Ohio WIC Program
Benefits, Eligibility & How to Apply
Ohio WIC Agency Contact
About the Ohio WIC Program
Ready to apply for Ohio WIC?
Call 1-800-755-4769 to schedule your first appointment, or see the step-by-step application guide →
Ohio WIC opened its first clinic in Lawrence County in June 1974 — just months after the program launched nationally — and has served Ohio families continuously for more than 50 years. Administered by the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), the program operates through county health departments and local WIC agencies in all 88 Ohio counties.
One of Ohio WIC's most distinctive features is its Peer Helper Breastfeeding Program. Ohio has established breastfeeding peer helpers statewide — women from the communities WIC serves who have breastfed their own babies and are trained to provide support, answer questions, and help new parents navigate breastfeeding challenges.
Who Qualifies for WIC in Ohio
Ohio WIC is open to pregnant women, breastfeeding women up to one year postpartum, postpartum women up to six months after delivery, infants, and children under age five. Fathers, grandparents, foster parents, and legal guardians can apply on behalf of eligible children.
If your household currently receives Medicaid, SNAP (Food Assistance), or Ohio Works First (OWF) — Ohio's TANF cash assistance program — you automatically meet WIC's income requirement. Bring your current enrollment card or documentation to your appointment. Ohio may also recognize Refugee Resettlement assistance or Disability Assistance from Job and Family Services — contact your local WIC office to confirm your documentation is accepted. For households not receiving those benefits, the standard threshold is 185% of the federal poverty level based on gross household income. A pregnant woman counts as more than one household member — each unborn baby adds one to the count.
What Ohio WIC Provides
Benefits are loaded onto an Ohio WIC Nutrition Card (eWIC card), redeemable at authorized grocery stores statewide. Ohio's food packages include milk, eggs, cheese, yogurt, cereal, whole grain bread, brown rice, whole wheat pasta, fruits and vegetables, peanut butter or beans, 100% juice, canned fish for breastfeeding women, infant formula, and baby food. Participants are seen every three months for an educational class or clinic visit and receive food benefits at each visit.
Ohio also participates in the WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP), which issues $5 coupons that eligible WIC participants can use at contracted Ohio farmers and markets to purchase fresh, unprocessed fruits, vegetables, and herbs during the summer and fall season. The program runs approximately June through October. Notable restriction: FMNP coupons in Ohio cannot be used to purchase citrus fruits or tropical fruits. FMNP coupons are separate from your monthly WIC fruit and vegetable cash value benefit — you can use both.
Ohio WIC also serves as a voter registration assistance site in compliance with the National Voter Registration Act — your local WIC clinic can help you register to vote at your appointment.
How to Apply for WIC in Ohio
Ohio WIC does not have a statewide online application. To apply, contact your local WIC clinic to schedule an appointment. You can find your nearest clinic by calling 1-800-755-GROW (4769), visiting odh.ohio.gov/wic, or using the Healthy Starts locator at signupwic.com. A printable WIC Program Application is also available at odh.ohio.gov/wic for you to complete before your appointment. Some local county agencies also offer their own online pre-application forms — check your county health department's WIC page.
Recertification in Ohio
Ohio WIC participants are seen every three months — four appointments per year. 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 annually. Your local WIC clinic will notify you when recertification is due.
Ohio WIC's 50-Year History
Ohio's WIC program has evolved significantly since that first Lawrence County clinic in 1974. Today's food packages include fresh, frozen, and canned produce across dozens of approved items. The Peer Helper Breastfeeding Program reflects a sustained commitment to community-based breastfeeding support that goes beyond what most states have implemented.
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 — Ohio WIC
Contact your local county WIC clinic to schedule a certification appointment. Find your nearest clinic at odh.ohio.gov/wic, by calling 1-800-755-GROW (4769), or using the Healthy Starts locator at signupwic.com. You can also pre-screen using the USDA WIC Eligibility Tool at fns.usda.gov/wic/eligibility-tool. Some county agencies offer their own online pre-application forms — check your county health department's WIC page.
If your household receives Medicaid, SNAP (Food Assistance), or Ohio Works First (OWF) — Ohio's TANF cash assistance program — you automatically meet WIC's income requirement. Bring your current enrollment documentation to your appointment. Ohio may also recognize Refugee Resettlement assistance or Disability Assistance from Job and Family Services — contact your local WIC office to confirm your documentation is accepted.
Ohio uses the federal WIC income threshold of 185% of the federal poverty level. For a household of four, that is approximately $4,957 per month or $59,478 per year in gross income. If your household receives Medicaid, SNAP, or Ohio Works First, you automatically meet the income requirement regardless of income.
