Maryland WIC Program

About the Maryland WIC Program

Maryland WIC is administered by the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) through its Public Health and Population Administration, and delivered locally through county and city health departments across all 24 jurisdictions in the state. The program serves pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and children under five — and Maryland has invested in making the experience of enrolling and managing benefits as modern as any WIC program in the country.

The Maryland WIC Client Portal

Maryland has a fully featured WIC client portal at wicclientportal.health.maryland.gov. New applicants can create an account, complete a WIC pre-screening tool to check potential eligibility, and schedule a certification appointment — all before calling a clinic. Current participants use the portal to manage their WIC account, schedule and manage appointments, and access program information. The portal login is shared with the Maryland WIC App.

The Maryland WIC App

Maryland has its own state-branded mobile app — MD WIC — available free on the App Store and Google Play. The app lets participants view upcoming appointments, check their food benefit balances, scan UPC barcodes in the store aisle to verify whether a product is WIC-approved, and find WIC-authorized store locations and clinic offices throughout Maryland. The app uses the same login credentials as the Client Portal.

Virtual Appointments Available

Maryland WIC offers virtual appointments in addition to in-person visits. If an in-person appointment is not possible, contact your local WIC office to request a virtual option. Availability may vary by county and appointment type.

Electronic Farmers' Market Benefits

Maryland WIC participants have access to two separate streams of farmers' market benefits. The eFMNP (Farmers' Market Nutrition Program) provides eligible participants with annual electronic benefits, redeemable at authorized farmers' markets and farm stands across Maryland during the growing season. Maryland issues these benefits electronically, replacing older paper coupon systems.

Maryland WIC participants also receive a monthly Fruit and Vegetable Benefit (FVB) — the amount for your category is shown on your WIC shopping list — which can be redeemed at WIC-authorized grocery stores and at participating farmers' markets. Contact your local WIC office for current eFMNP benefit amounts, redemption dates, and participating market locations.

Auto-Eligibility Programs

If your household participates in SNAP, Medical Assistance/Medicaid, or Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) — Maryland's name for TANF cash assistance — you are automatically income-eligible for WIC and do not need to provide separate income documentation. Bring your current benefit documentation to your appointment.

Contact and General Information

For general WIC information, email mdh.wic@maryland.gov. For breastfeeding support specifically, email mdh.wicbreastfeeding@maryland.gov. To find your local WIC office, use the Client Portal or visit health.maryland.gov/phpa/wic.

Frequently Asked Questions — Maryland WIC

Maryland WIC Income Limits 2026

Pregnant Women Count as Two

If you are pregnant, Maryland WIC counts you as two people when calculating household size — yourself and the unborn child. If you are expecting multiples, count each additional baby separately. This often pushes a household into the next income tier and can make the difference between qualifying or not.

Automatic Income Eligibility

Maryland uses state-specific names for some of its automatic eligibility programs. If your household participates in any of the following, you are automatically income-eligible for WIC and do not need to bring pay stubs or other income proof:

• SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program / food stamps)
• Medical Assistance / Medicaid — Maryland's Medicaid program, also known as HealthChoice for managed care members. Bring your current Medical Assistance card or enrollment documentation.
• Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) — Maryland's name for the federal TANF cash assistance program. Bring your current TCA benefit letter or card.

Income Documentation if Not Auto-Eligible

If your household does not participate in SNAP, Medical Assistance, or TCA, bring proof of income for all household members covering the prior 30 days. Acceptable documents include recent pay stubs or benefit letters (SSI, Social Security, unemployment), W-2 forms or the most recent federal tax return, or employer statements with gross earnings. Maryland WIC staff can advise on alternatives if standard documents are unavailable.

Maryland WIC is not included in the federal public charge rule. Applying for or receiving WIC will not affect immigration status.

Maryland WIC Approved Foods

Maryland WIC food benefits are loaded onto an eWIC card and accepted at authorized grocery stores and pharmacies statewide. Your monthly food package is customized per person based on your participant category — pregnant, breastfeeding, postpartum, infant, or child — and the nutritional assessment completed at your certification appointment. Maryland WIC accommodates food allergies and dietary restrictions, including substitutions discussed with your WIC nutritionist. The Authorized Foods List below reflects the February 2026 edition published by the Maryland Department of Health. For the most current list, visit mdwic.org or use the MD WIC app.

