New Hampshire WIC Program
Benefits, Eligibility & How to Apply
New Hampshire WIC Agency Contact
About the New Hampshire WIC Program
Ready to apply for New Hampshire WIC?
Apply online at www.nhwic.com → or call 1-800-942-4321 to get started.
New Hampshire WIC is administered by the NH Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Division of Public Health Services, serving participants across all 10 counties. Rather than operating its own clinics, DHHS contracts with four community-based organizations to deliver WIC services statewide. The program provides free nutritious foods, breastfeeding support, nutrition education, and referrals to healthcare and community services. New Hampshire WIC does not ask about immigration or citizenship status — WIC is open to all eligible residents and participation is not considered in public charge determinations.
Four Community Contractors Covering All 10 Counties
New Hampshire WIC is delivered through four contracted local agencies, each serving a defined region:
- Community Action Program — Belknap, Coos, Grafton, and Merrimack counties
- Goodwin Community Health — Carroll and Strafford counties
- Southern New Hampshire Services (SNHS) — Hillsborough and Rockingham counties
- Southwestern Community Services — Cheshire and Sullivan counties
Each contractor operates multiple clinic sites within its service area. To find your nearest clinic, visit dhhs.nh.gov/wic or call 1-800-942-4321.
Water Well-ness Initiative — Free Well Water Testing
New Hampshire WIC offers a nationally distinctive Water Well-ness Initiative for families using private wells. At WIC appointments, staff screen for private well use and provide eligible participants with a free water testing kit. If results show contamination above safe thresholds, WIC connects families with filtration resources at no cost. This initiative was developed in partnership with NH state agencies to protect pregnant women and young children from potential heavy metal exposure through well water.
Developmental Milestone Monitoring
NH WIC incorporates CDC developmental milestone screening (the "Learn the Signs, Act Early" / LTSAE program) at certification and mid-certification appointments for children. WIC staff use CDC milestone checklists to track how a child plays, learns, speaks, and moves — celebrating milestones reached and identifying potential delays early for referral. All NH WIC local agencies have implemented this program statewide.
NH EASY Data-Sharing
NH WIC works with the state's NH EASY benefits portal to help connect families who may qualify for WIC when applying for other benefits. Staff proactively reach out to connect eligible families with services, helping reduce the need to apply separately to multiple programs.
Farmers' Market Nutrition Program
NH WIC offers a Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) providing eligible participants with $30 in seasonal benefits (July 1–September 30) to purchase fresh local fruits, vegetables, and cut herbs at authorized New Hampshire farmers' markets and roadside stands. Currently available in Hillsborough and Rockingham counties while funding lasts. The program is expanding — check with your local WIC clinic for updates.
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 — New Hampshire WIC
New Hampshire 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). | ||
New Hampshire WIC uses the federal income guidelines — households at or below 185% of the federal poverty level qualify based on income. The table on this page shows the current limits by household size. All income sources count, including wages, self-employment, child support, and Social Security payments. Pregnant women count as two people when calculating household size.
Automatic Eligibility Through Other Programs
If your household is currently enrolled in any of the following programs, you are automatically income-eligible for NH WIC and do not need to provide separate proof of income:
- NH Medicaid
- SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)
- FANF (Financial Assistance to Needy Families — New Hampshire's TANF program), including the Family Assistance Program (FAP) and the NH Employment Program (NHEP)
Bring your enrollment card, award letter, or a recent benefit notice as proof. Income documentation is not required if you qualify through one of these programs.
Foster Children
Foster children are automatically eligible for WIC regardless of the foster family's income. Bring documentation of foster care status to the appointment.
If You Are Not Enrolled in a Qualifying Program
Bring proof of income from the past 30 days — pay stubs, an employer letter, or documentation of other income sources such as child support or Social Security. If your household has no income, a WIC nutritionist can help document your situation at the appointment.
Immigration Status
New Hampshire WIC does not ask about immigration or citizenship status. WIC participation is not considered in federal public charge determinations. All eligible residents may apply.
