California WIC Income Limits 2026-27: Full Chart

Every state's chart is on our WIC income limits page, and the WIC program guide covers foods, formula and breastfeeding support. This page is the California version.

California WIC Income Chart, May 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027

The California WIC limit for a family of four is $5,088 a month. California shows the figures inside its eligibility assessment, one household size at a time; here they are in one table.

Source: California Department of Public Health, California WIC eligibility assessment (opens in a new tab), 185% of poverty, effective May 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027, checked November 10, 2026.

Why May 1 and not July 1? USDA's Federal Register notice (opens in a new tab) lets a state put the new WIC guidelines in place early, at the same time it updates Medicaid income guidelines, as long as it's no later than July 1, 2026. California's page shows a May 1 start, so the 2026-27 lines applied two months before most states switched.

According to USDA, every figure is the 2026 poverty guideline times 1.85, rounded up. California uses the federal maximum. Income means gross income for everyone in the household, before taxes and deductions.

How California WIC Counts a Household

California's eligibility page has two counting rules worth reading closely.

Expected babies. "A pregnant applicant can count an expected birth/s in their household size if the applicant does not meet the income eligibility requirements at the current household size." In practice, the larger size is used whenever it helps, matching federal rule 7 CFR 246.7(d)(2)(vii) (opens in a new tab). Twins count as two.

Foster children. "Each foster child is counted as a family of one." A foster child under 5 is judged on the child's own income, which is usually none, so the foster family's paychecks don't decide the child's WIC eligibility.

Some California households and their monthly lines:

• A pregnant woman living with her mother and sister who share expenses: 4 people with the baby, $5,088.
• A father raising a 2-year-old alone: 2 people, $3,337. California's assessment specifically includes children "cared for by fathers or grandparents."
• A couple with a newborn and a 4-year-old: 4 people, $5,088.

A California Example: Seasonal Farm Work in Fresno County

California WIC's how-to-apply page says working families and the families of farm workers are welcome to apply. For example, a household in Fresno County: a mother who's 5 months pregnant, a father who works harvest season and their 3-year-old, who's enrolled in Medi-Cal. Specifically, the father grosses $1,300 a week for 26 weeks of harvest and about $500 a week the rest of the year. The mother isn't on Medi-Cal yet.

A single harvest-season paycheck looks too high. But federal rule 7 CFR 246.7(d)(2)(i) (opens in a new tab) lets the clinic use income over the past 12 months or the current rate, whichever better reflects the family's situation, and for seasonal work the yearly figure is usually the fairer one. On that basis the family is $14,250 under the line, so the mother qualifies.

The 3-year-old's Medi-Cal makes the child income-eligible on its own. It doesn't automatically cover the mother, though: the federal family-wide rule applies when a pregnant woman or an infant has Medicaid. If the mother enrolls in pregnancy Medi-Cal, which our California Medicaid income limits page puts at 213% of poverty, the whole family would be covered on income through her.

Medi-Cal, CalFresh, CalWORKs and FDPIR

California lists four programs in its eligibility assessment: Medi-Cal, CalFresh, CalWORKs and FDPIR. Picking the option for current enrollment in any of them returns "you may be eligible" without a chart check.

The first three come from federal rule 7 CFR 246.7(d)(2)(vi) (opens in a new tab), which says a state "shall accept" them. The same rule lets a state add other programs that check income at or below WIC's line; California lists FDPIR.

Bring the card. California's how-to-apply page says you can use an active Medi-Cal card as proof of income. Medi-Cal's lines for children (266% of poverty) and pregnancy (213%) are well above WIC's 185%, according to our California Medicaid page, so for many families over the WIC chart, applying for Medi-Cal first works better than arguing over the WIC chart.

California's Other WIC Requirements

California's how-to-apply page says you may qualify if you:

1. Are pregnant, breastfeeding or chestfeeding, or had a baby or a pregnancy loss in the last six months, or have or care for a child under 5. Under federal rules, a breastfeeding parent can stay on until the baby's first birthday.
2. Have low-to-medium income or receive Medi-Cal, CalWORKs or CalFresh.
3. Live in California. The assessment also has an option for people planning to move here and for families transferring WIC from another state.

A nutrition assessment is done for each qualifying family member at the first appointment, and that's where nutrition risk is found.

Military families get their own page. California WIC says families may qualify even if they receive BAH or BAS, and warns that its online calculator "does not reflect all income factors for military families." Active duty, Guard and Reserve members, spouses and veterans can all apply, in person or by phone or video.

How to Apply for WIC in California

There are 3 steps on the California WIC site:

1. Find a WIC office. Search by city or ZIP on the How Can I Get WIC? page (opens in a new tab), or call 1-800-852-5770, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
2. Gather documents. Staff may ask for ID for yourself and children under 5, proof of address (ID, paycheck with address, rent document or utility bill), proof of household income (paycheck, tax return, letter from employer or Medi-Cal card), proof of pregnancy and medical forms from your health care provider. They may ask you to bring the infant or child who's enrolling.
3. Go to the first appointment. A WIC counselor decides eligibility, completes the nutrition assessment and loads food benefits onto your California WIC Card, which you can use right away.

The California WIC Card and app. According to California's WIC Card and App page (opens in a new tab), one card holds the whole family's benefits, you set a 4-digit PIN before shopping, and you have 30 days to use each month's benefits. Benefits aren't lost if the card is lost or damaged; call 1-844-4MY-FAMILY (1-844-469-3264), 24 hours a day, to report it, change the PIN or check a balance. The free California WIC App shows your food balance and expiration date, upcoming appointments, nearby WIC offices and grocers, and lets you scan foods in the store.

