who Is Eligible

Maine WIC is open to pregnant, lactating, and postpartum individuals; infants; and children up to age 5. Fathers, legal guardians, adoptive parents, and foster parents may apply on behalf of eligible infants and children in their care. Foster children and adopted children are eligible regardless of the foster or adoptive family's income.

Year-Round Farmers' Market Access via the Bnft App

Maine WIC connects participants with local farms. Participants can use their monthly Cash Value Benefit (CVB) for fruits and vegetables at authorized Maine farms, farm stands, and farmers' markets — including year-round access beyond the summer season. Because farmers cannot accept eWIC cards directly, participants generate a unique barcode through the Bnft app (free download) or by printing from mybnft.com to present at the farm. Each summer (typically July through October), participants also receive additional FMNP benefits to spend exclusively with Maine-based farmers.

Local Partner Agencies Statewide

Maine CDC contracts with community-based local agencies to deliver WIC services across the state, ensuring that WIC is accessible in both Maine's urban centers and its most rural communities. Find your nearest WIC clinic at maine.gov/wic.

Inclusive Language and Multilingual Support

Maine WIC uses inclusive, welcoming language throughout its materials, referring to "women and birthing parents," "lactating individuals," and "breastfeeding and chestfeeding" to serve all families. Free language assistance is available at WIC clinics in multiple languages — including Arabic, French, Lingála, Portuguese, Spanish, and Somali — to serve Maine's diverse communities, including refugee and immigrant families. Contact your local WIC agency in advance to confirm languages currently available at your clinic.

Open to Migrant Workers

Maine WIC explicitly welcomes migrant workers living and working in Maine. Seasonal agricultural workers and their families are eligible for WIC services just as any other Maine resident, regardless of how long they have been in the state. Residency is established by showing a Maine address, not by length of residence.

Tribal Communities

Maine has four federally recognized tribes: the Passamaquoddy Tribe (with communities at Indian Township in Princeton and Sipayik/Pleasant Point in Perry), the Penobscot Indian Nation (Indian Island), the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, and the Aroostook Band of Micmacs (Mi'kmaq Nation) in Presque Isle. Tribal members who are Maine residents may participate in Maine's state WIC program at any local agency.

The Passamaquoddy Tribe at Sipayik (Pleasant Point) operates its own Indian Tribal Organization (ITO) WIC program, serving tribal members directly. Tribal members in that area may choose to receive WIC services through the ITO program or through the state program. Contact the Maine state WIC office or your tribal social services department to determine which program is right for your family.

Tribal members enrolled in the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) should contact their local WIC office to ask how FDPIR participation may affect adjunctive eligibility for WIC.

Breastfeeding and Chestfeeding Support

All Maine WIC local agencies provide certified lactation counselors and breastfeeding peer counselors who support participants before and after birth. WIC can provide manual pumps, electric pumps, and in some cases hospital-grade pumps, along with clinical and peer support by phone, text, and in-person appointments. WIC food packages for nursing parents include more variety and higher quantities than non-breastfeeding packages, supporting continued nursing.

Frequently Asked Questions — Maine WIC

Maine WIC Income Limits 2026

Automatic Income Eligibility

Households enrolled in MaineCare (Maine's Medicaid program), SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), or TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) automatically meet WIC income requirements. Bring proof of current enrollment in one of these programs to your appointment — no separate income documentation is required.

Tribal members enrolled in the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) should contact their local WIC office to ask how FDPIR participation may affect adjunctive eligibility for WIC.

Counting Household Size

A pregnant woman counts as two people when calculating household size — herself and her unborn child. Each additional unborn child counts as one more person. A household of two adults expecting one child is counted as three for WIC eligibility purposes.

Foster Children and Adopted Children

Foster children and adopted children are eligible for WIC regardless of the foster or adoptive family's income level. Fathers, legal guardians, adoptive parents, and foster parents may apply on behalf of eligible infants and children in their care.

Residency and Immigration

Maine WIC does not ask about immigration or citizenship status. The program is open to all eligible residents of Maine, including migrant workers, seasonal agricultural workers, and their families, regardless of how long they have lived in the state. Residency is established with any document showing a Maine address — there is no minimum length of residence required. Participation in WIC is not considered in federal public charge determinations.

What Counts as Income

Income includes wages, salary, self-employment income, Social Security benefits, unemployment compensation, child support, and other regular payments, counted before taxes. WIC may average recent pay periods if income varies month to month. Households already enrolled in MaineCare, SNAP, or TANF skip income verification entirely.