New Hampshire WIC Approved Foods
New Hampshire WIC food benefits are loaded monthly onto an eWIC card redeemable at authorized grocery stores statewide. Benefits expire at midnight on the last use date shown on your store receipt and WICShopper app — they do not carry over to the next month. Use this guide alongside your WIC Benefit Balance to know which foods and how much you can purchase each month.
eWIC Card and WICShopper App
To activate your card, call the customer service number on the back, enter the 16-digit card number, your ZIP code, and the date of birth of the primary cardholder, then choose a 4-digit PIN. At checkout, always swipe your eWIC card before other payment forms such as cash, debit, or SNAP. For large shopping trips, keep WIC items to 40 or fewer at a time — orders above that can cause the transaction to decline; split larger orders into two purchases if needed.
Download the free WICShopper app to check your benefit balance, scan items before putting them in your cart, and find authorized stores near you. You can also check your balance at your WIC office, on your last store receipt, at store customer service, or by calling the number on the back of your card. To find stores that allow WIC purchases at self-checkout, visit dhhs.nh.gov/wic#stores.
Fruits, Vegetables, and Fresh-Cut Herbs
All participants receive a monthly Cash Value Benefit (CVB) — the amount is shown on your WIC Benefit Balance — to purchase fruits, vegetables, and fresh-cut herbs. Any brand and any size is accepted.
- Fresh fruits and vegetables: any package type, variety, mixture, or form
- Fresh-cut herbs: any package type
- Frozen: any variety or mixture of frozen fruits or vegetables with or without salt, including frozen beans or peas
- Canned: any variety or mixture, including fruits packed in water or fruit juice; applesauce or applesauce fruit blends with no added sugar; vegetables with or without salt, added seasonings, or spices; tomatoes in any form (sauce, paste, whole, crushed, diced, or stewed); and beans and peas such as green peas, green beans, wax beans, snap beans, snap peas, and yellow beans
Not allowed: added sugar, syrup, artificial sweeteners, fat, oil, meat, pasta, rice, or sauce.
100% Juice
Must be labeled 100% juice. Not allowed: organic, light juice, juice drinks or cocktails, toddler or infant juice. Three formats are approved:
- Shelf-stable juice: 64-ounce plastic container only, specific brands and flavors. Apple & Eve (apple); Campbell's (tomato); Early On (apple, apple grape, apple/orange/pineapple, cranberry apple, cranberry blend, cranberry grape, grape, pineapple, white grape); Food Club (apple, grape, tomato, white grape); Great Value (apple, grape, orange juice blend, tomato, vegetable, white grape); Hannaford (apple, cherry juice blend, cranberry, grape, pineapple, ruby red grapefruit, tomato, vegetable original and hot & spicy, white grape); IGA (apple, grape, white grape); Juicy Juice (all flavors and blends); Kedem (grape); Langers (apple, grape, white grape); Libby's (pineapple); Market Basket (apple, grape, white grape); Market Pantry (apple, grape, unsweetened pineapple, tomato, white grape); Mott's (apple, apple cherry, apple mango, apple white grape, fruit punch, pineapple passion fruit, strawberry kiwi); Ocean Spray (cranberry); Old Orchard (apple, grape); PICS (apple, apple raspberry, grape, grapefruit, orange peach mango, pineapple, tomato, vegetable, white grape); Signature Select (apple, grape, tomato, vegetable, white grape); That's Smart (grape); V8 (vegetable); Welch's (grape, white grape, white grape peach)
- Refrigerated orange juice: 52–64 ounces, any brand, 100% pasteurized, plastic container or carton
- Frozen concentrate: 11.5–12-ounce can. Any brand for grapefruit, orange, or pineapple. For all other flavors, choose from: Early On (apple, grape), Food Club (apple, grape), Great Value (apple, grape), Hannaford (apple, grape), Market Basket (apple, grape, tropical fruit), Old Orchard (apple, cranberry, grape), PICS (apple, grape, white grape), Seneca (apple), Signature Select (apple)
Whole Grains — Bread, Bagels, English Muffins, and Tortillas
Bread and buns: 16, 20, or 24 ounces, 100% whole wheat or whole grain, specific brands required. Approved brands: Arnold (Country 100% whole wheat, Stone ground 100% whole wheat, 100% whole wheat hamburger buns), Aunt Millie's, Baker's Choice, Bimbo, Bowl & Basket, Country Hearth, Country Kitchen, Early On, Freihofer's (100% whole wheat stone ground, Country 100% whole wheat), Great Value (100% whole wheat, 100% whole wheat and honey, 100% whole wheat round top), Hannaford (100% whole wheat, Whole grain 100% whole wheat), Koepplinger's (100% whole wheat), Market Basket, Market Pantry, Nature's Own (100% whole wheat, 100% whole wheat with honey, Life 100% whole grain), Open Nature (100% whole wheat, Grains and seeds), Oroweat (100% whole wheat, Country 100% whole wheat), Pepperidge Farm (Farmhouse whole grain white, Light style 100% whole wheat, Very thin 100% whole wheat, Whole grain 100% whole wheat, Whole grain 15 grain, Whole grain German dark wheat, Whole grain honey wheat, Whole grain oatmeal), PICS, Sara Lee, Signature Kitchens (Whole wheat), Signature Select (100% whole wheat, Stoneground whole wheat), Stroehmann (Dutch Country 100% whole wheat), Wonder (100% whole wheat, Stoneground 100% whole wheat).
