Massachusetts WIC Program

About the Massachusetts WIC Program

Massachusetts WIC is administered by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) — Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program, headquartered at 250 Washington Street in Boston. The program serves families across Massachusetts and consistently reaches a high share of those who qualify — making it one of the stronger-performing state WIC programs in the country for enrollment.

What makes that access possible is how Massachusetts has invested in making WIC easy to find, easy to start, and genuinely useful once you're enrolled. The program isn't buried in paperwork — you can start your pre-application online at mass.gov in a few minutes, and a staff member will follow up by phone or email to complete the process.

More Than Just Food Benefits

Massachusetts adds several perks that go well beyond the standard WIC food package. Some of them are genuinely unusual:

• WIC Card to Culture: Your Massachusetts WIC card gets you free or discounted admission to over 200 museums and cultural organizations across the state, through a partnership with the Mass Cultural Council. That includes science museums, children's museums, historic sites, and arts institutions.
• Heating and internet discounts: WIC participants in Massachusetts can qualify for reduced rates on home heating bills and internet service — year-round savings that have nothing to do with food.
• WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program: Every summer, eligible WIC participants receive separate coupons to spend on fresh fruits and vegetables at approved farmers' markets and farmstands statewide. These are entirely separate from your regular monthly benefits and can only be used at the market, not at grocery stores. Contact your local WIC office for current benefit amounts and distribution dates for your area.
• WIC online grocery ordering: Massachusetts WIC participants can shop for WIC-approved foods through Walmart's app or website (Walmart.com/wic) for pickup or delivery at participating Walmart Supercenter locations across the state.

The WICShopper App

Massachusetts WIC participants can download the free WICShopper app to scan product barcodes in the store aisle and instantly see whether an item is covered by your benefits. The app also shows your current benefit balance, lists nearby WIC-authorized stores, and lets you register your WIC card so future benefits load automatically. It takes the guesswork out of shopping — especially useful if you're navigating a large store or trying a new brand.

Hundreds of Authorized Stores

Massachusetts WIC benefits are accepted at hundreds of authorized grocery stores and pharmacies statewide. Most major chains participate, and the WICShopper app's store locator will show you the closest options. WIC can also be used at self-checkout lanes at participating retailers.

Who Administers the Program

The Massachusetts WIC program is run through the DPH Nutrition Division and delivered locally through a network of WIC clinics operated by community health centers, hospitals, and nonprofit agencies. Many locations offer evening and Saturday appointments to accommodate working families. Walk-in hours are available at some offices — call ahead or check with your local clinic. The statewide information line is (800) 942-1007, available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Frequently Asked Questions — Massachusetts WIC

Massachusetts WIC Income Limits 2026

When counting household size for WIC purposes, a pregnant woman counts as two people — herself and the unborn child. That can make a meaningful difference in which income tier applies to your family.

Automatic Income Eligibility

If your household already participates in certain state programs, you skip the income calculation entirely — you're automatically income-eligible for WIC. Those programs are:

• SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program / food stamps)
• TAFDC (Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children — Massachusetts' cash assistance program)
• MassHealth (Massachusetts Medicaid) — bring your current card or enrollment documentation to your appointment

What Income Documentation to Bring

If you are not automatically eligible through one of the programs above, bring proof of income for everyone in your household. Acceptable documents include recent pay stubs (within the last 30 days), a letter from an employer, unemployment benefit documentation, or tax returns. WIC staff will use your gross income — before taxes — to calculate eligibility.

If you receive SNAP or TAFDC, bring your enrollment benefits letter, a SNAP printout, or access the DTA Connect app on your phone — that's sufficient documentation for automatic eligibility. For MassHealth, bring your current card or enrollment documentation.

Massachusetts WIC is not included in the federal public charge rule. Applying for or receiving WIC will not affect immigration status — and WIC staff are not required to report immigration information to any federal agency.

Massachusetts WIC Approved Foods

Massachusetts WIC benefits are loaded monthly onto an EBT-style WIC card, accepted at hundreds of authorized grocery stores and pharmacies across the state. The specific foods and quantities you receive depend on your participant category — pregnant, breastfeeding, postpartum, infant, or child — and are set at your certification appointment with a WIC nutritionist. The food categories and approved brands below are drawn from the Massachusetts WIC Approved Food Guide (Form #183) published by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. For the most current version, visit mass.gov/wic or use the WICShopper app.

