New Jersey WIC Program
Benefits, Eligibility & How to Apply
New Jersey WIC Agency Contact
About the New Jersey WIC Program
Ready to apply for New Jersey WIC?
Apply online at wic.nj.gov → or call 1-800-328-3838 to get started.
New Jersey WIC is administered by the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH), Family Health Services, and serves families across all 21 counties through a network of local WIC agencies and clinic offices. The program provides free nutritious foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to healthcare and community services for pregnant women, postpartum women, infants, and children up to age 5. New Jersey WIC is open to all eligible residents regardless of immigration status — the program explicitly states it serves all who qualify regardless of immigration background, and WIC participation is not considered in public charge determinations.
Online Pre-Screening and Application — Participant Portal
New Jersey WIC offers an online Participant Portal at wic.nj.gov/participantportal. The pre-screening takes approximately 15 minutes and submits your information directly to your local WIC agency team. After submitting, a WIC staff member will contact you to schedule your certification appointment. Contact your local WIC agency to ask about appointment options. This portal is also available in Spanish.
Families First Discovery Pass — Free Cultural Access for WIC Families
New Jersey WIC participants enjoy a unique statewide benefit: the Families First Discovery Pass (FFDP). WIC participants can use their eWIC card to gain free or deeply discounted admission to arts organizations, history museums, cultural centers, and performance venues throughout New Jersey — both in-person and virtual. The program is a partnership between the NJ State Council on the Arts, the NJ Historical Commission, and the NJ Departments of Human Services and Health. It's one of the most distinctive WIC-adjacent benefits in the country, giving WIC families access to cultural enrichment experiences at no additional cost.
NJ WIC Online — Nutrition Education from Home
New Jersey WIC offers NJ WIC Online, a digital platform where participants can fulfill their WIC nutrition education requirements through interactive online tools — available in English and Spanish. This allows busy families to complete required nutrition education at home on their own schedule, reducing the need for additional in-person clinic visits.
Farmers' Market Nutrition Program
NJ WIC partners with farmers and farmers' markets across the state through the Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP), co-administered by the NJ Department of Agriculture. Eligible WIC participants receive seasonal benefits to purchase fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables, and herbs directly from certified NJ farmer vendors at roadside stands and community farmers' markets. The program supports both participant nutrition and New Jersey's local agricultural economy.
Work First New Jersey and General Assistance
New Jersey's TANF program is called Work First New Jersey (WFNJ/TANF). New Jersey also provides cash assistance to single adults and couples without dependent children through Work First New Jersey/General Assistance (WFNJ/GA). Both programs confer automatic income eligibility for WIC. NJ FamilyCare is New Jersey's combined Medicaid and CHIP program covering families, children, pregnant women, and low-income adults.
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 Jersey WIC
New Jersey 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). | ||
Automatic Income Eligibility in New Jersey
If your household is enrolled in any of these programs, you automatically meet WIC's income requirement in New Jersey:
- NJ FamilyCare (New Jersey's combined Medicaid and CHIP program)
- SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)
- Work First New Jersey/TANF (WFNJ/TANF)
- Work First New Jersey/General Assistance (WFNJ/GA)
Bring your current enrollment documentation to your WIC appointment. No separate income verification is required if you are enrolled in any of these programs.
What Counts as Income in New Jersey
New Jersey WIC counts all gross household income before taxes, including wages, self-employment income, Social Security, child support, alimony, unemployment benefits, and other regular income sources. Housing assistance and tax refunds are not counted as income.
Income Is Not the Only Requirement
Meeting the income threshold qualifies you on one criterion, but New Jersey WIC also requires a nutritional risk determination made at your certification appointment by a WIC health professional. The assessment is free and nearly all applicants meet at least one nutritional risk criterion. Use the NJ WIC Participant Portal to check your eligibility before applying, or contact your local WIC agency to schedule an appointment.