Bagels: up to 24 ounces, 100% whole wheat or whole grain. Market Basket (multigrain, whole wheat, whole wheat mini) and Thomas (100% whole wheat).
English muffins: up to 24 ounces, 100% whole wheat or whole grain. Market Basket (100% whole wheat, 100% whole wheat fork split), Signature Select (100% whole wheat), Thomas (100% whole wheat).
Tortillas: 16 ounces, whole wheat or soft corn. Chi-Chi's (whole wheat), Early On (soft corn, whole wheat), Great Value (whole wheat), Hannaford (soft corn, whole wheat), La Banderita (soft corn), Market Basket (soft corn, whole wheat), Mayan Farm (whole wheat), Mission (soft corn, whole wheat), Ortega (whole wheat), PICS (soft corn, whole wheat), Signature Select (whole wheat), Tropical (whole wheat).
Not allowed across all whole grain items: added ingredients or seasonings.
Whole Grains — Oatmeal, Rice, Pasta, and Other Whole Grains
Oatmeal: up to 32 ounces, plain old-fashioned, rolled, quick, instant, or steel-cut oats, specific brands. Bob's Red Mill (extra thick rolled, instant rolled, old fashioned rolled, quick rolled, regular/organic/gluten free rolled), Early On (instant, quick), Food Club (old fashioned, quick), Good & Gather (old fashioned, quick, steel cut), Hannaford (old fashioned, quick), McCann's (Irish, Steel cut Irish), Mom's Best (old fashioned, quick), Nature's Promise (steel cut quick), PICS (old fashioned rolled), Signature Select (old fashioned, quick, quick steel cut), Woodstock (organic instant). Not allowed: single-serving boxes, packages, pouches, or packets.
Brown or wild rice: up to 32 ounces, any brand, including instant or boil-in-bag brown rice.
Pasta: 16 ounces, any brand, 100% whole wheat or whole grain.
Other whole grains: up to 32 ounces, any brand. Approved grains: Amaranth, Buckwheat, Bulgur, Corn flour, Farro, Kamut, Millet, Quinoa, Sorghum, Teff. Not allowed: added ingredients or seasonings.
