Washington WIC Program
Benefits, Eligibility & How to Apply
Washington WIC Agency Contact
About the Washington WIC Program
Ready to apply for Washington WIC?
Call 1-800-841-1410 to schedule your first appointment, or see the step-by-step application guide →
Washington State WIC serves diverse communities across the state — from the Seattle-Tacoma metro to rural eastern Washington, the Olympic Peninsula, and tribal communities — through over 200 clinics statewide. The program is operated by the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) and reaches an extraordinarily diverse population, including large communities speaking dozens of languages, 29 federally recognized tribes, and families spread across urban and remote rural areas.
Who Qualifies for WIC in Washington
Washington WIC is open to pregnant people, new and breast and chest feeding parents, infants, and children under age five. Dads, grandparents, and other caregivers of children under five may sign up their children for WIC. Foster children under age five are eligible, and foster teens who are pregnant are also eligible. U.S. citizenship is not required.
If you or your household members are on Apple Health (Washington's Medicaid program), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or Basic Food (Washington's SNAP program), you may be automatically eligible for WIC. Washington WIC specifically notes that its income guidelines are higher than many other programs — many families who assume they are over income actually qualify, and DOH actively encourages families to check.
What Washington WIC Provides
Benefits are loaded onto a Washington WIC card redeemable at authorized grocery stores and pharmacies statewide, as well as at participating farmers markets. Washington's food packages include milk, cereal, fruits and vegetables, whole grains, cheese, eggs, beans, peanut butter, juice, infant formula, and baby food. Participants who are fully breast and chest feeding receive extra foods to support milk production.
Every participant receives a Cash Value Benefit (CVB) for fruits and vegetables. Washington also participates in the WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP), which provides additional checks redeemable at participating farmers markets and farm stores from June 1 through October 31 each year.
Washington WIC has expanded its food packages in recent years. Check the WICShopper app for the current complete food list.
The WICShopper App
Washington State WIC uses the WICShopper app (free on iOS and Android) as its primary shopping tool. The app lets participants scan barcodes to check if foods are WIC-approved, view benefit balances and expiration notifications, find WIC offices and authorized stores, access farmers market locations, view recipes, and use produce and cereal calculators while shopping. Washington WIC also communicates with participants directly through the app.
DOH publishes WICShopper information materials in multiple languages reflecting Washington's population demographics, including Amharic, Arabic, Burmese, Chinese, Korean, Oromo, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Tigrinya, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese.
How to Apply for WIC in Washington
Washington does not have a statewide online WIC application, but you can fill out a WIC interest form online at doh.wa.gov, or use the WIC Clinic Locator at doh.wa.gov/you-and-your-family/wic to find your nearest clinic. You can also call the WIC Cascades Support Line at 1-800-841-1410 or text "WIC" to 96859. Washington offers remote WIC services — many appointments can be conducted by phone or video — so ask your local clinic what options are available.
WIC Does Not Affect Your Immigration Status
Washington State DOH explicitly states that being on WIC does not make you a public charge and does not affect your immigration status. U.S. citizenship is not required to qualify for Washington WIC.
Recertification in Washington
Certification periods vary by participant category. Your local WIC clinic will set your certification period at your initial appointment and notify you when recertification is due. Washington WIC offers remote services for many follow-up and recertification appointments — contact your local clinic to find out what remote options are available in your area.
Washington WIC and Tribal Nations
Washington is home to 29 federally recognized tribes. Tribal members may be served through Tribal WIC programs in their communities across the state. Washington State WIC's program monitoring explicitly includes participating Tribal Nations. Tribal members who participate in the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) should contact their local WIC office about adjunctive eligibility options. Call 1-800-841-1410 to find services in your area.
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 — Washington WIC
Washington 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 Washington
If you or your household members participate in any of these programs, you may be automatically eligible for WIC in Washington:
- Apple Health — Washington's Medicaid program
- TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)
- Basic Food — Washington's SNAP program
Contact your local WIC clinic to confirm eligibility and what documentation to bring. Washington WIC serves working families, military families, and families of all structures.
Washington is home to 29 federally recognized tribes. Tribal members who participate in the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) should contact their local WIC office about adjunctive eligibility options.
WIC Does Not Affect Immigration Status
Washington State DOH explicitly states that being on WIC does not make you a public charge and does not affect your immigration status. U.S. citizenship is not required to qualify for Washington WIC. Washington WIC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, or age.
What Counts as Income
Washington WIC counts all gross household income before taxes, including wages, self-employment income, Social Security, child support, alimony, unemployment benefits, and other income sources. Housing assistance and tax refunds are not counted. Call the WIC Cascades Support Line at 1-800-841-1410 if you have questions about income eligibility before your appointment.
Washington WIC Approved Foods
Washington WIC's approved food list is available through the WICShopper app (free on iOS and Android) or at doh.wa.gov/you-and-your-family/wic. Washington has expanded its food packages in recent years — check the current WICShopper app for the up-to-date complete food list.
Washington WIC Food Package Highlights
Dairy and alternatives: Milk, cheese (including string cheese), and yogurt including fruit-flavored varieties. Soy milk is available for participants who need it.
Whole grains and cereals: Washington WIC includes approved cereals and whole grain products. Your food package specifies the types and amounts of grains you can purchase — use the WICShopper app's cereal calculator while shopping to track your allowance.
Fruits and vegetables: The Cash Value Benefit (CVB) covers fresh, frozen, and canned options. Use the WICShopper app's produce calculator to track your CVB spending while shopping. Note: fresh produce will scan as "Not a WIC Item" in the app even though most fresh produce is WIC-allowed — check the WIC Allowable Foods section of the app for rules about buying fresh fruits and vegetables.
Canned fish: Available for eligible participants — must be listed in your food package for you to purchase it. Even if canned fish scans as "WIC allowed" in the app, it may not be in your specific benefits package.
Infant formula: Washington WIC manages a contract formula system. Medical documentation is required for non-contract formulas. Contact your WIC clinic if your infant requires a specialized formula.
WICShopper App
The WICShopper app is Washington's primary tool for WIC shopping. Use it to scan barcodes, check your benefit balance, find WIC stores and farmers markets, view recipes, and use the produce and cereal calculators. Download WICShopper from the App Store or Google Play and select Washington during setup.
DOH publishes WICShopper information materials in multiple languages including Amharic, Arabic, Burmese, Chinese, Korean, Oromo, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Tigrinya, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese.
Washington WIC Farmers Market Program
Washington participates in the WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP), providing additional checks redeemable at participating farmers markets and farm stores. The redemption period runs June 1 through October 31 each year. Use the WICShopper app's Farmers Market Nutrition Program button to find participating locations and learn how to use your farmers market checks. Ask your local WIC office about what is available in your area, including any local matching programs.