Not Sure You Qualify?

Use the federal WIC Eligibility Screening Tool to estimate eligibility before your appointment. Final eligibility is always determined by Maine WIC staff based on current federal guidelines.

Maine WIC Approved Foods

Maine WIC food benefits are loaded monthly onto an eWIC card, redeemable at authorized grocery stores and supermarkets statewide. The WICShopper app lets participants scan product barcodes to confirm approval, view their current benefit balance, report items they believe should be approved, and receive messages from Maine WIC. Only one eWIC card may be used per transaction. Participants are encouraged to purchase the least expensive approved brand where multiple options are available.

Fruits and Vegetables — Cash Value Benefit

All participants receive a monthly Cash Value Benefit (CVB) for fruits and vegetables. The benefit amount is shown on your shopping list or in the WICShopper app. Your CVB can be used year-round at authorized grocery stores and at authorized Maine farms, farm stands, and farmers' markets.

Fresh: Any type or variety, conventional or organic, is allowed — including bagged produce, cut fruit or vegetables (without dip), garlic (not on a string), and fresh herbs cut at the root or with root intact. Not allowed: pickled vegetables or olives, items from the salad bar, party trays or fruit baskets, decorative vegetables and painted pumpkins, potted plants, and dried herbs.

Frozen: Any package size, brand, or mixture — conventional or organic. Not allowed: vegetables with added cheese, sauce, pasta, rice, nuts, breading, or oil; fruits or vegetables with added sugars or flavoring; french fries, tater tots, or twice-baked potatoes; sorbet or fruit bars.

Canned: Any package size, brand, or mixture in pouches, metal cans, or glass or plastic jars — conventional or organic. Fruit must be packed in water or 100% fruit juice, without salt. Vegetables may have salt, sea salt, reduced salt, no salt, or sodium listed. Products may contain dried herbs and spices as long as they are not the primary ingredient. Not allowed: pie filling; items marinated or in cheese sauce; home-canned vegetables; sauces, pasta, spaghetti sauce, or marinara; cream style corn or olives; cranberry sauce, soup, ketchup; fruits or vegetables with added sugars, fats, or oils; fruits in gel, gelatin, or syrup.

Dried: Any type of dried fruits and/or vegetables, without added sugars, fats/oils, or salt. Loose bulk (self-weighed) items are not allowed. Dried fruits and vegetables are not available for infants under age 1 who receive CVB.

Milk

Milk is available in quarts, half gallons, and gallons — including organic. The fat content on your benefit determines which fat tier you may purchase: skim to 1%, 1½% to 2%, or whole. You may mix container sizes to reach your monthly allotment. Not allowed: pints; flavored or raw milk; milk from animals other than cows or goats; milk in glass bottles. Two percent fat milk is only allowed if it is specifically listed on your benefit.

Lactose-free and acidophilus milk are available in quarts, half gallons, and ¾ gallons (acidophilus in half gallons and gallons). Fat content must match your benefit tier. Pints are not allowed.

Whole goat milk — powdered or liquid — may be purchased with a "Whole Milk" benefit.

Shelf-stable (UHT) milk is available in quarts or half gallons with fat content matching your benefit tier. Powdered nonfat dry milk is available in 3.2, 9.6, 12.8, 16, 25.6, 32, and 64 oz containers and can be purchased with a regular "1% or Skim Milk" benefit — it does not need to be separately issued on your benefit.

Plant-Based Beverage

A plant-based beverage is allowed only if it appears on your benefit. It may be flavored or unflavored. Approved brands and sizes:

• Silk Aseptic — shelf stable, quart
• Silk Original — half gallon
• Pacific Ultra — shelf stable, quart
• 8th Continent — half gallon

Some options come in 48 oz containers; choosing that size will result in losing a portion of your milk benefit.

Cheese

Cheese must be in 8, 12, 16, 24, or 32 oz packages. Allowed forms include block, shredded, sliced, sticks, strings, crumbles, balls, or cubes — in regular, reduced-fat, 2%, or fat-free varieties, either regular or organic. Plant-based cheese is also allowed. Approved varieties (single flavor or blended):

• American
• Cheddar
• Colby Jack
• Monterey Jack
• Mozzarella
• Muenster
• Provolone
• Swiss

Not allowed: cheese sliced at the deli counter; dips, whips, spreads, curd cheese, or cheese with seasoning; imported cheese; sliced cheese labeled "cheese product" or "cheese food."

