Higher income eligibility thresholds for WIC program mean more Nebraskans might qualify

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LINCOLN — Increased income thresholds for the federal Women, Infants, and Children supplemental nutrition assistance program mean that more Nebraskans might qualify for the aid.

Income eligibility increases

The differences in Women, Infants, and Children income eligibility guidelines between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024 , compared to July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025 :

• Family of one: $26,973 → $27,861 (3.3% increase).
• Family of two: $36,482 → $37,814 (3.7% increase).
• Family of three: $45,991 → $47,767 (3.9% increase).
• Family of four: $55,500 → $57,720 (4% increase).
• Each additional family member: $9,509 → $9,953 (4.7% increase).

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services reminded Nebraska families Tuesday to check their eligibility for the federal WIC program. Nebraska follows the federal guidelines that applicants must have income at or below 185% of federal poverty guidelines, based on their household size. Income eligibility for families up to 16 increased between 3.3% and 4.5%.

This means a family of four can earn up to $57,720, an increase of $2,200 over the previous year, or 4%. A household of one can earn up to $27,861, an increase of $888, or 3.3%.

Income eligibility goes up by $9,953 per additional family member outside the first applicant. That rate is also up 4.7% from the prior year’s per-household-size increase.

“WIC is a vital public health program that provides healthy food, nutrition services, health screenings and referrals, and breastfeeding support for families in need across Nebraska,” Dr. Timothy Tesmer, Nebraska’s chief medical officer, said in a statement.

Tesmer said about 35,000 eligible Nebraskans are served each month. Nebraska WIC serves Nebraskans in every county, with 13 main agencies and 100 sites, according to DHHS.

The WIC program is funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture and offers nutritious foods, health education and breastfeeding support to women who are pregnant or just had a baby, as well as infants and children up to the age of 5. All foster children younger than 5 and pregnant teen moms in foster care are income-eligible for WIC.

Current Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Aid to Dependent Children (ADC) recipients are income-eligible for WIC. Families who don’t qualify for the other programs might still qualify for WIC.

WIC locations can be found at www.signupWIC.com .

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