Milk and Dairy Alternatives

Cow's milk must match the fat level and container size shown on your shopping list — buy the least expensive brand available. Whole (Vitamin D), reduced-fat (2%), low-fat (1% or ½%), and fat-free (skim) are all possible depending on your nutrition plan. If issued on your benefits balance, lactose-reduced or lactose-free, dry/powdered, evaporated, and UHT (ultra-high temperature) shelf-stable milk are also approved. Not approved: 100% grass-fed or organic milk; specialty milks with added DHA, A2, ultra-filtered, or protein-fortified; acidophilus, buttermilk, kefir, or other cultured milks; flavored or sweetened milk; raw (unpasteurized) milk; sweetened condensed milk; filled evaporated milk; or milk in glass containers.

Plant-based soy milk is an authorized substitute when issued on your benefits balance. Maryland approves specific brands and sizes only — organic plant-based milks are not approved. Shelf-stable quarts (32-oz): Pacific Foods Ultra Soy Milk Original and Silk Soy Original. Refrigerated half gallons (64-oz): 8th Continent Soymilk Original, Bettergoods Plant-based Soymilk Original, Silk Soy Original, and Silk Soy Vanilla. Maryland also approves Silk Kids Oatmilk Blend Original (59-oz refrigerated) — a soy-oat blend for participants issued that product.

Cheese

Cheese must be domestic cow's milk in an 8-oz or 16-oz prepackaged format. Approved varieties: American (pasteurized processed), Cheddar, Colby, Monterey Jack, Muenster, Mozzarella, Provolone (non-smoked), and Swiss. Blends of approved cheeses — such as Colby-Jack — are eligible. Approved formats include block, sliced, shredded, stick, string, cubed, and cracker-size slices. Low-fat, reduced-fat, and low-sodium versions are permitted. Not approved: organic, imported, deli-counter, goat or sheep milk cheese, individually wrapped slices that are not 100% cheese, processed cheese product or spread, fresh mozzarella, cream cheese, ricotta, cottage cheese, and any cheese with added flavoring, nuts, peppers, dried fruit, or crackers.

Yogurt

Yogurt must be in a 32-oz (907 g) single container — multi-packs are not approved. Fat level (fat-free, low-fat, or whole milk) is set by your nutrition plan. Greek, Icelandic (Skyr), and Swiss-style yogurts are not approved in Maryland WIC. Also not approved: 100% grass-fed or organic yogurt, lactose-free, plant-based, goat or sheep milk; drinkable, pouch, tube, or baby yogurt formats; yogurt with added DHA, artificial sweeteners, or mix-in ingredients such as granola, candy pieces, honey, or nuts. Approved brands and flavors by fat level:

Fat-free and non-fat: Best Yet (Plain), Bowl & Basket (Plain), Essential Everyday (Plain), Food Club (Plain), Food Lion (Plain), Giant (Plain, Vanilla), Great Value (Plain), Lucerne (Plain).

Low-fat: Best Yet (Vanilla), Bowl & Basket (Plain, Vanilla, Strawberry), Dannon (Plain), Essential Everyday (Blended Vanilla, Blended Strawberry, Blended Blueberry), Food Club (Blended Vanilla, Blended Strawberry), Food Lion (Vanilla), Giant (Plain), LALA (Plain), Lucerne (Plain, Strawberry), Wegmans (Plain), Weis (Plain).

Whole milk: Bowl & Basket (Plain), Brown Cow (Plain, Vanilla, Maple), Lucerne (Plain), Weis (Plain).

The MD WIC app scanner can confirm additional unlisted brands that may be approved at your store.

Eggs

One dozen per benefit period, medium or large carton. White and brown shells are both approved. Cage-free eggs are permitted in Maryland — buy the least expensive qualifying brand. Not approved: organic, free-range, pasture-raised, and specialty eggs including low-fat, cholesterol-free, Omega-3-enriched, pasteurized, or fertile varieties. Small, extra-large, and jumbo sizes are not approved.

Peanut Butter and Sunflower Seed Butter

Maryland WIC includes sunflower seed butter alongside peanut butter — participants issued this benefit may purchase either depending on their benefits balance. Both must be in a 16-oz to 18-oz container, type issued only. Approved styles: plain, smooth, crunchy, extra crunchy, creamy, natural, or fresh ground. Low-sodium and low-sugar versions are permitted. Not approved: organic; nut butters other than peanut; seed butters other than sunflower seed; products with non-hydrogenated oil or palm oil; reduced-fat; honey-roasted; or peanut butter blended with marshmallow, jelly, jam, honey, or chocolate. Powdered or dry peanut butter is not approved.

