Wisconsin WIC Program

About the Wisconsin WIC Program

Wisconsin WIC is administered by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) and delivered through 61 WIC agencies reaching every county in the state. The program serves tens of thousands of Wisconsin families each month — including pregnant women, new parents, infants, and children under five across all 72 Wisconsin counties.

Wisconsin's WIC program has roots going back to the very beginning of the national program. When Wisconsin launched its pilot in 1974 with the Great Lakes Inter Tribal Council (GLITC) WIC program, the Green Bay Area Free Clinic, and the Menominee Tribe, the state had just 1,300 total participants. Today those 61 agencies serve communities from Milwaukee and Madison to rural and tribal areas across all 72 counties.

Wisconsin's State-Specific Program Names

Wisconsin uses its own names for several state assistance programs, and knowing them matters for WIC eligibility. Wisconsin's SNAP program is called FoodShare. Wisconsin's Medicaid program is called BadgerCare Plus. Wisconsin's TANF cash assistance program is called Wisconsin Works (W-2). If you receive any of these, you likely qualify for WIC automatically — bring your current benefit letter or enrollment documentation to your appointment.

The Wisconsin MyWIC App

Wisconsin has its own state-branded mobile app — Wisconsin MyWIC — available free on the Apple App Store and Google Play. The app lets participants view their WIC benefit balance, search for WIC-approved foods, find stores that accept WIC, and receive messages and alerts from their WIC agency. It is the primary tool for managing benefits between appointments and checking whether a specific product qualifies before you get to the register.

Online Pre-Application and the Family Portal

Wisconsin WIC allows applicants to start the process online. You can submit a pre-application at the DHS WIC apply page, or contact your local WIC office to receive a link to set up a Family Portal account. The portal lets you submit proof of identity, address, and income documents online — and some agencies also allow documents to be submitted electronically ahead of your appointment. Phone and video appointments are available at many locations for follow-up visits once enrolled.

Fit Families Program

Wisconsin WIC offers a distinctive program called Fit Families for households with children ages 2 to 4. WIC nutritionists provide monthly support and tools to these families for a full year, with a focus on building healthy eating habits and physical activity routines. Research has shown that children who complete Fit Families eat more fruits and vegetables, drink less juice, are more physically active, and watch less TV.

Tribal WIC Services

Wisconsin has 11 federally recognized Native American tribes, and WIC services are available throughout tribal communities statewide. The Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council (GLITC), which partnered with the state on Wisconsin's original 1974 WIC pilot, operates a WIC program serving tribal communities across the state. Any Wisconsin resident who meets WIC income and categorical requirements is eligible to apply through GLITC or through the state WIC agency serving their county.

The 11 federally recognized tribes in Wisconsin are:

• Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin
• Ho-Chunk Nation
• Oneida Nation
• Forest County Potawatomi Community
• Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
• Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
• Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
• St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin
• Sokaogon Chippewa Community (Mole Lake Band of Lake Superior Chippewa)
• Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
• Stockbridge-Munsee Community

Tribal members and households on or near reservations who participate in the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) are adjunctively eligible for WIC — FDPIR participation can replace income documentation at your WIC appointment. Contact GLITC or your local county WIC agency to find the office closest to your tribal community.

Farmers' Market Nutrition Program

Each summer, Wisconsin WIC distributes Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) checks to eligible participants. These checks can be used at approved farmers' markets and farm stands across the state through October 31 to purchase fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables, and herbs. In 2024, the benefit was $40 per eligible WIC participant — separate from regular monthly food benefits. The amount is set each year; ask your local WIC agency about the current season's benefit and distribution dates.

Frequently Asked Questions — Wisconsin WIC

Wisconsin WIC Income Limits 2026

Pregnant Women Count as Two

If you are pregnant, Wisconsin WIC counts you as two people when calculating household size — yourself and the unborn child. This can shift your household into the next income tier and is particularly meaningful for smaller families near the income threshold.