Yogurt

Yogurt must be in 8, 16, 24, or 32 oz containers, or in multipack cups of those same sizes. Fat content is determined by your benefit — whole milk yogurt and low-fat or nonfat yogurt are both available. Greek or regular, organic or conventional, lactose-free, and plant-based yogurts are all allowed.

Not allowed: more than 16 grams of sugar per 8 oz serving; less than 2.67 mcg of Vitamin D per 8 oz serving; drinkable yogurt; yogurt packaged in tubes; yogurts with mix-ins; sizes other than those listed above.

Tofu

Tofu is available in 8 oz or 14 to 16 oz packages, conventional or organic. Allowed forms include cubed, blocks, silken, vacuum packed, or sprouted. Not allowed: flavored or baked tofu.

Eggs

One dozen eggs of any size — brown or white shells, regular or organic, cage-free, and free-range or free-running — are all allowed. Not allowed: sizes other than one dozen; low-cholesterol egg products.

Canned Fish

Allowed species: chunk light tuna, pink salmon, and sardines, in 3.75 to 15 oz containers. Pouches and cans — including multipacks — are both permitted. Fish may be packed in water or oil, may contain vegetable broth, and may include bones or skin. Regular, low sodium, and no salt added are all allowed. Seasoning including lemon or herbs is permitted. Not allowed: albacore, solid white, or yellowfin tuna; smoked fish; kippered fish.

Breakfast Cereal

All cereals must be in containers of 8 oz or larger. Maine WIC approves both whole-grain and non-whole-grain options. Participants are encouraged to buy the least expensive approved brand.

Whole grain cereals — approved brands and varieties:

• Best Yet — Bite Size Frosted Shredded Wheat, Bran Flakes, Bite Size Strawberry Shredded Wheat, Toasted Oats
• Cream of Wheat — Whole Grain Cereal 2½ Minutes and Instant (serve hot)
• Food Club — Bran Flakes, Toasted Oats
• Freedoms Choice — Bran Flakes, Frosted Shredded Wheat, Toasted Oats
• General Mills — Berry Berry Kix, Cheerios (Regular, Oat Crunch Berry, Vanilla Spice), Fiber One Honey Clusters, Honey Kix, Kix, Multigrain Cheerios, Wheat Chex, Wheaties, Whole Grain Total
• Great Value — Bran Flakes, Frosted Shredded Wheat, Frosted Mini Wheats Golden Honey, Toasted O's
• Hannaford — Bite Size Frosted Shredded Wheat, Wheat, Frosted Shredded Wheat, Multigrain Tasteeos Cereal, Tasteeos, Toasted Wheat, Wheat Flakes, Enriched Wheat Bran
• IGA — Bite Size Frosted Shredded Wheat, Toasted Oats
• Kashi — Organic Honey Toasted Hearts and O's, Organic Warm Cinnamon Hearts and O's
• Kelloggs — All Bran Complete Wheat Flakes; Frosted Mini Wheats (Regular, Blueberry, Cinnamon Roll, Little Bites, Pumpkin Spice, Strawberry, Chocolate Little Bites); Special K (Protein, Original, Multigrain, Touch of Cinnamon)
• Kiggins — Frosted Shredded Wheat (Bite Size)
• Malt O Meal — Mini Spooners (Frosted, Strawberry Cream), Original Hot Wheat Cereal (serve hot)
• Market Basket — Bite Size Shredded Wheat (Blueberry, Frosted, Strawberry), Enriched Bran Flakes, Nutty Nuggets, Oat Squares, Tasteeos, Wheat Biscuits
• Post — Grape Nuts (Flakes and Original)
• Quaker — Oatmeal Squares (Brown Sugar, Cinnamon, Honey Nut), Life (Original, Strawberry, Vanilla)
• Signature Select — Bite Size Frosted Shredded Wheat, Bite Size Shredded Wheat, Bran Flakes, Toasted Oats

Non-whole-grain cereals (also allowed, 8 oz minimum):