Milk

Fluid milk must be the least expensive brand available in the store, in the fat level shown on your WIC Shopping List: fat-free, 1% lowfat, 2% reduced-fat, or whole milk. Flavored milk and buttermilk are not approved. Organic milk is not approved.

If issued on your benefits balance, the following specialty milks are also eligible — any brand in each case:

• Evaporated or dry milk: whole, lowfat, or fat-free
• Long-Life (UHT shelf-stable) milk: whole, lowfat, or fat-free
• Lactose-free milk (Lactaid is a common example)

Soy Beverage

Soy beverage is available as a milk substitute. Two package types are approved, in plain and vanilla flavors only:

• Quart, shelf-stable: Pacific Natural Foods Ultra Soy
• Half-gallon, refrigerated: 8th Continent Soymilk (original plain and vanilla only); Silk Soymilk (original — red carton only)

Almond, oat, coconut, and other non-soy plant beverages are not on the Massachusetts approved list.

Cheese

Cheese must be in a 16 oz. package only — any brand. Approved varieties: American (pasteurized processed), Colby, Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Mozzarella, and Muenster. String cheese is allowed. Shredded cheese is allowed. Not approved: deli-counter cheese, sliced cheese (American slices excepted), imported cheese, cheese food or product or spread, individually wrapped slices, snack packs, or flavored cheese. Organic cheese is not approved.

Yogurt

Yogurt must be in a 32 oz. container only. Greek yogurt is not approved. Light yogurt and products with artificial sweeteners are not approved.

Approved brands by fat level:

• Whole Milk Yogurt (any flavor): 365 Organic, Brown Cow, Dannon, Market Basket, Nature's Promise, Stonyfield Farms
• Lowfat/Nonfat Yogurt (any flavor): 365 Organic, Best Yet, Big Y, Brown Cow, Coburn Farms, Dannon, Food Club, Great Value, Hannaford (no strawberry flavor), Lucerne Dairy, Market Basket, Market Pantry, Nature's Promise, Price Chopper, Price Rite, Stonyfield Farms, Stop & Shop (no strawberry flavor), Yoplait

Eggs

Purchase the least expensive brand available. Grade A Large only — white or brown shell are both allowed. Organic, cage-free, Omega-3-enriched, and other premium egg varieties are not approved.

Whole Grains

When your Shopping List shows "16 oz. Bread/Whole Grains," any of the following items may be purchased in that category.

Bread — 16 oz. loaf only

National brands: Arnold (Stone Ground 100% Whole Wheat, Select Wheat Sandwich Rolls), Bimbo (100% Whole Wheat), Central Market Classics (100% Whole Wheat), Country Kitchen (100% Whole Wheat, Wheat Italian), Gold Medal (100% Whole Wheat, Wheat with Flax), Grissom's Mill (100% Whole Wheat), Holsum (100% Whole Wheat), Ideal (100% Whole Wheat), Penn Street (100% Whole Wheat), Sara Lee (100% Whole Wheat), Sunbeam (100% Whole Wheat), Wonder (100% Whole Wheat).

Store brands: Best Yet, Big Y, Geissler's, Gourmet Great Value, Hannaford, Market Basket, Nature's Promise, Price Chopper, Roche Bros, Signature Kitchens, Star Market, Stop & Shop, Shaws, Trucchi's.

Tortillas — 16 oz. package

Both soft corn tortillas and whole wheat tortillas are approved. Wraps are not approved. National brands: Chi-Chi's, Don Pancho, La Banderita, Mayan Farms, Mission, Ortega, Tio Santi. Store brands: Big Y, Market Basket, Hannaford's, Nature's Promise, Stop & Shop.

Brown Rice — 14–16 oz. package

Any brand. Regular, quick, or instant rice is allowed.

Oatmeal — 16 oz. package

McCann's Irish Oatmeal and Silver Palate Thick and Rough Oatmeal. This is a short, brand-specific list — other oatmeal brands are not on the Massachusetts approved list.

Whole Grain Pasta — 16 oz. package

Barilla, Delallo, Essential Everyday, Full Circle, Gia Russa, Hodgson Mill, Luigi Vitelli, Nature's Promise, Racconto, Ronzoni Healthy Harvest. Any pasta shape is allowed.