Whole Grains

Maryland WIC covers a broader set of grain types than most state programs — all items must be dry and plain, and organic is not approved in any whole grain category.

• Brown rice, white quinoa, bulgur, buckwheat, and cornmeal: 12-oz to 32-oz packages, any brand. Not approved: organic; ready-to-serve, precooked, or boil-in-bag; degerminated or degermed cornmeal; whole grain flours; products with added flavors, sauce, spice packets, vegetables, sugars, fats, oils, or salt.
• Soft corn and whole wheat tortillas: 16-oz packages, specific brands only. Not approved: organic, hard shell, enriched wheat, white flour, or flavored varieties. Approved brands: Bowl & Basket (Whole Wheat), Celia's (White Corn, Yellow Corn, Whole Wheat), Essential Everyday (Corn Soft Taco, Whole Wheat Soft Taco), Food Club (White Corn Fajita Style, Whole Wheat Wrap Style), Giant (Yellow Corn Small Fajita, White Corn Small Fajita, Whole Wheat Medium Soft Shell Taco), Great Value (Whole Wheat), La Banderita (White Corn, Yellow Corn, 100% Whole Wheat Soft Taco, 100% Whole Wheat Fajita), Signature Select (Whole Wheat Soft Taco), and Weis (Whole Wheat).
• 100% Whole Wheat bread and rolls: 12-oz to 24-oz loaf; 12-oz to 16-oz bun or roll package. The front label must read "100% Whole Wheat" and whole wheat flour must be the first ingredient. Not approved: organic, bagels, English muffins, Naan bread, enriched or white bread.
• Whole wheat pita: 12-oz to 18-oz packages. Approved brands: Mission (Whole Wheat Pita) and Sam's Choice (Whole Wheat Greek Style Pita).
• Oats: 16-oz to 32-oz packages, specific brands only — old fashioned or quick oats. Not approved: organic, steel-cut oats, oats with added flavors, sugar, fats, fruit, or nuts. Approved brands include Best Yet, Food Club, Food Lion, Full Circle Market (Gluten Free), Giant, Giant Eagle, Good & Gather, Harris Teeter, Mom's Best, Quaker (including Gluten Free), and Signature Select.
• Whole wheat pasta: 16-oz packages, any shape. Whole wheat flour or whole durum wheat flour must be the only flour ingredient listed. Not approved: organic, refrigerated or frozen pasta/meals, pasta with added flavors, seasonings, vegetables, sugars, fats, oils, salt, protein, or fiber. Approved brands include Bowl & Basket, Essential Everyday, Food Lion, Giant, Great Value, Harris Teeter, Ronzoni Healthy Harvest, Signature Select, and Weis.

Whole grains may be mixed and matched across categories up to the total ounces shown on your shopping list. For example, 24 oz. could be one 24-oz. bread loaf, or two items from the 12-oz. grain/pita/roll/pasta categories.

Breakfast Cereals

Cold cereal must be 12-oz or larger; hot cereal must be 9.5-oz or larger. You can mix hot and cold cereals up to your monthly total (up to 36 oz.). Individual single-serving packages and multi-packs of individual serving sizes are not approved for cold cereal; multi-packs of individual serving sizes are acceptable for hot cereal. Organic cereal and cereals with artificial sweeteners are not approved in either category.

Cold cereal — approved national brands include General Mills (Cheerios and flavored Cheerios varieties, Blueberry/Cinnamon/Corn/Rice/Strawberry Vanilla/Wheat Chex, Kix, Multi Grain Cheerios, Total Whole Grain, Wheaties), Grain Berry (Apple Cinnamon Toasted Oats, Cinnamon Frosted Shredded Wheat, Multi-Bran Flakes, Original Toasted Oats), Kellogg's (Corn Flakes, Frosted Mini-Wheats varieties, Rice Krispies, Raisin Bran, Special K Original, Special K Original Multi-Grain Touch of Cinnamon), Malt-O-Meal (Frosted Mini Spooners, Raisin Bran), Post (Bran Flakes, Grape Nuts, Grape Nuts Flakes, Great Grains varieties, Honey Bunches of Oats Honey Roasted/Vanilla/Almonds, Raisin Bran), and Quaker (Life Multigrain Original, Mighty Life Strawberry Blueberry Bliss, Mighty Life Very Vanilla, Oatmeal Squares Brown Sugar, Oatmeal Squares Honey Nut).