Automatic Income Eligibility — Wisconsin's Program Names

Wisconsin uses state-specific names for its public assistance programs. If your household participates in any of the following, you are automatically likely to qualify for WIC income eligibility and do not need to provide additional income documentation:

• FoodShare — Wisconsin's name for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program / food stamps)
• BadgerCare Plus — Wisconsin's Medicaid health insurance program
• Wisconsin Works (W-2) — Wisconsin's name for the federal TANF cash assistance program
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
• Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)
• Kinship Care or Foster Care participation also qualifies children automatically

Bring your current benefit letter, enrollment card, or program documentation to your WIC appointment. That documentation replaces the need for pay stubs or other income records. Wisconsin WIC staff will verify your enrollment, often electronically.

Income Documentation if Not Auto-Eligible

If your household does not participate in any of the programs above, bring pay stubs from the last 30 days — four if paid weekly, two if paid bi-weekly, one if paid monthly. Also bring proof of any other income including Social Security, SSI, unemployment compensation, and child support. Your employer can fill out a Wisconsin WIC Employer Statement form (F-40076) if standard pay documentation is unavailable.

Wisconsin WIC does not ask about immigration status. You do not have to be a legal resident of the United States to receive WIC benefits in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin WIC Approved Foods

Wisconsin WIC food benefits are loaded onto an eWIC card and accepted at WIC-authorized grocery stores, pharmacies, and retailers statewide. Your monthly food package is based on your participant category — pregnant, breastfeeding, postpartum, infant, or child — along with the nutritional assessment completed at your certification appointment. The exact items and quantities you can purchase are shown on your WIC Shopping List and in real time on the Wisconsin MyWIC app. The Wisconsin WIC Shopping Guide (P-44578, effective April 2026) published by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services is the authoritative source for approved brands, sizes, and UPC codes.

How Your Food Package Is Determined

WIC food packages follow USDA federal rules tailored to each participant's nutritional needs. Pregnant women receive one package; breastfeeding women receive an enhanced package with more calories, canned fish, and additional items; postpartum women receive a reduced package; infants receive formula or infant foods depending on feeding method; and children ages 1–4 receive a child package. The dollar amount for the fruit and vegetable benefit and any variable items appear on your individual WIC Shopping List — they are not a single fixed amount across all participants.

Milk

White fluid milk is available in gallon or half-gallon containers (plastic, cartons, or bags). Your WIC Shopping List will specify which fat level you receive — whole, reduced-fat 2%, low-fat 1%, or fat-free. Lactose-free milk (including calcium-fortified varieties) is approved in half-gallon, 3-quart (96 oz), gallon, and quart containers. Evaporated milk comes in 12 oz cans. Non-fat dry milk is approved in 25.6 oz (8-quart) boxes or pouches only.

Do not purchase: flavored milk, goat's milk, acidophilus milk, buttermilk, ultra-filtered milk (such as Fairlife), A2 milk, milk with added Omega-3 or protein, or organic varieties.

Plant-Based Milk

Wisconsin WIC approves specific plant-based milk products for participants whose WIC Shopping List includes this benefit. Only the following brands and varieties in 48–64 oz refrigerated containers are approved:

• 8th Continent: Original
• Silk: Original, Vanilla, Unsweetened
• Silk Kids: Original
• Better Goods: Original
• Ripple: Original, Unsweetened
• Ripple Kids: Original, Unsweetened

Only soy and pea protein beverages are on the approved list. Almond, oat, rice, and other nut or grain beverages are not approved Wisconsin WIC items regardless of calcium fortification.

Yogurt

Yogurt is available in 32 oz containers, 4-oz 4-packs, or 4-oz 8-packs. Both regular and Greek yogurt are approved. Your WIC Shopping List specifies which fat level you receive — whole milk, low-fat, or non-fat. Only the brands and flavors listed in the Wisconsin WIC Shopping Guide qualify.

Do not purchase: organic yogurt, yogurt with artificial sweetener or stevia, yogurt with mix-in ingredients (granola, candy, or nuts), drinkable yogurts, yogurt in bottles or pouches, or dairy-free yogurt.