New Jersey WIC Approved Foods
New Jersey WIC food benefits are loaded monthly onto an eWIC card redeemable at authorized grocery stores across New Jersey. The WIC Shopper app (with UPC scanning) helps participants confirm whether items are WIC-approved before checkout. The NJ WIC Approved Product List was updated effective April 2026 to reflect changes following the April 2024 USDA final rule on WIC food packages. New Jersey WIC also participates in the Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) for seasonal fresh local produce.
Fruits and Vegetables
All participants receive a monthly Cash Value Benefit (CVB) for fresh, frozen, or canned fruits and vegetables. The monthly CVB amount for your benefit category is shown on your WIC shopping list. Fresh options include whole or cut produce, bagged salad mixes and greens, fresh potatoes, and fresh herbs — organic is allowed. Salad bar items, dried fruit, and items with added dips or dressings are not approved. Frozen options include any plain or plain mixed vegetables and unsweetened frozen fruit; items with sauces, breading, or added seasonings are not approved. Canned options include water- or juice-packed fruit, unsweetened applesauce, plain vegetables, tomato products (paste, puree, diced, crushed, stewed), green peas, and lima beans — organic is allowed. Sauerkraut, pickles, baked beans, soups, and salsas are not approved with the CVB benefit.
Eligible participants also receive seasonal FMNP benefits to purchase fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables, and herbs from certified NJ farmer vendors at authorized farmers' markets and roadside stands.
Milk
Fluid milk must be a store brand — the sole exception is Kosher fluid milk, for which any brand is approved. Lactose-reduced or 100% lactose-free milk is approved in any brand. Evaporated/canned milk is approved in 12 oz. cans only, any brand. Dry/powdered milk is approved in 3, 8, or 10 qt sizes, any brand. UHT (shelf-stable) milk is also approved in any brand. Not approved: organic milk, goat milk, rice milk, flavored or sweetened milk, acidophilus, kefir, cultured buttermilk, "Plus" or calcium-fortified milk, half and half, or Leche Klim.
Plant-Based Beverage
If your benefits include a plant-based beverage, NJ WIC approves specific brands in half-gallon and quart sizes: 8th Continent soy beverage (Original, Vanilla — half gallon, refrigerated), Bettergoods (Original — half gallon, refrigerated), Pacific Foods Ultra Soy Original (quart, shelf stable), Ripple pea protein beverage (Original — quart, shelf stable), and Silk soy beverage (Original, Unsweetened, Vanilla — half gallon, refrigerated). Almond, coconut, oat, and other non-soy/pea alternatives are not approved under this benefit.
Cheese
Cheese must be U.S.-made from 100% pasteurized cow's milk in 8 oz. or 16 oz. prepackaged formats. Block, individual slices, and shredded are all approved formats in New Jersey. Approved varieties: American (pasteurized process), Cheddar, Colby, Monterey Jack, Muenster, Mozzarella (part skim or whole), Provolone, Swiss, and blends of those varieties. Regular, reduced-fat, and low-sodium versions are all eligible. Not approved: string cheese, individually wrapped slices, deli cheese, imported cheese, cheese food, cheese spread, cheese product, flavored cheese, and organic cheese.
Yogurt
Yogurt must be in a 32 oz. container or 4 oz. cup-size packs. Fat level (whole, low-fat, or nonfat) is set by your food prescription. Approved national brands include Activia (low-fat, most flavors — the "Light" variety is not approved), Axelrod, Brown Cow, Dannon, Desi Natural Dahi, La Yogurt, LaLa, Lucerne, and Yoplait. New Jersey's approved list explicitly includes Kosher-certified brands — Mehadrin (low-fat) and J&J and Norman's (nonfat) — reflecting the state's large observant Jewish community. Store brand options are also approved.
Greek yogurt is not approved in New Jersey WIC. Also not approved: organic yogurt, drinkable yogurt, yogurt with artificial or non-nutritive sweeteners (sucralose, acesulfame, or stevia, as found in many "light" varieties), and yogurt with mix-in ingredients such as granola, candy pieces, honey, or nuts.
