Michigan WIC Program

About the Michigan WIC Program

Michigan WIC is administered by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) through local health departments and WIC agencies serving all 83 Michigan counties. The program serves pregnant women, breastfeeding and chestfeeding individuals, postpartum individuals, infants, and children under age five. Michigan has made meaningful investments in modernizing WIC access: the state offers an online application portal through MI Bridges, has expanded telehealth appointment options, and in 2024 rebranded its farmers market program — formerly known as Project FRESH — as the WIC Produce Connection, loading benefits directly onto WIC EBT cards.

Who Qualifies for WIC in Michigan

Michigan WIC is open to pregnant women, breastfeeding or chestfeeding individuals up to one year postpartum, postpartum individuals up to six months after delivery, infants, and children under age five. Parents, guardians, and foster parents can apply on behalf of eligible children.

If your household receives Medicaid, Food Assistance Program (FAP/SNAP), or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), you automatically meet WIC's income requirement. Bring your current enrollment documentation to your appointment. Michigan explicitly notes that families who do not qualify for these programs may still qualify for WIC because WIC's income limit is higher than SNAP's — so it's worth applying even if you were denied other benefits.

For households not on those programs, the standard threshold is 185% of the federal poverty level based on gross household income. Each expected infant counts as one additional person in the family size for income calculation purposes.

Michigan has 12 federally recognized tribes. Tribal members participating in the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) should contact their local WIC office about adjunctive eligibility options.

What Michigan WIC Provides

Benefits are loaded onto a Michigan WIC EBT card redeemable at authorized retail grocery stores and pharmacies statewide. Michigan's food packages include milk, cheese, yogurt, eggs, whole grains, 100% juice, beans, peanut butter, tofu, canned fish, infant formula, and baby food.

Michigan WIC also participates in the WIC Produce Connection (formerly Project FRESH), which provides benefits for locally grown Michigan fruits and vegetables from authorized growers, farmers markets, and roadside stands. As of 2024, these benefits are loaded directly onto participants' WIC EBT cards rather than issued as paper coupons. The program is seasonal — visit michigan.gov/mdhhs for current benefit period dates and the authorized grower list.

Breastfeeding support is available through WIC peer counselors and International Board-Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) in many local agencies. Michigan WIC offers telehealth video appointment options — useful for participants in rural Upper Peninsula and northern Michigan counties where clinic access can be limited.

How to Apply for WIC in Michigan

Michigan has an online WIC application through MI Bridges. You can find a WIC clinic near you at michigan.gov/mdhhs, or call 2-1-1 to be connected to WIC services in your area. Michigan State University Extension also supports Michigan WIC by offering nutrition education programs to families with infants and young children.

Recertification in Michigan

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. To obtain a Verification of Certification (VOC) if you're moving out of Michigan, contact your local clinic or call 1-800-942-1636.

Michigan WIC and Lead Testing

Michigan WIC clinics conduct lead testing for children — a meaningful public health function given Michigan's history of lead exposure concerns in communities like Flint. Lead testing done at WIC is tracked at the state level as part of Michigan's broader childhood lead poisoning prevention program. If you're concerned about your child's lead exposure, your local Michigan WIC clinic can screen and refer.

Frequently Asked Questions — Michigan WIC

Michigan WIC Income Limits 2026

Automatic Income Eligibility in Michigan

If your household participates in any of these programs, you automatically meet WIC's income requirement in Michigan:

• Medicaid
• Food Assistance Program (FAP) — Michigan's SNAP program
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

Bring your current enrollment documentation to your WIC appointment instead of income paperwork. Michigan WIC specifically notes that families who do not qualify for FAP or Medicaid may still qualify for WIC, because WIC's income limit is set higher than SNAP's threshold — so it's worth applying even if you were previously denied other benefits.

Michigan has 12 federally recognized tribes. Tribal members participating in the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) should contact their local WIC office about adjunctive eligibility options.

What Counts as Income in Michigan

Michigan WIC counts all gross household income before taxes, including wages, self-employment income, Social Security, child support, alimony, unemployment benefits, and pension income. Housing assistance and tax refunds are not counted.

Income Is Not the Only Requirement

Meeting the income threshold qualifies you on one criterion, but Michigan WIC also requires a nutritional risk determination made at your free certification appointment. Nearly all applicants meet at least one nutritional risk criterion. Use the eligibility check tool at wiccp.state.mi.us to pre-screen before contacting a local clinic.

Michigan WIC Approved Foods

Michigan WIC's Approved Product List (APL) is maintained by MDHHS and updated monthly. The current APL in Excel format is available at michigan.gov/mdhhs. The WIC Connect app allows participants to check approved items by scanning barcodes while shopping. A new food guide took effect on March 1, 2026, following a public webcast on February 18, 2026 introducing changes to authorized foods and minimum stock requirements. Food guides are available in English, Spanish, and Arabic.

