Washington WIC

Washington WIC provides monthly healthy food on a WIC Card, one-on-one nutritionist appointments, breastfeeding support, and health referrals for pregnant people, new and breastfeeding parents, infants, and children under 5. More than 200 clinics operate statewide. Find one with the clinic finder, submit the online interest form, call 1-800-841-1410, or text WIC to 96859.

Who can apply is broader than the stereotype. Fathers, grandparents, and other caregivers can enroll a child under 5; foster children and pregnant teens in foster care are eligible; and working and military families frequently qualify. U.S. citizenship is not required, and the state says WIC participation is not a public charge factor and does not affect immigration status.

The income table effective July 2026 runs $2,461 a month for a household of one, $4,212 for three, $5,088 for four. A pregnant applicant counts each unborn child in household size, which raises the limit. And the shortcut: being on Apple Health, TANF, or Basic Food generally satisfies the income test outright.

The benefits are broader than milk and cereal: monthly foods including fruits and vegetables, extra foods for fully breastfeeding participants, iron-fortified formula plus jarred baby foods for non-breastfed infants, and Farmers Market Nutrition Program benefits for fresh produce in season.

Shopping runs through the WIC Card and the WICShopper app. Register the card in the app to see current benefits and scan products for approval before checkout, and shop at WIC-authorized stores, which the app locates. Stores do not have to stock every approved food, but you can ask staff to order items.

WIC adds to the grocery budget; it does not replace it. Basic Food carries the core budget and a household can hold both; WIC clinics actively refer families to Basic Food, TANF, dental care, food banks, and health coverage. A pregnancy is also the moment to apply for Apple Health.