Eggs
New Jersey WIC approves one dozen Grade A large, white-shell eggs per benefit, any brand. Brown, jumbo, extra-large, and medium sizes are not approved. Cage-free, free-range, organic, Omega-3-enriched, and Eggland's Best eggs are not approved. Egg substitutes are not approved.
Whole Grains
New Jersey WIC approves five whole grain categories. Organic is not approved except where noted below.
- Pasta: 100% whole wheat, 12–16 oz. Approved brands include Barilla, Bionaturae Organic (one of the few categories where organic is explicitly approved in NJ), Chuster, De Cecco, Hodgson Mill, and Ronzoni, among others. Approved shapes include spaghetti, thin spaghetti, penne, penne rigate, rotini, elbows, linguine, and angel hair.
- Bread and bread products: 100% whole wheat, 8–24 oz. Includes whole wheat bread, bagels, English muffins, pita, rolls, and sandwich thins. Approved brands include Arnold, Bimbo, Freihofer, Nature's Own, Panera, Pepperidge Farm (including Farmhouse, Very Thin, 15-Grain, and Oatmeal varieties), Sara Lee, Stroehmann, Thomas (bagels and English muffins), Toufayan whole wheat pita, and Wonder, among others. Windmill Farms (Hamatzie and Mezonos designations) is listed for observant Jewish participants. Honey and cinnamon raisin flavored varieties are not approved.
- Tortillas: 100% whole wheat or corn (white or yellow), 8–24 oz. Approved brands include Celia's, Chi Chi's, Don Pancho, Goya, Guerrero, Herdez, La Banderita, Mission, and Ortega, among others. Hard shell, flavored, and flour tortillas are not approved.
- Brown and wild rice: Any brand, 8–24 oz. — long grain, short grain, instant, quick, or boil-in-bag. Brown/wild rice blends are approved. White, basmati, and jasmine rice are not approved; flavored or seasoned varieties and organic are not approved.
- Quinoa: 12–16 oz.; organic is allowed for quinoa. All colors (white, red, tri-color) are approved. Approved brands include Badia, Galil, Goldbaums, Goya, Pereg, and Success, among others. Quinoa with added seasonings, fats, or salt is not approved.
Breakfast Cereals
Cold cereals must be 12–36 oz.; hot cereals must be 11.8–36 oz. You can mix and match hot and cold approved cereals up to your monthly total. Organic cereals are not approved.
Cold cereals: General Mills (Cheerios varieties, Chex varieties, Fiber One Honey Clusters, Kix, Total Whole Grain, Wheaties), Kellogg's (Corn Flakes, Crispix, Frosted Mini-Wheats and flavored varieties, Raisin Bran, Rice Krispies, Special K varieties), Post (Bran Flakes, Grape-Nut Flakes, Great Grains varieties, Honey Bunches of Oats varieties, Raisin Bran), Quaker (Life Multigrain, Oatmeal Squares), and Malt-O-Meal are all on the approved list. Kosher-certified brands Kemach and Paskesz are also listed. Store brand options are approved from a wide range of retailers.
Hot cereals: Cream of Wheat (Original, Whole Grain, and Instant varieties), Cream of Rice, Quaker Instant Grits Original (the quick 5-minute variety is not approved), Quaker Instant Oatmeal Original, and Quaker Quick Creamy Wheat. Store brand instant oatmeal in original flavor is approved from multiple brands.
Juice
All juice must be 100% juice with no added sugars; organic and cold-pressed juice are not approved. New Jersey applies different sizes by participant category.
Women receive either 11.5–12 oz. frozen concentrate or 48 oz. non-refrigerated or refrigerated 100% juice. All brands of 100% orange juice and grapefruit juice are universally approved. Approved brands for other flavors include Apple & Eve, Juicy Juice, Mott's, Old Orchard, and Seneca, among others.