Whole Grains

Michigan WIC's whole grain benefit is measured in ounces and you can mix and match any approved grain products up to your monthly allowance. Approved categories include:

• Bread: 100% whole wheat or whole grain loaves — approved brands include Aunt Millie's, Brownberry, Pepperidge Farm, Sara Lee, Great Value, Kroger, and others. Any size.
• Tortillas: 100% whole wheat or whole corn soft tortillas, any brand or size. Blue corn flour, white flour, and flavored tortillas are not approved.
• Pasta: 100% whole wheat or whole grain, any brand, any shape. Rice-, quinoa-, or corn-based pasta is not approved.
• Oats: Rolled oats, old fashioned oats, steel cut oats, and quick cooking oats — any brand or size. Organic oats and premium brands such as Bob's Red Mill are not approved. Packets are not approved for this category (packets are approved under hot cereal).
• Other whole grains: Brown rice, wild rice, quinoa (any color), whole-grain barley, farro, millet, buckwheat, corn meal, and corn masa flour — any brand or size. Pearled grains and frozen or refrigerated grains are not approved. Premium brands such as Bob's Red Mill, Lundberg, and Rice Select are not approved.
• Other bread products: Whole wheat or whole grain buns, bagels, sandwich thins, English muffins, and bakery products — any brand or size, including gluten-free options.

Breakfast Cereals

Cold cereals must be in an 11.8–36 oz box or bag. Michigan approves specific brands and flavors from General Mills (Cheerios varieties, Chex, Fiber One, Kix, Total, Wheaties), Kellogg's (Corn Flakes, Crispix, Frosted Mini-Wheats, Kashi, Raisin Bran, Rice Krispies, Special K), Malt-O-Meal, Mom's Best, Post (Bran Flakes, Grape-Nuts, Great Grains, Honey Bunches of Oats, Raisin Bran), Quaker (Life, Oatmeal Squares), Silver Pallet Kitchens Grain Berry, and store brands from Meijer, Kroger, Great Value, Essential Everyday, Best Choice, IGA, and others.

Hot cereals must be in a 9–36 oz box. Approved hot cereals include Cream of Wheat (Original and Whole Grain, packets allowed), Maypo Instant Oatmeal Maple, Quaker Instant Grits (Original and Butter, packets only), Quaker Instant Oatmeal (Original, packets only), and store brand instant oatmeal in regular flavor from Meijer, Kroger, Great Value, Essential Everyday, Best Choice, IGA, and Our Family.

You can mix and match hot and cold cereals up to your monthly total.

Eggs

Michigan WIC approves one dozen cage-free eggs per package, white shells only, any brand or size. Free range, pasture raised, pasteurized, and omega-3- or DHA-enriched eggs are not approved. Michigan publishes a separate Approved Eggs List on the WIC foods page with approved UPCs.

Tofu

Michigan WIC includes tofu as a protein option in eligible food packages — check your Shopping List to confirm it is included for your category. Approved package size is 14–16 oz refrigerated block tofu. Approved brands are Azumaya (Firm, Soft, Medium, Extra Firm), House Foods (Firm, Extra Firm), Nasoya (Firm, Extra Firm), Simple Truth (Firm, Extra Firm), and True Goodness Organic (Firm, Extra Firm). Cubed tofu, tofu with added herbs or seasonings, and shelf-stable tofu are not approved.

Canned Fish

Canned fish is available for eligible participants — check your Shopping List. Any size can or foil pouch is accepted. Michigan approves four varieties: chunk light tuna, pink salmon, sardines, and mackerel. Any brand is acceptable for these varieties. Fish may be packed in water or oil; tuna and sardines may have added flavorings such as tomato sauce, mustard, or lemon. Flavored pink salmon is also approved. Fish may contain bones or skin.

Not approved: albacore or solid white tuna; Atlantic, Red Sockeye, or Blueback Sockeye salmon; Jack or King mackerel; fresh or frozen fish; premium brands such as Blue Harbor, Private Selection, and Wild Planet.

Plant-Based Beverage (Soy and Pea Milk)

If your Shopping List shows a soy beverage allowance, Michigan WIC approves specific brands in 32–64 oz containers. Approved options include 8th Continent Soy Beverage (Original and Better Goods, 32 and 64 oz, refrigerated), Pacific Foods Ultra Soy Original (32 oz, shelf stable), Ripple Pea Protein Beverage (48 oz, refrigerated), Ripple Kids Pea Protein Beverage (48 oz, refrigerated), Silk Soy Beverage (Original and Vanilla, 32 and 64 oz, refrigerated and shelf stable), and Silk Kids Pea and Oatmilk Blend (59 oz, refrigerated). Michigan's plant-based beverage list differs from other states — Ripple and Pacific Foods are approved here but not universally, so check the current APL if you don't see a brand listed.