Yes. Ohio WIC has a Peer Helper Breastfeeding Program with peer helpers across Ohio — women from the community who have breastfed their own babies and are trained to provide support. They offer one-on-one help by phone and in person. Electric breast pumps are available for eligible participants.
Yes. Ohio participates in the WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP), which issues $5 coupons for fresh, unprocessed fruits, vegetables, and herbs at contracted Ohio farmers and markets. The program runs approximately June 1 through October 31. Note that citrus and tropical fruits are not covered since they're not grown in Ohio. FMNP coupons are separate from your monthly WIC fruit and vegetable cash value benefit.
Ohio is one of the larger WIC-participating states in the Midwest, consistently serving a significant share of eligible families across all 88 counties. Ohio opened its first WIC clinic in Lawrence County in June 1974 and has served Ohio families for more than 50 years. For the most current Ohio WIC participation data, see the USDA FNS WIC Program Data at fns.usda.gov.
Ohio 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 Ohio
Ohio has a broader automatic eligibility list than many states. If your household participates in any of these programs, you automatically meet WIC's income requirement:
- Medicaid (Ohio Medical Card)
- SNAP (Food Assistance)
- Ohio Works First (OWF) — Ohio's TANF cash assistance program
Ohio may also recognize Refugee Resettlement assistance or Disability Assistance from Job and Family Services for automatic eligibility — contact your local WIC office to confirm your documentation is accepted.
Bring your current enrollment card or documentation to your WIC appointment. You do not need to be on any public assistance program to qualify — many working Ohio families qualify based on income alone.
What Counts as Income in Ohio
Ohio WIC counts all gross household income before taxes, including wages, self-employment income, Social Security, disability payments, child support, workers' compensation, 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 Ohio WIC also requires a nutritional risk determination made at your free certification appointment by a WIC health professional. Nearly all applicants meet at least one nutritional risk criterion. Use the USDA WIC Eligibility Tool at fns.usda.gov/wic/eligibility-tool to pre-screen before contacting your local clinic, or visit odh.ohio.gov/wic to find your nearest Ohio WIC clinic.
Ohio WIC Approved Foods
Ohio WIC's authorized food list is published by the Ohio Department of Health and updated periodically. The current list is available at odh.ohio.gov/wic. Your local WIC clinic can also provide a printed copy of the authorized food list in English and Spanish.
Ohio WIC Food Package Overview
Milk and dairy: Ohio WIC provides milk, cheese, and yogurt. Participants receive whole milk for children under 2 and low-fat or nonfat options for older children and women.
Whole grains: Ohio approves whole grain bread, brown rice, whole wheat pasta, oatmeal, and other whole grain options. Your monthly whole grain benefit is measured in ounces — you can mix and match approved grain products.
Fruits and vegetables: Fresh, frozen, and canned produce are all eligible. The cash value benefit (CVB) is $26 per month for children, $47 per month for pregnant or postpartum women, and $52 per month for breastfeeding women.
Canned fish: Breastfeeding women receive canned tuna or salmon on their Ohio WIC benefits. Check the current authorized food list for approved brands and package sizes.
Infant formula: Ohio manages a competitive bid contract for infant formula. The contract brand is issued by default. Medical documentation from a healthcare provider is required for non-contract or specialized formulas. Ohio has a dedicated WIC Prescribed Food and Formula Request Form for healthcare providers prescribing special formulas — available at odh.ohio.gov/wic.
Baby food: All infants over 6 months receive baby food and infant cereal. Rice cereal is no longer approved due to concerns about heavy metal content — oatmeal and other grain cereals are approved instead.
Ohio WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program
Ohio participates in the WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP), which issues $5 coupons that eligible WIC participants can use at contracted Ohio farmers and markets to purchase fresh, unprocessed fruits, vegetables, and herbs. The program runs approximately June 1 through October 31 each year. Vouchers are issued on a first-come, first-served basis — ask your local WIC clinic about availability.
Ohio FMNP restrictions: Coupons cannot be used for citrus fruits (lemons, oranges, limes, grapefruit, tangerines) or tropical fruits (bananas, pineapples, mangos), as these crops are not grown in Ohio. Coupons also cannot be used for baked goods, processed foods, jams, honey, apple cider, or maple syrup. FMNP coupons are separate from your monthly WIC fruit and vegetable cash value benefit — you can use both.
To find participating farmers and markets, contact your local WIC office or call the Ohio Department of Health WIC Farmers' Market program line at 1-800-282-3435.