Cheese

Cheese packages must be 8 oz or 16 oz. Approved forms include block, shredded, sliced, cheese curds, and string cheese — string cheese must not be individually wrapped. Approved types are:

• American (block or sliced, not individually wrapped)
• Brick
• Cheddar (all varieties)
• Colby
• Monterey Jack
• Mozzarella (not fresh mozzarella)
• Muenster
• Provolone
• Swiss
• Blends of the above types (such as Cojack)

Do not purchase: packages other than 8 oz or 16 oz, crumbled or cube forms, fresh mozzarella, cheese foods or spreads, specialty or imported cheese, deli-counter cheese, smoked or herbed varieties, goat cheese, reduced-sodium, lactose-free, or organic cheese.

Eggs

Wisconsin WIC approves white eggs only, in a one-dozen carton. Both regular and cage-free white eggs are allowed, any grade.

Do not purchase: brown eggs, organic, natural, free-range, or pasture-raised eggs; specialty eggs such as Eggland's Best or other vitamin-enhanced varieties; reduced-fat or low-cholesterol eggs; pasteurized-in-shell eggs; hardboiled eggs; liquid egg products; or dried egg products. Duck and quail eggs are also not approved.

Whole Grains and Cereals

Cold cereals must be at least 8 oz and can be boxes or bags. Your WIC benefit shows a total cereal ounce amount (for example, 36 oz) — you can combine multiple packages of different brands to reach that total. Only the brands and flavors listed in the Wisconsin WIC Shopping Guide qualify. Key approved cereals include Cheerios (Original and Multi-Grain), Chex (Corn, Rice, Wheat, Blueberry, Cinnamon, Strawberry Vanilla), Frosted Mini Wheats, Oatmeal Squares, Honey Bunches of Oats (select flavors), Great Grains, Grape Nuts, Wheaties, Raisin Bran (Kellogg's, Post, Malt-O-Meal), Special K (select varieties), Kix, Corn Flakes, Rice Krispies, and Total. The Shopping Guide marks each cereal as whole grain (WG), folic acid-fortified (FA), and/or gluten free (GF). Organic cereals are not approved.

Hot cereals can be any size except individual cups — canisters and organic are not approved. Approved options include Quaker Instant Oatmeal (Plain, in packets), Cream of Wheat (Instant Regular in packets; Whole Grain), Malt-O-Meal Original Hot Wheat (plain), Co Co Wheats, Cream of Rice, and Quaker Instant Grits (Original, in packets), plus listed store brands.

Whole wheat bread products must be labeled "100% whole wheat" and come in 12–24 oz packages. Approved forms include loaves, buns, rolls, bagels, English muffins, and pitas — any brand. Do not purchase: in-store bakery bread, multigrain bread, muffins, frozen bread, sugar-free or Splenda varieties, double fiber, flaxseed, gluten-free, or organic bread.

Whole wheat pasta must be 13–16 oz, 100% whole wheat, any shape. Approved brands: Barilla, DeCecco, Essential Everyday, Food Club, Gia Russa, Good & Gather, Great Value, Heartland, Hy-Vee, Kroger, Our Family, Racconto, and Ronzoni 100% Whole Grain. Do not purchase pasta made from rice, quinoa, flax, corn, or vegetables, or organic pasta.

Oats must be 16–42 oz packages, any brand. Quick oats, old fashioned oats, and gluten-free oats are all approved. Do not purchase steel-cut oats, individual serving cups, or oats with added sugar.

Brown rice, wild rice, and quinoa are approved in 12–32 oz dry packages, any brand, including regular, instant, and boil-in-bag types. Blends of brown rice, wild rice, and quinoa are allowed. Do not purchase white rice, flavored or seasoned rice, frozen or canned rice, or store-packaged bulk rice.