• Best Yet — Corn Flakes, Crispy Rice, Honey Oats and Flakes
• Cream of Rice — Cereal and Instant Cereal (serve hot)
• Cream of Wheat — Original Cereal (1 Minute, 2½ Minutes, Instant) (serve hot)
• Food Club — Corn Flakes, Crisp Rice, Honey and Oats, Honey Oats with Almonds
• Freedoms Choice — Corn Flakes (Regular and Honey), Crisp Rice, Crispy Honey Oats with Almonds
• General Mills — Chex (Blueberry, Cinnamon, Corn, Rice)
• Great Value — Corn Flakes, Corn Squares, Rice Crisps, Rice Squares
• Hannaford — Corn Flakes, Crispy Hexagons, Crispy Rice, Oats and More with Almonds, Oats and More with Honey, Toasted Corn, Toasted Rice Cereal
• IGA — Corn Flakes, Crispy Rice
• Kelloggs — Corn Flakes (Regular), Crispix, Rice Krispies, Special K Original
• Kiggins — Corn Flakes, Crispy Rice, Rollin Oats Cereal
• Malt O Meal — Crispy Rice
• Market Basket — Corn Biscuits, Corn Flakes, Crispy Hexagons, Crispy Rice, Rice Biscuits
• Post — Great Grains Banana Nut Crunch, Great Grains Crunchy Pecan, Honey Bunches of Oats (Honey Roasted, Maple and Pecans, Vanilla, with Almonds)
• Quaker — Original Instant Grits (serve hot)
• Signature Select — Corn Flakes, Corn Pockets, Crispy Rice, Oats and More Honey, Oats and More with Almonds, Rice Pockets
• That's Smart — Crisp Rice

Bread and Whole Grain Items

Bread must be in 12–32 oz packages — 24 oz for women breastfeeding multiples, 12–16 oz for all other women and children. Allowed: 100% whole wheat breads, buns, or rolls with "whole wheat flour" and/or "bromated whole wheat flour" as the only flour in the ingredients; whole grain breads, buns, or rolls with at least 50% whole grains (remaining grains may be enriched or whole); whole grain pita, English muffins, bagels, and naan. Not allowed: store-made breads; breads with enriched flour as the first ingredient. Because the approved brand list is extensive and updated regularly, use the WICShopper barcode scanner or contact your local WIC agency for the current Approved Product List.

Oats and brown rice: 14–32 oz packages, regular or organic, instant, quick, or regular cooking. Not allowed: added fats, sugars, oils, or sodium; individual or single-serve packages; flavored varieties; white or seasoned rice; frozen, single-serve, or ready-to-serve packets.

Other whole grains: 14–32 oz packages, regular or organic — including quinoa, bulgur, whole-grain barley, millet, triticale, amaranth, cornmeal (including blue), corn masa flour, buckwheat, teff, kamut, sorghum, wheat berries, freekeh, spelt, farro, and other intact whole grains. Not allowed: added fats, sugars, oils, or sodium.

Whole wheat pasta: 12–32 oz packages, 100% whole wheat, any shape, including organic. Not allowed: pasta with flours other than "whole wheat flour" or "whole durum wheat flour"; added fats, sugars, oils, or sodium.

Tortillas: 8–32 oz packages, whole wheat or soft corn, regular or organic. Soft corn tortillas must be made with ground masa flour, whole corn, corn masa, whole ground corn, masa harina, or white corn flour.

100% Juice

Juice must be in 64 oz bottles only. Not allowed: juice drinks with added sugar; juice cocktails. One important note: WIC cannot pay the 5-cent bottle deposit — participants must pay the deposit separately for each bottle of juice. Approved brands:

• Apple And Eve — Apple, Cranberry, Cranberry Apple, Cranberry Grape, Cranberry Pomegranate, Natural Apple, Naturally Cranberry, Pineapple Tangerine
• Best Yet — Apple, Grape, Grapefruit, Pineapple, Tomato, Vegetable, White Grape
• Campbells — Tomato, Low Sodium Tomato
• Food Club — Apple, Grape, Tomato, Vegetable, White Grape
• Freedoms Choice — Apple, Grape
• Great Value — Apple, Cranberry Grape Blend, Cranberry Blend, Cranberry Pomegranate, Grape, Guava, Low Sodium Vegetable, Mango Peach, Not From Concentrate Apple, Orange, Pear, Pineapple, Tomato, Vegetable, White Grape, White Grape Peach
• Hannaford — Apple, Cranberry Grape, Grape, Honeycrisp Style Apple, Low Sodium Vegetable, Pineapple, Vegetable, Ruby Red Grapefruit
• IGA — Apple, Grape, Vegetable, White Grape
• Juicy Juice — 100% Juice All Flavors
• Langers — 100% Juice All Flavors (except some Plus juices that do not add Vitamin C)
• Market Basket — Apple, Cranberry Grape Blend, Cranberry Raspberry Blend, Cranberry Red Delicious Apple Blend, Grape, White Grape, White Grape Peach Blend
• Motts — Apple Cherry, Apple, Apple Mango, Apple White Grape
• Ocean Spray — 100% Juice All Flavors
• Old Orchard — 100% Juice All Flavors
• Sesame Street — Big Bird Apple, Elmos Fruit Punch
• Signature Select — Apple, Apple Cider, Cranberry Grape, Cranberry, Cranberry Raspberry, Grape, Grapefruit, Low Sodium Vegetable, Pineapple, Tomato, Vegetable, White Grape
• That's Smart — Grape
• Tipton Grove — Apple, Cranberry, Grape, Pineapple, White Grape
• V8 — Low Sodium Vegetable, Original Vegetable, Spicy Hot Vegetable
• Welch's — Grape (regular, with Calcium, with Fiber), Red Grape, White Grape, White Grape Peach

