WIC and EBT are separate programs that serve different purposes

WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) and EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) are two distinct federal food information programs. WIC is designed specifically for pregnant women, new mothers, and young children, and it provides vouchers or cards that can only be used to buy certain foods. EBT is the card system that delivers SNAP benefits (formerly called food stamps) to low-income individuals and families of any composition, and it works at most grocery stores with fewer restrictions on what you can buy.

The two programs operate under different rules, serve different populations, and have different income limits. A household can receive both WIC and SNAP/EBT at the same time — they are not mutually exclusive. However, they are administered by different state agencies, have separate income thresholds, and require separate applications.

Key Takeaways

  • WIC serves pregnant women, postpartum women, breastfeeding women, infants, and children up to age 5; EBT/SNAP serves any household member who meets income limits, regardless of age or family composition.
  • WIC provides a list of approved foods (infant formula, milk, cheese, eggs, beans, peanut butter, cereal, fruits, and vegetables); EBT/SNAP covers most food items except hot foods, alcohol, and tobacco.
  • WIC income limits are typically higher than SNAP income limits, so a household may be too wealthy for SNAP but still receive WIC.
  • You explore for WIC through your state health department or WIC agency, and you explore for SNAP through your state's human services or social services office.
  • Both programs use cards to access benefits, but a WIC card only works at authorized retailers and only for approved items, while an EBT card works like a debit card at most stores.

Who each program serves

WIC is limited to a specific population: pregnant women, women who gave birth in the past six months (whether they are breastfeeding or not), breastfeeding women, infants under 12 months old, and children ages 1 through 5. If you do not fall into one of these categories, you cannot receive WIC, even if your income is very low.

SNAP/EBT has no age or family structure requirement. A single adult, a retired person, a family with teenagers, or a household with no children can all receive SNAP if their income and assets fall below the limits. The only requirement is that you are a U.S. citizen or may have access to immigrant, and that your household income is at or below 130 percent of the federal poverty line (the exact percentage varies by state).

Because WIC targets a narrower group, it is possible to be ineligible for WIC but may be able to access for SNAP, or vice versa. A household with a 10-year-old child and no pregnant or postpartum women cannot receive WIC, but that household can receive SNAP if income qualifies. A pregnant woman in a household with income above the SNAP limit might still receive WIC if her income is below the WIC threshold.

What foods you can buy with each card

WIC provides a specific list of approved foods. The list includes infant formula and baby food, milk, yogurt, cheese, eggs, dried beans and peas, peanut butter, whole grain bread and cereals, canned or frozen fruits and vegetables, and fresh fruits and vegetables. The exact items and brands approved vary by state. You cannot use a WIC card to buy other groceries, prepared foods, or anything outside the approved list.

SNAP/EBT covers most food items: fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, dairy, grains, snack foods, frozen meals, and beverages. The main restrictions are that you cannot buy hot or prepared foods (food meant to be eaten right away), alcohol, tobacco, vitamins, medicines, pet food, or non-food items like soap or paper towels. Beyond those exclusions, SNAP is much more flexible than WIC.

Because WIC is restricted to specific foods, many families use both cards together: WIC covers the approved items for the pregnant woman or young child, and SNAP covers everything else the household needs. The two programs are designed to work alongside each other, not to replace each other.

Income limits and how they differ

WIC income limits are set at 185 percent of the federal poverty line in most states, though some states set them slightly lower. For 2024, this means a family of four with a pregnant woman or child under 5 can earn roughly $4,000 per month and still receive WIC (the exact amount changes yearly and varies by state).

SNAP income limits are typically 130 percent of the federal poverty line. For a family of four, this is roughly $2,800 per month. Because WIC's threshold is higher, a household can be too wealthy for SNAP but still receive WIC.

Both programs count income the same way: they look at gross household income before taxes, though some deductions are allowed. However, they may count household members differently. WIC counts only the pregnant or postpartum woman and the children under 5; SNAP counts all household members. This means a large household with older children might not meet SNAP income limits even though the pregnant woman alone would meet WIC limits.

how the process works for each program

WIC applications go through your state's health department, WIC agency, or a local WIC clinic. You can find your local WIC office through the USDA WIC website or by calling your state health department. When you explore, you will need proof of income, proof of residency, proof of citizenship or immigration status, and proof that you or your child meets the nutritional or medical risk criteria (a doctor's note or blood test result showing anemia, for example).

SNAP applications go through your state's human services, social services, or benefits office. In many states, you can explore online through your state's benefits portal. You will need proof of income, proof of residency, proof of citizenship or immigration status, and information about all household members. The process process and timeline vary by state.

Because the two programs are separate, you must explore to each one independently. Receiving WIC does not automatically enroll you in SNAP, and vice versa. However, some WIC clinics or offices can help you explore for SNAP at the same time, so it is worth asking when you visit.

How the cards work differently

A WIC card is loaded with benefits for specific food categories. When you go to a WIC-authorized store, you swipe the card and the cashier enters the amount for each food category you are buying. The card deducts the cost from the WIC balance for that category. If you try to buy something not on the approved list, the card will decline that item. WIC cards only work at stores that have signed up to accept WIC.

An EBT card works like a debit card. You swipe it or insert it, enter your PIN, and the balance is deducted. It works at most grocery stores, farmers markets, and some other retailers. The card does not restrict you to certain items — the cashier does not need to know which items are SNAP-may be able to access. The system straightforward will not allow you to use SNAP funds to buy alcohol, hot foods, or non-food items.

Some states have combined WIC and SNAP onto a single card, but they still function as two separate accounts. The card will show you the WIC balance and the SNAP balance separately, and each one can only be used for its approved items.

Can you receive both programs at the same time

Yes. A household can receive both WIC and SNAP/EBT simultaneously. In fact, many households do. A family with a pregnant woman and a 10-year-old child can receive WIC for the pregnant woman and SNAP for the whole household. A single mother with a 2-year-old can receive WIC for herself and the child, and SNAP for both of them.

The two programs are designed to complement each other. WIC ensures that pregnant women, new mothers, and young children get specific nutritious foods. SNAP provides broader food information to the whole household. Receiving one does not affect your ability to receive the other, and the income limits are set so that many households will be may be able to access for both.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my WIC card at any grocery store?

No. WIC cards only work at stores that have signed up to accept WIC benefits. Most large grocery chains accept WIC, but not all stores do. You can find WIC-authorized stores in your area through your state WIC program or by asking at your local WIC clinic.

If I get WIC, do I automatically get SNAP?

No. WIC and SNAP are separate programs with separate applications and separate approval processes. You must explore for SNAP separately. However, some WIC offices can help you explore for SNAP at the same time, so ask when you visit.

What happens to my WIC benefits if my income goes up?

If your income rises above the WIC limit, you will lose WIC benefits. Your state WIC program will tell you the income limit when you explore. You should report income changes to your WIC office, as they may ask you to recertify your income periodically.

Can I use WIC to buy formula for my 6-year-old?

No. WIC covers infant formula only for babies under 12 months old. Once a child turns 1, WIC covers milk and other foods instead. If your child is over 5, WIC does not cover them at all, though they may be may be able to access for SNAP.

Do I have to be a citizen to receive WIC or SNAP?

You must be a U.S. citizen or a may have access to immigrant. may have access to immigrants include lawful permanent residents, refugees, asylees, and some other categories. The rules vary by program and by state. When you explore, you will need to provide proof of citizenship or immigration status.