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North Carolina WIC: how to apply, income limits and what you get

North Carolina WIC is run by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. Here's how to apply, the 2026–27 income limits, and what you get, from the formula brand to the food list.

Income limits in effect July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027 · Checked October 2026

Apply for North Carolina WIC

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services

(844) 601-6881

Start online Check your income

Short answer

You can get North CarolinaWIC if you're pregnant, had a baby in the last 6 months (up to a year if you're breastfeeding), or have a child under 5, and your household's gross income is at or below $40,034 a year for two people. Count your unborn baby. If you get Medicaid, SNAP or TANF, you may already qualify on income. Start online or call 1-844-601-6881.

How to apply for WIC in North Carolina

North Carolina WIC is run by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. You can apply while you're pregnant; you don't need to wait for the baby.

  1. Fill out the online form

    North Carolina WIC takes an online form to start. Open the form

  2. Or call 1-844-601-6881

    WIC staff can start your application by phone.

  3. Go to your WIC appointment

    WIC staff set up an in-person or virtual appointment to finish your application and do a free health and nutrition check.

Sources: North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services; USDA Food and Nutrition Administration; USDA Food and Nutrition Service. Data as of October 2026.

Program
North Carolina WIC
Run by
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
Apply online?
Yes, an online form starts your application
Official page
North Carolina WIC

Online, you can submit a referral form; a WIC clinic contacts you within 20 days. The phone number is NC's statewide WIC line.

North Carolina WIC income limits for 2026–27

North Carolina uses USDA's WIC income limits for July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027: 185% of the federal poverty guidelines. Find your household size, then the column for how often you're paid. Phones show annual and monthly; wider screens show every pay period.

48 states and DC, including North CarolinaGross household income, at or below
HouseholdAnnualMonthly
1$29,526$2,461
2$40,034$3,337
3$50,542$4,212
4$61,050$5,088
5$71,558$5,964
6$82,066$6,839
7$92,574$7,715
8$103,082$8,591
Each extra person+$10,508+$876

Gross income means before taxes. A pregnant woman counts each unborn baby, so a single mom-to-be expecting one baby is a household of two. For more than 8 people, add the "each extra person" amount for each additional member.

Sources: USDA Food and Nutrition Service (Federal Register); USDA Food and Nutrition Administration. Data as of October 2026.

What WIC gives you in North Carolina

Healthy foods on an eWIC card (fruits and vegetables, baby food, milk, eggs, beans, cheese and more), nutrition education and counseling, breastfeeding support, and referrals to health care and community services, at no cost. Many WIC clinics offer breastfeeding peer counselors, and some WIC clinics provide or rent breast pumps to participants who cannot get one through insurance or Medicaid.

Infant formula

Similac (Abbott)

North Carolina WIC's infant formula contract is with Abbott, the maker of Similac, according to USDA. We couldn't confirm the exact products from North Carolina's WIC site, so ask your WIC office which ones are on your benefits.

Benefit card

NC eWIC card

Your food benefits load onto the NC eWIC card. Pay with it at WIC-approved stores and keep your PIN private.

Approved foods

North Carolina WIC food list

The list shows which brands and sizes you can buy with WIC: fruits and vegetables, milk, eggs, beans, cheese, baby food and more.
Open the food list

Sources: USDA Food and Nutrition Service; North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services; USDA Food and Nutrition Administration; USDA WIC Breastfeeding Support. Data as of October 2026.

Breastfeeding help and pumps

WIC offers breastfeeding support, and some clinics provide or rent breast pumps to participants who can't get one through insurance or Medicaid.

Does North Carolina Medicaid cover a breast pump?

Why one formula brand

Each state WIC agency awards one infant formula rebate contract to the manufacturer offering the biggest discount, so WIC's standard formula depends on your state. As of July 2026, Abbott (maker of Similac) held the contract in 39 states and DC and Mead Johnson (maker of Enfamil) in 11. If your baby needs a different formula for a medical reason, ask your WIC office.

Who qualifies for WIC in North Carolina

You need to live in North Carolina, meet the income rule (or get Medicaid, SNAP or TANF), and be in one of these groups.

WIC groups
WhoHow long
PregnantThrough the pregnancy
Postpartum, not breastfeedingUp to 6 months after the pregnancy ends
BreastfeedingUp to the baby's first birthday
InfantsBirth to first birthday
ChildrenUp to their fifth birthday

Source: USDA Food and Nutrition Administration

Yes

On Medicaid, SNAP or TANF in North Carolina?

If you or the children in your care get Medicaid, SNAP or TANF, you may already meet WIC's income rule and do not need to show income under the limit.

Source: USDANorth Carolina pregnancy Medicaid income limits
Yes

Does your unborn baby count?

If someone in your household is pregnant, you may increase your household size by one for each expected birth.

A pregnant woman expecting one baby in a household of two (herself and a partner) counts as three, so her limit is $50,542 a year.
Source: USDA

Questions about North Carolina WIC

What is the North Carolina WIC income limit for 2026–27?

From July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027, North Carolina WIC uses USDA's income limits: gross household income at or below $29,526 a year for one person, $40,034 for two, $50,542 for three and $61,050 for four. That's 185% of the federal poverty guidelines. Count each unborn baby in your household size.

How do I apply for WIC in North Carolina?

Fill out North Carolina WIC's online form or call 1-844-601-6881. Staff then set up a WIC appointment, in person or virtual, to finish your application and do a free health and nutrition check.

What formula does North Carolina WIC give?

North Carolina WIC's formula contract is with Abbott, the maker of Similac. Ask your WIC office which products are on your benefits.

What is the North Carolina WIC card called?

North Carolina WIC calls it the NC eWIC card. Your food benefits load onto it, and you pay with it at WIC-approved stores.

Can I get WIC in North Carolina if I'm on Medicaid?

If you or the children in your care get Medicaid, SNAP or TANF, you may already meet WIC's income rule and do not need to show income under the limit.

Can I get a breast pump through North Carolina WIC?

Maybe. Some WIC clinics provide or rent breast pumps to participants who can't get one through insurance or Medicaid, so ask your WIC office. Also check whether North Carolina Medicaid or your health plan covers one.

More for North Carolina families

WIC in other states

Sources

  1. 1.North Carolina WIC (state WIC page) North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  2. 2.North Carolina WIC: state agency contact USDA Food and Nutrition Administration. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  3. 3.North Carolina WIC: online application or interest form North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  4. 4.Infant Formula Contracts in WIC: current contract holders by state agency (page updated July 30, 2026) USDA Food and Nutrition Service. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  5. 5.My WIC North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  6. 6.WIC Participant Guide to Food Package Updates (English) North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  7. 7.WIC: 2026/2027 Income Eligibility Guidelines (91 FR 23050, Apr. 29, 2026) USDA Food and Nutrition Service (Federal Register). Accessed October 9, 2026.
  8. 8.WIC Eligibility USDA Food and Nutrition Administration. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  9. 9.WIC Benefits USDA Food and Nutrition Administration. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  10. 10.How to Apply for WIC (state agency contacts) USDA Food and Nutrition Administration. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  11. 11.Finding a Breast Pump USDA WIC Breastfeeding Support. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  12. 12.WIC Benefits for your Baby (standard formulas offered) Texas Health and Human Services, Texas WIC. Accessed October 9, 2026.

Something out of date? Send us a correction with the source.