Cold cereal — approved store brands include Best Yet, Bowl & Basket, Essential Everyday, Food Club, Food Lion, Freedom's Choice, Giant, Giant Eagle, Great Value, Harris Teeter, IGA, Red & White, Signature Select, That's Smart, and Weis — in varieties such as Bran Flakes, Corn Flakes, Crispy Rice, Frosted Shredded Wheat Bite Size, Toasted Oats, Corn Squares, and Rice Squares.

Hot cereal — approved brands include Best Yet, Bowl & Basket, Cream of Rice (Original and Instant), Cream of Wheat (2½-minute, Instant, and Whole Grain 2½-minute), Essential Everyday, Food Club, Food Lion, Giant, Giant Eagle, Good & Gather, Great Value (Instant Grits Original and Instant Oatmeal Original), Harris Teeter, Malt-O-Meal (Farina), Quaker (Instant Grits Original and Instant Oatmeal Original), Signature Select, and Wegmans — all Original flavor only for oatmeal and grits.

Juice

All juice must be in 64-oz (1.89 L) containers, 100% juice, unsweetened. Not approved: organic, fresh-squeezed, or products labeled cocktail, punch, drink, or light. Maryland WIC notes that juice intake should be limited to 4 ounces per day.

100% orange juice and 100% grapefruit juice may be any brand including store brands. Added calcium, vitamins, and fiber are permitted.

Other 100% juice flavors are restricted to specific approved brands and flavors: Apple & Eve, Best Yet, Bowl & Basket, Campbell's (Tomato, Tomato Low Sodium), Essential Everyday, Food Club, Food Lion, Freedom's Choice, Giant, Giant Eagle, Great Value, Harris Teeter, Juicy Juice, Langers, Libby's (Pineapple), Market Pantry, Mott's, Nature's Nectar, Northland (cranberry varieties), Ocean Spray (cranberry varieties), Old Orchard, Ruby Kist, Signature Select, Smart Way, That's Smart, Tipton Grove, V8 (Vegetable, Vegetable Low Sodium, Vegetable Spicy Hot), Wegmans, Weis, and Welch's. Approved flavors across brands include apple, grape, pineapple, tomato, vegetable, white grape, cranberry blends, and many fruit combinations. The MD WIC app lists the full set of approved flavors per brand.

Beans, Peas, and Lentils

Dried: 16-oz or 32-oz bags — Maryland approves the larger 32-oz bag size, which is not available in all states. Any dry bean, split pea, or lentil variety. Not approved: organic, seasoning packet varieties, boxed, or soup mixes.

Canned: 15-oz to 16-oz cans packed in water. Approved varieties include kidney, pinto (any color), black, red, navy, garbanzo (chickpeas), lima, butter, great northern, cannellini, mung, and fava beans; split peas; black-eyed peas; lentils; and fat-free refried beans. Not approved: organic, water as the first ingredient, pork and beans, baked beans, chili beans, soups or soup mixes, and beans with sauce, vegetables, meat, sugar, fat, or oil.

Tofu

Tofu must be block format in a 10-oz or larger container. Organic tofu is approved in Maryland. Not approved: cubed or any non-block presentation, tofu with added fats, sugar, oil, salt, flavorings, sauces, or seasonings. Approved brands and textures:

• Franklin Farms: Firm, Medium Firm, Extra Firm, Soft; Organic: Firm, Pressed Firm, Medium Firm, Extra Firm
• House Foods: Premium Firm, Medium Firm, Extra Firm; Organic: Firm, Medium Firm, Extra Firm
• Nature's Promise: Organic Firm, Organic Extra Firm
• Nature's Soy: Firm, Extra Firm, Soft
• O Organics: Organic Firm, Organic Sprouted Super Firm Vac Pack, Organic Extra Firm
• Simple Truth Organic: Organic Firm, Organic Extra Firm
• SoyBoy: Organic Firm
• Wegmans: Organic Firm
• Woodstock: Organic Firm, Organic Extra Firm

Canned Fish

Maryland WIC approves three species of canned fish. All must be packed in water or oil; regular or lower-sodium products are both eligible. Organic, gourmet, pouch, bowl, and kit formats are not approved for any species.