Cereal
Cold cereal: 9 ounces or larger, specific brands and types required. Approved brands include:
- General Mills: Bluey Cereal; Cheerios (Hearty Nut Medley, MultiGrain, Original, Veggie Blend); Chex (Blueberry, Cinnamon, Corn, Rice, Strawberry Vanilla, Wheat); Fiber One Honey Clusters; Kix Original; Mott's (Apple Cinnamon, Very Berry); Total (Plain, Whole Grain Flakes); Wheaties; Frosted Mini-Wheats (Blueberry, Chocolate, Golden Honey, Honey, Little Bites, Mixed Berry, Original, Pumpkin Spice, Strawberry); Rice Krispies Plain; Special K (Plain, Touch of Cinnamon)
- Kellogg's: All Bran Complete Wheat Flakes, Corn Flakes, Crispix
- MOM Brands: Crispy Rice, Frosted Mini Spooners, Strawberry Cream Mini Spooners
- Post: Grape Nuts, Grape Nut Flakes, Great Grains Crunchy Pecan, Honey Bunches of Oats (Cinnamon Bunches, Honey Roasted, Maple and Pecans, Whole Grain Honey Crunch, Whole Grain Vanilla Bunches, With Crispy Almonds)
- Quaker: Life (Multigrain, Regular, Strawberry), Mighty Life (Mixed Berry, Very Vanilla), Oatmeal Squares (Brown Sugar, Honey Nut)
- Store brands: Bowl & Basket/ShopRite (bran flakes, frosted shredded wheat, toasted oats/O's); Early On (Crispy Rice, El Gallito Corn Flakes, Honey Kiks, Honey Oats, Multi Grain OO's); Food Club (bran flakes, frosted shredded wheat, toasted oats/O's); Great Value (bite-sized frosted original and strawberry, bran flakes, frosted shredded wheat original and strawberry, rice crisps, toasted oats/O's); Hannaford (bite-sized frosted original, bran flakes, Tasteeos, wheat flakes); IGA (bite-sized frosted original, bran flakes, toasted oats/O's); Market Basket (bran flakes, frosted shredded wheat original and strawberry, toasted oats/O's original and multi); PICS (bite-sized frosted original and strawberry, bran flakes, toasted oats/O's); Signature Kitchens (bite-sized frosted original, bran flakes, toasted oats/O's); Signature Select (rice pockets)
Not allowed: single-serving boxes, packages, pouches, or packets.
Hot cereal: specific brands required. B&G Foods (Cream of Rice instant and regular; Cream of Wheat instant and original in 1-, 2.5-, and 10-minute varieties), Farina Mills (original creamy hot wheat cereal), Maypo (instant maple oatmeal, Vermont style oatmeal), MOM Brands (creamy hot wheat, original hot wheat), Quaker (instant grits original, quick creamy wheat enriched farina). Not allowed: single-serving packages, pouches, or packets.
Milk and Lactose-Free Milk
Fat content is determined by age: 1-year-old children receive whole milk; children ages 2–4 and women receive 1% low fat or fat free milk. Approved types include 1% low fat or fat free, whole, evaporated, ultra-high temperature (UHT), and powdered milk. Lactose-free milk is available in 1-gallon, ½-gallon, or 96-ounce containers.
Not allowed: organic, raw or flavored, buttermilk, glass bottles.
Soy Milk
Original or ultra soy original flavor, refrigerated or shelf-stable. Approved brands: 8th Continent (refrigerated), Bettergoods (refrigerated), Great Value (refrigerated), Pacific Natural Foods (shelf-stable), Silk (refrigerated and shelf-stable).
Cheese
8 or 16 ounces, any brand. Regular or reduced fat, prepackaged, dairy-case cheese in block, round, shredded, or sliced form. String cheese is approved in 100% mozzarella only.
Approved types: American, Cheddar, Cheddar-Jack, Colby-Jack, Monterey-Jack, Mozzarella, Muenster, Provolone, Swiss.
Not allowed: organic, deli or imported cheese, cheese product or cheese food, individually wrapped slices or singles.
Yogurt
Fat content is determined by age: 1-year-old children receive whole or low fat yogurt; children ages 2–4 and women receive low fat or fat free yogurt.
Containers: 32 ounces, regular or Greek, specific brands and flavors. Approved brands: Bowl & Basket (plain, vanilla), Brown Cow (cream top plain, plain), Cabot (plain, strawberry, vanilla), Chobani (plain, strawberry, vanilla, Less Sugar Madasascar Vanilla, Zero Sugar Strawberry Cheesecake, Zero Sugar Vanilla), Dannon (plain), Early On (plain, strawberry, vanilla), Food Club (plain, vanilla), Good & Gather (plain, vanilla), Great Value (plain), Green Mountain Creamery (plain, 0% vanilla), Hannaford (plain, strawberry, vanilla), Lucerne (plain), Maple Hill (unsweetened), Market Basket (low-fat blueberry, non-fat strawberry, plain, vanilla), Oikos (plain, vanilla bean), Open Nature (plain, vanilla), PICS (plain, strawberry, vanilla), Stonyfield (banilla, French vanilla, plain, strawberry, vanilla), Wallaby Organic (plain, vanilla bean), Yoplait (blueberry, harvest peach, plain, strawberry, strawberry banana, vanilla).