Cheese

Michigan WIC approves 16 oz (1 lb) blocks of U.S.-made prepackaged cheese only. Approved varieties are Cheddar, Colby, Colby Jack (Cojack), Monterey Jack, Muenster, Provolone, Mozzarella, Swiss, American, and String (without individual wrapping). Shredded, grated, cubed, crumbled, and individually wrapped slice formats are not approved. Fresh mozzarella, imported cheese, plant-based cheese, and organic cheese are also not approved. Your Shopping List shows the maximum allowed price per pound.

Yogurt

Yogurt must be the type shown on your Shopping List (whole, lowfat, or nonfat). Approved container sizes are 32 oz tubs, 4 oz 4-packs (16 oz total), 4 oz 8-packs (32 oz total), and 2 oz tube multipacks. Approved brands include Activia (Low Fat), Best Choice (Non Fat and Low Fat, 32 oz tubs), Dannon (Non Fat, Low Fat, Whole Fat), Go-Gurt Simply (Non Fat and Low Fat), Great Value (Non Fat and Low Fat), Karoun (any fat level), Kroger (any fat level, 32 oz tubs), LALA (Low Fat), Meijer (Low Fat and Whole Fat, 32 oz tubs), and Yoplait (Low Fat). Greek yogurt, plant-based yogurt, organic yogurt, and yogurts with artificial sweeteners are not approved.

Peanut Butter, Other Nut Butters, and Beans

Your Shopping List shows which protein option applies to your food package. Options are:

• Peanut butter: 16–18 oz jar, any brand. Smooth, creamy, crunchy, or extra crunchy. Organic allowed. Reduced fat or whipped peanut butter is not approved.
• Other nut or seed butters: 12–18 oz jar. Approved options include tahini/sesame butter (Al Arz, Al Kanater, Durra, Lebanon Valley, Royal Tahini, Ziyad), almond butter (Our Family, Sam's Choice, Simple Truth, True Goodness), and sunflower seed butter (Sunbutter, WOW Butter). Organic not approved for this category.
• Dry beans, lentils, or peas: 16 oz (1 lb) package, any brand, any variety. Beans with seasoning packets and premium brands such as Barzi are not approved.
• Canned beans or peas: Four 15–16 oz cans or jars, any brand, any variety including fat-free refried beans and low-sodium options. Pork and beans, baked beans, chili beans, and soup are not approved.

Juice

Michigan WIC approves 100% juice with at least 80% of the daily value for Vitamin C on the Nutrition Facts label, in 64 oz containers. Added calcium and fiber are allowed. Organic juice is not approved. Approved national brands include Apple & Eve (apple, cranberry blends), Campbell's Tomato Juice, Everfresh (apple, orange, kiwi strawberry), Juicy Juice (any flavor), Libby's Pineapple, Northland (cranberry varieties), Ocean Spray (cranberry varieties), Old Orchard (any flavor), V8 (Original, Low Sodium, Spicy Hot), and Welch's (grape, white grape, orange pineapple apple). Store brand 64 oz juices are also approved from Busch's, IGA, Kroger, Langer, Meijer, Nature's Nectar, Our Family, Smart Way, Tipton Grove, Value Time, and others — see the current food guide for the complete list.

Cash Value Benefit (Fruits and Vegetables)

Every Michigan WIC participant receives a monthly Cash Value Benefit (CVB) for purchasing fresh, frozen, or canned fruits and vegetables at authorized grocery stores and pharmacies. CVB amounts vary by participant category — see your local WIC clinic or the current food guide at michigan.gov/mdhhs for current amounts. Your CVB can be used alongside WIC Produce Connection benefits at authorized growers.

WIC Produce Connection (formerly Project FRESH): Michigan WIC participants receive additional benefits for locally grown Michigan fruits and vegetables through the WIC Produce Connection program. As of 2024, these benefits are loaded directly onto your WIC EBT card rather than issued as paper coupons. Authorized growers — farms and roadside stands across all 83 counties — are the primary providers. The program is seasonal; visit michigan.gov/mdhhs for the current benefit period end date and the authorized grower list for your county.

Updated food guide (effective March 1, 2026): Michigan WIC updated its food guide effective March 1, 2026. If you purchased items under the previous guide that no longer scan as approved, check the updated APL at michigan.gov/mdhhs or contact your local WIC clinic.

WIC Connect App

The WIC Connect app allows Michigan WIC participants to scan UPC barcodes while shopping to check whether an item is approved. Follow the setup instructions on the michigan.gov/mdhhs WIC foods page to create a test account and start using the app. Michigan WIC intends to update the APL monthly, so the app reflects relatively current approval data.

Shopping Tips

Michigan WIC benefits are redeemable at authorized retail grocery stores and pharmacies statewide. Benefits do not roll over month to month — use them before the end of each benefit period. If an item won't scan as approved, check the WIC Connect app or contact your local WIC clinic before completing your transaction.