Beans, Peas, and Lentils

Dried beans, peas, and lentils: 16 or 32 oz packages; any type of unflavored dried beans, peas, or lentils; regular or organic. Not allowed: added sugars, fats, oils, meats, fruits, or vegetables; soup mixes or dried varieties with flavor packets.

Canned beans: 14 to 16 oz cans only; plain canned beans including fat-free refried beans; regular or organic; low sodium or no salt added. Not allowed: baked beans, pork and beans, or soup mix; beans with added sugars, fats, oils, meats, fruit, or vegetables. Note: green or wax beans and green peas are not covered under the legume benefit — purchase those using your fruit and vegetable CVB instead.

Peanut Butter and Nut/Seed Butters

Containers must be 16 to 18 oz. Smooth, creamy, chunky, or crunchy varieties are allowed; regular or organic. Not allowed: peanut butter with added sweeteners or flavors such as honey, marshmallow, jelly, or chocolate; packets or squeezable containers; peanut butter spreads.

Infant Cereal

Approved brands: Earth's Best Organic and Gerber (Original and Organic varieties). Containers must be 8 oz or 16 oz. Approved grain types: multigrain, oatmeal, rice, and whole wheat. Not allowed: baby cereal with added formula, milk, fruit, or other ingredients.

Infant Fruits and Vegetables

Containers must be 2 oz or 4 oz — single or multipack, or two 2 oz containers equaling 4 oz net weight. Jars and plastic tubs are both allowed; conventional or organic; textures from strained to diced. The package must say "baby," "infant," "stage 1," or "stage 2." Blends of fruits and/or vegetables are allowed. Approved brands:

• Beech-Nut (Classics, Naturals, Organic)
• Earth's Best Organic
• Gerber (Natural, Organic)
• Happy Baby Organic
• Nature's Promise
• O Organics
• Parent's Choice
• Plum Organics
• Tippy Toes (Regular, Organic)

Not allowed: fruits or vegetables mixed with meat, pasta, rice, cereal, yogurt, spices, or seeds; fruits or vegetables with Beta Glucan.

Infant Meats

Approved brands: Beech-Nut and Gerber. Containers must be 2.5 oz, single or multipack. Allowed types: conventional beef, chicken, turkey, and ham. Not allowed: diced meats or meat sticks; baby food combinations or dinners (such as spaghetti and meatballs, or meat and vegetables).

Infant Formula

The brand, type, and size of infant formula are listed on your benefit. Contact your local WIC office to confirm which formula is currently issued to your household. Maine WIC notes that breast milk is complete nutrition for your baby, and all local WIC agencies offer lactation and breastfeeding support.

Finding Approved Foods and Using Benefits at Farms

Use the WICShopper app to scan product barcodes at the store, check your current benefit balance, and view the Maine WIC approved food list. The WICShopper barcode scanner is especially useful for bread and whole grain items, where the approved product list is extensive and updated periodically.

Your monthly fruit and vegetable Cash Value Benefit can be used year-round at authorized Maine farms, farm stands, and farmers' markets, in addition to grocery stores. Ask your WIC office for instructions on how to use your benefits with Maine farmers, as farmers cannot accept the eWIC card directly. Each summer, participants also typically receive additional farmers' market benefits for use exclusively with Maine-based farmers — ask your WIC office for the current season's dates and details.

Final benefit eligibility and food package contents are determined by your Maine WIC office. Approved foods and brands are updated periodically; always verify with the WICShopper app or your local WIC agency before shopping.