Cereals

Packages must be 12 oz. or larger. Both cold and hot cereals are covered.

Cold cereals — national brands:

• General Mills: Cheerios (plain, Multi Grain), Chex (Corn, Rice, Wheat), Dora the Explorer, Fiber One Honey Clusters, Kix (Original, Berry Berry, Honey), Total, Wheaties (plain only)
• Kellogg's: Complete All-Bran Wheat Flakes, Corn Flakes (plain only), Crispix, Frosted Mini Wheats (original, big and little bites, Touch of Fruit in the Middle — Raisin and Raspberry), Mini Wheats (bite size), Rice Krispies, Special K (original)
• Post: Alpha Bits, Banana Nut Crunch, Bran Flakes, Grape Nuts, Grape Nut Flakes, Honey Bunches of Oats (Almond, Almond Crunch, Cinnamon Bunches, Honey Crunch, Honey Roasted, Vanilla Bunches), Honey Nut Shredded Wheat, Lightly Frosted Shredded Wheat
• Quaker: Life (plain), Oatmeal Squares (Hint of Brown Sugar, Hint of Cinnamon)
• Mom Brands: Frosted Mini Spooners, Strawberry Cream Mini Spooners
• Sunbelt Bakery: Simple Granola

Hot cereals — national brands:

• Nabisco: Cream of Rice; Cream of Wheat (1-minute, 2½-minute, 10-minute); Cream of Wheat Whole Grain (2½-minute)
• Farina Mills: Farina
• Maypo: Maple, Instant, Vermont Style
• Quaker: Instant Grits (original flavor only)

Approved store brand cereals come from 365, Best Yet, Big Y, Clear Value, Food Club, Great Value, Hannaford, Kiggins, Market Basket, Price Chopper, Signature Kitchens, Stop & Shop, Valutime, and White Rose — though only specific named varieties within each brand are on the approved list. Use the WICShopper app to confirm a specific store-brand variety before you buy.

Juice

100% fruit juice only; no added sugar. Two formats are approved.

Bottled — 64 oz. plastic bottles: Juicy Juice (any flavor); Langers (apple, apple berry cherry, apple cranberry, apple grape, apple kiwi strawberry, apple orange pineapple, cranberry varieties, grapefruit ruby red, orange, pineapple, tomato, white grape, and other flavors). Store brands from Best Yet, Big Y, Food Club, Great Value, Hannaford, Market Basket, Price Chopper, Price Rite, Stop & Shop, and others — approved flavors must state "100% juice" and "120% Vitamin C" on the label.

Frozen concentrate — 11.5 or 12 oz. cans:

• Apple: Best Yet, Clear Value, Flavorite, Food Club, Great Value, Hannaford, Market Basket, Seneca (red cans, Granny Smith, Country Style), Signature Kitchens, Stop & Shop, Tipton Grove, Value Time
• Grapefruit: any brand
• Grape: Best Yet, Food Club, Great Value, Hannaford, Seneca, Stop & Shop, Welch's (yellow pull-strip can)
• Mixed blend: Dole 100% Juice — Pineapple Orange Banana, Pineapple Orange Strawberry, Orange Peach Mango, Orange Strawberry Banana
• Orange: any brand
• Pineapple: Dole, Market Basket, Stop & Shop
• Pineapple/Orange: any brand
• White Grape / White Grape Blends: Welch's (yellow pull-strip can)

Legumes and Peanut Butter

Dried beans/peas: 1 lb. bag, any brand or type.

Canned beans: 15.5 or 16 oz. cans. Approved brands: Goya or store brand only. Plain, mature beans, peas, or lentils are approved. Not approved: green beans, wax beans, green peas, or green pigeon peas — only mature dried-type legumes qualify. Organic beans are not approved.

Peanut butter: 16–18 oz. jars, any brand, creamy or chunky. Not approved: flavored peanut butter, reduced-fat varieties, peanut butter spreads, Omega-3-enriched products, or organic peanut butter.

