WIC 2021-22 Income Eligibility Guidelines

This policy memorandum transmits the 2021-22 Income Eligibility Guidelines (IEGs) for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) that were published in the Federal Register on March 5, 2021, at 86 FR 12903.

Section 17(d)(2)(A) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966, as amended (42 USC 1786(d)(2)(A)), requires the establishment of income criteria to be used with nutritional risk criteria in determining a person’s eligibility for participation in the WIC program. Income eligibility for the WIC program is determined using income standards as prescribed under section 9(b) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 USC 1758(b)). The income limit is 185 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, as adjusted. Section 9(b) also requires that these guidelines be revised annually to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index. The annual revision for 2021 was published by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) at 86 FR 7732, on Feb. 1, 2021. In accordance with the established income guidance, the revised WIC income eligibility guidelines are to be used in conjunction with the WIC regulations at 7 CFR 246.7(d).

WIC state agencies may implement the revised IEGs concurrently with the implementation of IEGs under the Medicaid Program. State agencies that do not coordinate implementation with the Medicaid program must implement the revised WIC IEGs no later than July 1, 2021.

WIC state agencies must ensure that Management Information Systems incorporate the 2021-22 changes accordingly.

A supplemental chart is attached for state agencies to use in determining the annual, monthly, twice-monthly, biweekly and weekly income limits. There is also a chart for families greater than eight.

SARAH WIDOR
Director
Supplemental Food Programs Division

Attachment

• Income Eligibility Guidelines