Soft tortillas — white or yellow corn (8–48 oz) and 100% whole wheat — are approved from a specific brand list including Mission, Guerrero, La Banderita, Chi-Chi's, Great Value, and others listed in the Shopping Guide. Hard taco shells, low-carb tortillas, and organic varieties are not approved. Corn masa flour is approved in 32–64 oz packages from Maseca, Great Value, or Goya.

Fruits and Vegetables (Cash Value Benefit)

Wisconsin WIC participants receive a Cash Value Benefit (CVB) for fruits and vegetables. The dollar amount is shown on your WIC Shopping List and in the MyWIC app — it varies by participant category and is not a single universal figure. The CVB covers:

• Fresh: any variety of fruits, vegetables, or herbs — including fresh garlic and ginger root — whole, cut, bagged, or packaged
• Canned fruits: any size, any brand; unsweetened applesauce (with cinnamon allowed); tomato sauce, paste, and puree (with herbs or seasoning allowed)
• Canned vegetables: any plain variety; low-sodium preferred but not required
• Frozen: any variety of fruit or vegetable, including frozen bean and pea mixtures

Do not use the CVB for: nuts; salad bar items; party trays with dips or nuts; fruit baskets; dried fruit; bags of salad mix with toppings or dressing packets; canned fruit with syrup, added sugar, or artificial sweetener; pickled vegetables; creamed vegetables; or frozen items with added sugar, butter, oil, sauce, cheese, pasta, or meat. Note that canned green beans, snap beans, and sweet peas are purchased with the CVB as vegetables — they cannot be purchased with the bean/legume benefit.

Juice

Wisconsin WIC approves 100% fruit and vegetable juice in specific container sizes only. Non-refrigerated juice must be a 64 oz plastic bottle. Any brand of 100% orange, grapefruit (white, pink, or red), or pineapple juice qualifies in that size. For other 100% juice flavors, only listed brands are approved — including Mott's, Apple & Eve, Ocean Spray, Musselman's, Indian Summer, Juicy Juice, Langers, Northland, Welch's grape, Tree Top, Old Orchard, Campbell's tomato, V8 (100% vegetable), and listed store brands (Always Save, Best Choice, Essential Everyday, Food Club, Great Value, Hy-Vee, IGA, Kroger, Meijer, Our Family, and others). Refrigerated 100% orange juice must be 59–64 oz, plastic or paper container, with or without added calcium.

Do not purchase: juice cocktails, fruit beverages or drinks, sweetened juice, cider, organic juice, unpasteurized juice, low-acid juice, juice in glass bottles, or light or reduced-calorie juice. Frozen juice concentrate is not an approved Wisconsin WIC form.

Nut Butters and Legumes

Peanut butter is approved in 15.5–18 oz containers, any brand, in creamy, crunchy, natural, or old-fashioned varieties. Reduced-fat peanut butter is not approved. Do not purchase: spread varieties (such as Jif Natural, Skippy Natural, or Peter Pan Natural), flavored peanut butter, whipped, individual-serving containers, refrigerated-section varieties, or diet peanut butter (such as Fifty 50).

Almond butter and cashew butter are approved in 12–16 oz containers from these brands only: Good & Gather, Sam's Choice, and Simple Truth. No other almond or cashew butter brands are approved in Wisconsin.

Canned beans, peas, and lentils must be 15–16 oz cans (plain or low-sodium only). Dried beans, peas, and lentils must be 16 oz bags, any brand. Approved types include black beans, black-eyed peas, butter beans, garbanzo beans (chickpeas), Great Northern beans, kidney beans (red or white), lentils, lima beans, navy beans, pink beans, pinto beans, red beans, split peas, fat-free refried beans, and mixed bean varieties. Do not purchase organic, added sugars, added fats or meat (such as pork and beans), added sauces or flavors (chilies, jalapeño, lime, garlic), beans in brine, bean soups, or bulk or store-packaged dried beans.

Tofu

Tofu is available as a plant-based protein for certain participant categories. Wisconsin WIC approves tofu in 12–16 oz packages from these brands only: Azumaya, Franklin Farms, and House Foods. Silken tofu is not approved. Do not purchase tofu with added fats, sugars, or oils, or organic tofu.