• Chunk light tuna: 5-oz to 6-oz cans, 4-packs of 5-oz (567 g) cans, or 12-oz (340 g) cans. Added spices and sauces such as tomato, mustard, herb, or lemon are permitted. Not approved: albacore or white tuna.
• Pink salmon: 5-oz to 7.5-oz cans, 4-packs of 5-oz (567 g) cans, or 14.75-oz (418 g) cans. Not approved: pink salmon with added spices or flavorings; red salmon.
• Sardines: 3.75-oz to 5.5-oz cans or 15-oz (425 g) cans. Added spices and sauces such as tomato, mustard, herb, or lemon are permitted.

Fruits and Vegetables

Maryland WIC loads a monthly Fruit and Vegetable Benefit (FVB) onto your eWIC card. The amount for your category is shown on your WIC shopping list. Fresh, frozen, canned, and dried produce are all eligible. Organic produce is approved in all forms under the FVB. The FVB can also be used directly at participating farmers' markets.

Fresh produce: Any brand, loose or pre-packaged, whole or cut. Vegetables or fruit packaged with fresh herbs are eligible. Not approved: items with dips, sauces, dressings, cheese, nuts, or croutons; salad bar items, fruit baskets, and decorative items.

Fresh herbs are included under the FVB. Approved herbs: Basil, Bay Leaf, Chives, Cilantro, Dill, Fennel, Garlic, Ginger Root, Lemon Grass, Marjoram, Mint, Oregano, Parsley, Rosemary, Sage, Tarragon, Thyme, and Turmeric Root. Blends of approved herbs are eligible. Not approved: dried herbs or spices, potted herbs, seeds, or herbs with added fats, oils, or sugars.

Frozen produce: Plain vegetables and fruits; low-sodium options and herbs and spices as added ingredients are OK. Not approved: items with sugar or syrup, artificial sweeteners, rice/pasta/breading/grains, sauces, cheese, milk, butter, fat, oil, or meat. Frozen soups are not approved.

Dried produce: Plain dried fruits or vegetables only. Not approved: items with added fats, oils, sugars, nuts, or artificial sweeteners; fruit leathers and roll-ups.

Canned produce: Water or juice packed; low-sodium options permitted. Not approved: products where water or juice is the first ingredient; items with sugar or syrup, artificial sweeteners, butter, fat, oil, meat, rice, pasta, grains, or vinegar; pickled vegetables, relishes, olives, catsup or ketchup; soups; pouches.

Infant Formula and Baby Foods

Infant formula: Brand, type, and container size are specified on your benefits balance — no substitutions are permitted for the contract formula. If your infant requires a different formula due to a medical condition or documented adverse reaction, contact your local WIC office for the Medical Documentation Form and current options. The Maryland WIC AFL does not publish specific formula brand names — contact your local WIC office for the current contract formula list.

Infant cereal: 8-oz or 16-oz dry containers. Organic is approved. Any grain or multigrain variety. Not approved: with added DHA, added fruit, or formula.

Baby food fruits and vegetables: 4-oz containers; 2-packs of 2-oz containers (counts as one container); 2-packs of 4-oz containers (counts as two containers). Plain or mixed vegetables, plain or mixed fruits, and mixed fruit and vegetables are all eligible. Organic is approved. Not approved: with DHA, with added meat, yogurt, cereal, pasta, or rice; dinners, desserts, soups, or stews; pouches or smoothies; refrigerated baby foods; multi-packs larger than 2-packs of 4-oz containers.

Baby food meats: 2.5-oz single containers. Approved meats: chicken, turkey, beef, lamb, veal, and ham — plain, with gravy or broth acceptable. Organic is approved. Not approved: with added DHA, with added vegetables, fruit, rice, cereal, or pasta; dinners, meat sticks, soups, or stews; pouches. Maryland's inclusion of lamb and veal is broader than many state baby food meat lists.

Finding Authorized Stores and Managing Your eWIC Card

Use the MD WIC app to find authorized store locations near you and to scan product barcodes in the aisle to verify whether a specific item is covered. The app reflects the current Authorized Foods List and is updated when the list changes. If your eWIC card is lost, stolen, or damaged, call eWIC Customer Service at 1-844-309-6097. Replacement cards are mailed and typically arrive within five to seven business days. For general program questions, call the Maryland WIC office at 1-800-242-4942 or visit mdwic.org.