Tubes: 8- or 16-pack of 2-ounce tubes, specific brands. GoGurt Simply (mixed berry/strawberry banana, strawberry, strawberry/mixed berry, vanilla/raspberry) and Stonyfield (cherry berry, strawberry, strawberry banana, strawberry mixed berry).
Not allowed: products with artificial sweeteners — this includes items labeled Light, Simply 100, Triple Zero, or Light and Fit.
Tofu
8–16 ounces, specific brands and types. Azumaya (firm, extra firm), Franklin Farms (soft, firm, extra firm, pressed firm), Good & Gather (extra firm), Heiwa (organic tofu), House Foods (firm, extra firm), Nasoya (firm, extra firm, sprouted super firm), Nature's Promise (firm, extra firm), O Organics (firm, extra firm, cubed extra firm, sprouted super firm), Soy Boy (firm, extra firm).
Beans, Peas, and Lentils
Canned beans: 15–16-ounce can, any brand and variety, including low fat, fat free, and vegetarian refried beans. Not allowed: organic, soups, chili beans, seasoned beans, or baked beans, or beans with added meat.
Dry beans, peas, and lentils: 16-ounce or 1-pound bag, any brand and variety. Not allowed: organic, flavored, seasoned, gourmet, or soup mixes.
Peanut Butter
16–18-ounce jar, any brand, creamy, smooth, crunchy, or chunky. Not allowed: organic, spreads, low or reduced fat, deli, honey-roasted, or low carb, or products with added artificial sweeteners, palm oil, added flavors, honey, jelly, marshmallow, or chocolate.
Eggs
One-dozen carton, any brand, any color or size egg.
Canned Fish
Up to 7.5 ounces, any brand, can or pouch of any flavor packed in water or oil. Approved species: chunk light tuna, pink salmon, or sardines. Check your WIC Benefit Balance to confirm whether canned fish is included in your package.
Not allowed: white or albacore tuna, sockeye or red salmon, gourmet, smoked, grilled, or blackened fish, or flavored pink or Pacific salmon with added seasonings.
Infant Foods
Infant food packages are tailored by age and feeding method.
Infant fruits and vegetables: 4-ounce containers (single packs and multipacks), Stage 2 fruits, vegetables, or fruit and vegetable combinations, specific brands. Approved brands: Beech-Nut, Beech-Nut Naturals, Beech-Nut Organics, Early On, Earth's Best Organic, Gerber, Gerber Organic, Good & Gather (6+ months), Happy Baby Organic, Nature's Promise Organic, O Organics, Once Upon a Farm Organic, Parent's Choice, Tippy Toes Organic.
Infant cereals: 8-ounce container, specific brands and flavors. Early On (multigrain, oatmeal, rice), Earth's Best Organic (multigrain, oatmeal, rice), Gerber (multigrain, oatmeal, rice, whole wheat), Gerber Organic (oatmeal, oatmeal/quinoa/millet cereals, rice). Not allowed: added ingredients such as DHA, meat, poultry, cereal, noodles, rice, yogurt, or granola; toddler foods.
Infant meats: 2.5-ounce containers (single packs and multipacks), fully breastfed babies only. Beech-Nut (stage 1) and Gerber (stage 2).
Infant formula: choose the size, brand, and type listed on your WIC Benefit Balance.
Food Options With Medical Need
The following foods require a food package change — speak with your local WIC office if you have a nutrition or medical need for any of these items.
Other plant-based milk: Ripple (shelf-stable original 32 oz, shelf-stable unsweetened 32 oz), Ripple Kids (shelf-stable original 32 oz, shelf-stable unsweetened 32 oz, refrigerated original 48 oz, refrigerated unsweetened 48 oz), Silk Oatmilk Blend (59 oz).
Plant-based yogurt: Silk Plain Soymilk Yogurt (24 oz) and Silk Vanilla Soymilk Yogurt (24 oz).
Almond, Cashew, and Sun Butter: 16–18-ounce jar, any brand, creamy, smooth, crunchy, or chunky. Not allowed: organic, spreads, low or reduced fat, deli, honey-roasted, or low carb, or products with added artificial sweeteners, palm oil, added flavors, honey, jelly, marshmallow, or chocolate.