Fruits and vegetables. California's Fruits and Vegetables Benefit page (opens in a new tab), updated October 26, 2026, lists the amounts effective October 2026:

The benefit covers fresh, frozen, canned and dried fruits and vegetables of any brand, organic included, and it works with farmers who accept the WIC Card. Other foods include whole grains, milk, eggs, bread, cereal, juice, peanut butter, soy milk and tofu.

Grantsights Analysis: California Runs the Largest WIC Program

According to USDA, California averaged 1,003,810 WIC participants a month in FY2025, the only state above a million. Grantsights analysis of USDA's WIC participation and per-person benefit tables for FY2021 to FY2025 puts that in context:

About 1 in 7 WIC participants in the country lives in California. The state's caseload grew a little more than half as fast as WIC overall, but its average monthly food benefit per person, $69.35, was $4.46 above the national average in FY2025. Multiplying the two USDA columns, Grantsights estimates California WIC families bought roughly $835 million in WIC foods in FY2025. That's food value worth claiming: a 30-day window per month means benefits left on the card at day 31 are gone.

What California WIC Doesn't Tell You

Grantsights compared the MyFamily.WIC.ca.gov (opens in a new tab) pages with USDA's notice and the federal rules. Five gaps:

1. The size-9 row is slightly off. California's assessment shows $9,467 a month, $4,743 twice a month, $4,370 biweekly and $2,186 weekly for nine people. USDA's 2026-27 table for nine lists $9,466, $4,733, $4,369 and $2,185. The twice-monthly figure looks like a typo ($10 too high). The annual figure, $113,590, matches.
2. A child's Medi-Cal doesn't cover the parent. The family-wide rule applies only when a pregnant woman or infant has Medi-Cal. A 3-year-old's Medi-Cal card makes that child income-eligible, not the mother.
3. MCAP isn't on the list. The Medi-Cal Access Program for pregnancy above 213% isn't named in WIC's assessment. If that's your coverage, ask the WIC office whether it counts.
4. "Slightly above" may still work. The assessment mentions "some exceptions to the standard income guidelines" without naming them, and Grantsights didn't find a list on the site. Federal rules that can change the math include the 12-month look-back for seasonal work and current-income treatment after a job loss, so call before ruling yourself out.
5. Federal budget news doesn't stop WIC appointments. The MyFamily site posted that WIC offices remain open and enrolling under the continuing resolution passed September 2, 2026, which runs through December 11, 2026.

Common Mistakes and Scam Warnings in California

The most common mistake is checking one paycheck from a busy month against the weekly or monthly column. Seasonal and gig workers should ask the office to look at 12 months.

Other California mistakes:

• Not applying during pregnancy. The expected baby raises the line, and families often underestimate how early they could have started.
• Assuming no Medi-Cal means no WIC. Medi-Cal isn't required; the chart is a separate path.
• Letting the 30-day window lapse. Check the expiration date in the app.
• Sharing the PIN. Anyone with the card and PIN can spend the family's food.

Watch out for scams. California WIC is free, and no WIC office charges to apply. Nobody legitimate texts you asking for your California WIC Card number or PIN. Report suspected fraud through CDPH's Report WIC Fraud page (opens in a new tab), and see the FTC's guide to government grant scams (opens in a new tab) for "free money" pitches that ask for a fee.

If WIC turns out not to fit, Grantsights' free eligibility checker can list other official programs for your household. It doesn't decide eligibility or pay benefits.

FAQ: California WIC Income Limits

What is the WIC income limit in California for 2026-27?

California WIC lists 185% of the federal poverty level, effective May 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027. A household of four can earn up to $61,050 a year or $5,088 a month, and each extra person adds $10,508 a year.

Do Medi-Cal or CalFresh qualify me for WIC in California?

Yes, for income. California WIC accepts Medi-Cal, CalFresh, CalWORKs and FDPIR, and an active Medi-Cal card works as proof of income.

Can a pregnant woman count her baby for California WIC?

Yes. California lets a pregnant applicant count expected births in household size when that helps her qualify. Twins add two.

What is the California WIC phone number?

1-800-852-5770, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For card help, call 1-844-4MY-FAMILY (1-844-469-3264), any time.

How much is the California WIC fruit and vegetable benefit?

Effective October 2026: $27 a month for children 1 to 5, $48 for pregnant and postpartum participants, $53 for breastfeeding participants and $78 for someone breastfeeding more than one infant.

Can military families get California WIC if they receive BAH?

Often, yes. California WIC says families may still qualify with BAH or BAS, so contact a local WIC agency.

Sources

1. California Department of Public Health, California WIC eligibility assessment (opens in a new tab), effective May 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027, checked November 10, 2026.
2. California Department of Public Health, How Can I Get WIC? (opens in a new tab), checked November 10, 2026.
3. California Department of Public Health, WIC Card and App (opens in a new tab).
4. California Department of Public Health, Fruits and Vegetables Benefit (opens in a new tab), updated October 26, 2026.
5. California Department of Public Health, WIC for Military Families (opens in a new tab).
6. USDA, WIC Income Eligibility Guidelines 2026-2027 (opens in a new tab), including households larger than 8.
7. Federal Register, 2026/2027 WIC Income Eligibility Guidelines (opens in a new tab), April 29, 2026, implementation timing.
8. eCFR, 7 CFR 246.7 (opens in a new tab), income and adjunctive eligibility rules.
9. USDA, WIC data tables (opens in a new tab), California participation and benefit per person, FY2021 to FY2025, data as of October 9, 2026.
10. California Department of Public Health, Report WIC Fraud (opens in a new tab).
11. Federal Trade Commission, Government grant scams (opens in a new tab).