North Carolina WIC Program
Benefits, Eligibility & How to Apply
North Carolina WIC Agency Contact
About the North Carolina WIC Program
Ready to apply for North Carolina WIC?
Apply online at www.ncdhhs.gov → or call 1-844-601-6881 to get started.
North Carolina WIC is administered by the NC Division of Child and Family Well-Being through county health departments, community and rural health centers, and community action agencies serving all 100 North Carolina counties. In early 2026, North Carolina updated its WIC food packages to allow for more choice and variety — and the state's WIC shopping guide was updated in January 2026 to reflect those changes.
One of North Carolina's more practical innovations for participants is the MyNCWIC Portal, which allows enrolled participants to manage appointments, upload documents, and complete some appointments by video conference without visiting a clinic in person. The portal is a participant management tool — not an application site — but once you're enrolled it significantly reduces clinic trips.
Who Qualifies for WIC in North Carolina
North Carolina WIC is open to pregnant women, postpartum women up to six months after pregnancy, breastfeeding women up to one year postpartum, infants, and children up to age five. Foster families with qualifying individuals may also be eligible. North Carolina explicitly notes that WIC is not included in the public charge test — participation cannot be used against applicants in immigration proceedings.
If you receive Medicaid, Work First Family Assistance (WFFA/TANF), or NC Food and Nutrition Services (FNS/SNAP), you automatically meet the income eligibility requirement and do not need to bring additional income documentation. For households not in those programs, the income threshold is 185% of the federal poverty level.
North Carolina has a particularly responsive application timeline: after submitting a referral form, a WIC clinic will contact you within 20 calendar days — but pregnant women, families with infants younger than six months, people experiencing homelessness, and migrant farmworkers are contacted within 10 calendar days.
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians operates its own WIC Program for EBCI members in western North Carolina — EBCI members can indicate their preference on the NC WIC Referral Form to be connected with EBCI WIC services directly. Tribal members of other communities who participate in the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) should contact their local WIC office about adjunctive eligibility options.
What North Carolina WIC Provides
Benefits are issued on an NC eWIC card redeemable at authorized retail grocery stores and pharmacies statewide. Check with the store before using self-checkout for eWIC transactions — availability varies by retailer. When in doubt, use a staffed checkout lane.
North Carolina's food packages include milk, cheese, yogurt, tofu, soy-based beverage, eggs, cereal, whole-grain bread, brown rice, whole-wheat and soft corn tortillas, fruits and vegetables, 100% juice, dried or canned beans, peas, lentils, peanut butter, and chunk-light tuna or salmon for fully breastfeeding women. Infants also receive formula, cereal, fruits, vegetables, and meats for fully breastfed infants.
Every participant receives a Cash Value Benefit (CVB) for fruits and vegetables. All local NC WIC agencies provide breastfeeding aids including manual and electric breast pumps. Many local agencies also have breastfeeding peer counselor programs for mother-to-mother support. Nutrition education visits can be completed online through wichealth.org in many cases.
How to Apply for WIC in North Carolina
To apply, submit the NC WIC Referral Form online at ncdhhs.gov/ncwicreferral, call or text 1-844-601-6881, or text wic + your zip code (for example, wic27601) to that number to find your nearest WIC agency. You can also use the WIC County Directory on the NCDHHS website to look up your local agency directly. The first appointment is best done in person, but remote options may be available through your local WIC clinic.
Recertification in North Carolina
Pregnant women are certified through delivery. Breastfeeding women are certified up to one year postpartum. Postpartum non-breastfeeding women are certified for six months. Children are certified periodically. Your local WIC agency will notify you when recertification is due. Some recertification appointments can be completed via video conference through the MyNCWIC Portal — ask your local agency what's available.
North Carolina WIC Across 100 Counties
North Carolina's WIC program spans all 100 counties, from the densely populated Research Triangle and Charlotte metro to rural Appalachian mountain counties and coastal plain communities.
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 — North Carolina WIC
North Carolina 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 North Carolina
If you receive any of these programs, you automatically meet WIC's income requirement in North Carolina and do not need to bring additional income documentation:
- Medicaid
- Work First Family Assistance (WFFA) — North Carolina's TANF program
- NC Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) — North Carolina's SNAP/food stamps program
Bring your current enrollment documentation to your WIC appointment. North Carolina uses the program names "Work First Family Assistance" and "Food and Nutrition Services" — make sure you bring documentation for either of these rather than federal program names if that's what appears on your card or letter.
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians operates its own WIC Program in western North Carolina. Tribal members of other communities who participate in the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) should contact their local WIC office about adjunctive eligibility options.
WIC Is Not Public Charge
North Carolina explicitly states that WIC is not included in the public charge test. If you are a non-citizen, participating in WIC cannot be used against you in immigration proceedings. NC DHHS publishes a fact sheet on WIC and public charge available in English and Spanish at ncdhhs.gov/ncwic.
What Counts as Income
North Carolina WIC counts all gross household income before taxes, including wages, self-employment income, Social Security, child support, alimony, unemployment benefits noted on your unemployment letter or notice, and other income sources. Housing assistance and tax refunds are not counted.
North Carolina WIC Approved Foods
North Carolina WIC updated its approved food packages in early 2026 to allow for more choice and variety. The NC WIC Shopping Guide was updated in January 2026, and additional changes to approved foods took effect November 1, 2025. The current shopping guide and food changes documents are available at ncdhhs.gov/ncwic in English and Spanish.
North Carolina WIC Food Package Overview
Dairy and alternatives: Milk, cheese, yogurt, tofu, and soy-based beverage are all included in North Carolina's food packages. North Carolina explicitly includes soy-based beverage as a standard option — ask your WIC nutritionist about adding it to your benefits.
Whole grains: Approved options include whole-grain bread, brown rice, whole-wheat pasta, soft corn tortillas, and whole-wheat tortillas. Your monthly whole grain benefit is measured in ounces and you can mix and match approved grain products.
Fruits and vegetables: Fresh, frozen, and canned options are eligible under the monthly Cash Value Benefit (CVB). North Carolina's food package updates in 2026 expanded variety in this category.
Protein: Dried or canned beans, peas, lentils, peanut butter, and eggs are all approved. Fully breastfeeding women receive chunk-light tuna or salmon as an additional benefit.
Infant foods: Formula, cereal, fruits, vegetables, and meats (for fully breastfed infants). North Carolina has adopted the updated federal WIC food package guidelines for infant cereals — ask your WIC nutritionist about currently approved infant cereal options for your baby.
Special formulas: Available for women and children with certain medical conditions. A prescription from a physician or health care provider is required before NC WIC can provide a special formula or nutritional supplement.
Shopping with NC eWIC
Your NC eWIC card works at authorized retail grocery stores and pharmacies statewide. Check with the store before using self-checkout for eWIC transactions — availability varies by retailer. When in doubt, use a staffed checkout lane.
Manage your eWIC benefits, check your balance, set your PIN, or replace a lost card through the ebtEDGE app (free on iOS and Android) or at ebtEDGE.com. For eWIC customer service, call 1-844-230-0813. Benefits do not roll over — use them before the end of each monthly benefit period.
Some nutrition education visits can be completed online at wichealth.org, reducing in-person clinic trips after initial certification.