Children receive 64 oz. non-refrigerated or refrigerated 100% juice. All brands of 100% orange and grapefruit juice are approved. The children's list is extensive and includes Apple & Eve (many flavors including cranberry varieties), Campbell's (tomato), Juicy Juice (any flavor), Kedem (grape — a Kosher brand common in the NJ market), Langers, Mott's, Northland (cranberry varieties), Ocean Spray (cranberry varieties), Old Orchard, V8 (Original, Low Sodium, Spicy Hot), and Welch's (grape, white grape). Sesame Street branded juices — Big Bird's Apple, Cookie Monster's Berry, Elmo's Punch, Grover's White Grape — are also approved for children.
Legumes, Peanut Butter, and Tofu
Peanut butter: 16–18 oz. jar, any brand. Creamy, crunchy, reduced-fat, and natural styles are all approved. Organic peanut butter, peanut spread, whipped peanut butter, and peanut butter with added ingredients are not approved.
Dry beans, peas, and lentils: 16 oz. package, any brand, any variety of mature beans, peas, or lentils. Canned beans, peas, and lentils: 15–16 oz. cans, any brand; organic canned beans are approved. Not approved in either format: baked beans, pork and beans, beans with meat, and beans with added sugars, fats, or soups.
Tofu is included in eligible NJ WIC food packages — check your benefits to confirm it is listed for your category. Approved size is 16 oz. Approved brands: Azumaya (Extra Firm, Firm), Franklin Farms (Extra Firm, Firm, Medium, Soft), House Foods America (Extra Firm, Firm, Medium Firm), and Nature's Soy (Firm, Soft). Organic tofu and tofu with added ingredients are not approved.
Canned Fish
Canned fish is available to eligible participants — check your WIC benefits to confirm it is included for your category. Three varieties are approved, any brand:
- Light tuna: 2.5 oz. or larger, cans or pouches, water or oil (plain varieties only). Albacore tuna is not approved.
- Pink salmon: 2.5 oz. or larger, cans or pouches, water or oil (plain varieties only). Blueback and red salmon are not approved.
- Sardines: 3.75 oz. cans, water or oil (plain varieties only; bones and skin are acceptable). Multi-packs are allowed for all three varieties.
Flavored fish with added seasonings, organic fish, and Jack Mackerel are not approved.
Infant Foods and Formula
Infant formula: Type, size, and amount are specified on your WIC benefits. Contact your local NJ WIC clinic for information on approved formula options and documentation requirements for non-standard formulas.
Infant cereal: 8 oz. containers only. Approved varieties are rice, oatmeal, mixed grains, whole wheat, and grits. Approved brands: First Choice and Gerber. Organic infant cereal is not approved. Varieties with added DHA, formula, fruit, yogurt, or protein are not approved.
Infant fruits and vegetables: 4 oz. individual containers (jars or pouches); organic is allowed. Variety packs of 4 oz. containers are approved; a 2-pack of 2 oz. containers counts as one container. Approved brands include Baby Basics, Beech-Nut, Beech-Nut Naturals, Beech-Nut Organics, Earth's Best Organic, First Choice, Gerber, Happy Baby Organics, Once Upon a Farm, Plum Organics, and others. Products with added DHA/ARA, salt, sugar, or other ingredients are not approved.
Infant meats: 2.5 oz. containers (multi-packs allowed); organic is allowed. Single meat or poultry varieties with broth or gravy only. Approved brands: Baby Basics, Beech-Nut, Earth's Best Organic, and Gerber. Infant food combinations, dinners, and products with added sugars or salt are not approved.
Shopping with Your NJ eWIC Card
Your eWIC card is redeemable at authorized grocery stores across New Jersey. Use the WIC Shopper app to scan UPC barcodes and confirm items against the current Approved Product List before checkout. Benefits expire at the end of each benefit period and do not roll over. If an item appears WIC-approved but will not scan, contact your local WIC agency before completing the purchase.