Canned Fish

Canned fish is included in the food package for breastfeeding women. Approved species and varieties:

• Tuna: chunk light only — albacore, white, and yellowfin tuna are not approved
• Salmon: pink salmon only — red salmon is not approved
• Mackerel: any type except jack mackerel or king mackerel
• Sardines: any type except fillet sardines or brisling sardines

Any size cans, cups, or pouches are allowed, in any combination of species and sizes. Packed in water or oil is fine. Added sauces and flavorings — such as tomato sauce, mustard, lemon, or herbs — are allowed. Bones and skin are fine. Do not purchase: premium or gourmet brands (Blue Harbor, Fishwife, King Oscar, Mina, Reese, Safecatch, Wild Planet); organic fish; fish packaged with beans, rice, or pasta; or fish salad preparations.

Infant Formula and Infant Foods

Wisconsin WIC issues a contract infant formula — the specific brand provided by default to formula-feeding infants. WIC staff will tell you the current contract brand at your certification appointment. Switching to a non-contract formula requires documentation from your healthcare provider. Special medical formulas for infants with allergies, metabolic conditions, or other documented medical needs require a provider referral — ask your WIC nutritionist if your infant has a medical need.

Infant cereal must be 8 oz or 16 oz (regular or organic), any grain or mixed grains — except quinoa. Brands: Gerber and Earth's Best. Do not purchase: infant cereal with quinoa, added DHA, prebiotics, probiotics, added fruit, yogurt, or formula; single-serving packets; or Gerber Lil' Bits or Hearty Bits varieties.

Infant fruits and vegetables must be 4 oz jars — no squeeze pouches. Two-packs of 4 oz jars are allowed. Any plain fruit or vegetable and any mixture of fruits and/or vegetables is approved. Approved brands: Gerber, Beech-Nut, Parent's Choice, Good & Gather, Wild Harvest, and Earth's Best Organics. Do not purchase: squeeze pouches; jars with added cereal, granola, or yogurt; fruit and juice blends; puddings; cobblers; dinners, soups, stews, or casseroles; creamed vegetables; or the following brands: Happy Baby, Earth's Best (non-organics line), Beech-Nut Naturals Immunity, Tippy Toes, or Meijer brand.

Infant meats are available only for breastfed infants who are not receiving formula from WIC. Approved: 2.5 oz jars of any plain infant meat or poultry with broth or gravy. Brands: Gerber and Beech-Nut. Do not purchase infant meats with added fruit, vegetables, rice, or pasta, or meat and poultry stick products.

Using the Wisconsin MyWIC App

Download the free Wisconsin MyWIC app from the Apple App Store or Google Play. Key features include a barcode scanner to check whether a specific product is WIC-approved before putting it in your cart, a benefit balance view broken down by food category, a WIC-authorized store finder, benefit expiration reminders (WIC benefits expire every 30 days), and appointment alerts from your local WIC agency. Enable automatic updates so your approved food list stays current — Wisconsin DHS updates the list periodically.

Farmers' Market Nutrition Program

Each summer, eligible Wisconsin WIC participants can receive Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) checks to spend at WIC-approved farmers' markets and farm stands across the state. Checks can be used to buy fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables, and herbs. In 2024, the benefit was $40 per eligible participant; the amount is set each year by the program and may change — ask your local WIC office for the current season's benefit and distribution schedule. About 1,000 Wisconsin farmers participate in the program.

FMNP is available to WIC participants who are pregnant, postpartum, or have a child who is at least 9 months old. FMNP checks are issued separately from your monthly eWIC card and can only be redeemed at participating farmers' market vendors, not at grocery stores. The season runs through October 31.

Online Nutrition Education

Wisconsin WIC uses ONE — an online learning system that replaced the previous WIChealth.org platform. Participants access ONE using their Family ID (found in the Wisconsin MyWIC app under "Family Information") to complete nutrition lessons, browse recipes, and earn credit toward WIC education requirements from home at any time.