Tofu

14–16 oz. package. Tofu may be issued as part of a food package for participants who don't consume meat or dairy. Approved brands and textures:

• Azumaya: Extra Firm, Firm, Silken
• Nasoya: Cubed Super Firm Tofu, Firm Tofu, Lite Firm Tofu, Lite Silken Tofu, Soft Tofu — organic Nasoya tofu is permitted
• Nature's Promise: Firm, Extra Firm
• House Foods: Premium Extra Firm, Firm, Medium Firm
• Soy Boy: Firm

Canned Fish — Breastfeeding Women Only

Canned fish is available in the food package for fully breastfeeding women only. Three species are approved:

• Tuna: 5 oz. can, any brand, chunk light packed in water only
• Pink Salmon: 5 oz. can, any brand, packed in water or oil; skin and bones are allowed
• Sardines: 3.75 oz. can, any brand, packed in water or oil; skin and bones are allowed; flavorings are allowed

Fruits and Vegetables

Fresh produce: Any variety of fresh vegetables or fruits — whole, cut, bagged salad mixtures, or bagged vegetables. Fresh white potatoes are approved. Not approved: salad bar items, party trays, fruit baskets, dried fruit, decorative vegetables or fruits, painted pumpkins, nuts (including peanuts), fruit/nut mixtures, herbs, spices, salad dressing, or croutons.

Frozen vegetables: Any brand and size. Any plain vegetable or plain vegetable mixture, with or without salt — but mixtures containing white potatoes are not approved. Beans of any kind are allowed. Not approved: frozen white potatoes in any form (french fries, hash browns, tater tots, shaped potato products); vegetables with sauces (cheese sauce, teriyaki, butter, seasoning, breading); vegetables mixed with pasta, rice, or other ingredients; added fat, oil, or sugar.

Frozen fruits: Any brand. Plain fruit or plain fruit mixtures with no added sugar. Not approved: fruits with added sugar, artificial sweeteners, or non-fruit ingredients.

Canned vegetables: Any brand and size. Plain vegetables or plain vegetable mixtures without white potatoes; regular or low-sodium. Not approved: canned white potatoes, pickled vegetables (including sauerkraut), creamed vegetables (including creamed corn), sauced vegetables, baked beans, pork and beans, canned dried beans or peas (those go in the legumes benefit), soups, ketchup, relishes, olives, or vegetables with added sugar, fats, or oils.

The white potato rule in brief: only fresh white potatoes are permitted. Canned and frozen white potatoes in any form are not approved.

Infant Formula, Cereal, and Baby Food

Infant formula: The approved type and container size are printed on your WIC Shopping List at certification. Massachusetts participates in the federal infant formula rebate contract program; the contract brand name is listed on the shopping list your WIC clinic issues.

Infant cereal: 8 oz. boxes, Beech-Nut brand only. Approved varieties: Multigrain, Oatmeal, and Rice — plain, without added fruit or formula.

Infant food — fruits and vegetables: 4 oz. jars only, Beech-Nut Classics Stage 2 only. Approved: fruits, vegetables, and fruit-vegetable combinations. Not approved: the Beech-Nut "Natural" line in 4 oz. jars; any mixture with cereal, desserts, dinners, meat and vegetables, rice, pasta, yogurt, or noodles; meat sticks; organic; added sugar, starch, salt, DHA, or ARA.

Infant food — meats: Beech-Nut Stage 1, 2.5 oz. jars only. Three varieties approved: Beef & Beef Broth, Chicken & Chicken Broth, Turkey & Turkey Broth.

Using the WICShopper App to Shop

The free WICShopper app is listed in the Massachusetts Approved Food Guide as a shopping tool for participants. Use it to scan a product barcode in the store aisle to immediately check whether the item is WIC-eligible, view your current benefit balance by food category, locate nearby WIC-authorized stores, and access WIC recipes. The app is available on iOS and Android.

Online Ordering at Walmart

Massachusetts WIC participants can use their WIC card to order WIC-approved groceries online through the Walmart app or at Walmart.com/wic for in-store pickup or home delivery at participating Walmart Supercenter locations across the state.

Farmers' Market Coupons

Each summer, Massachusetts WIC participants receive WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) coupons — entirely separate from your monthly EBT benefits. These can only be spent on fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables at approved farmers' markets and farmstands; they cannot be used at grocery stores. Contact your local WIC office for current benefit amounts and distribution dates in your area.