information for practice

On March 16, 2006, a Notice announcing revised WIC Income Eligibility Guidelines was published in the Federal Register. The adjusted income eligibility guidelines are used by State agencies in determining the income eligibility of persons applying to participate in the WIC Program. WIC State agencies must implement the new guidelines on July 1, 2006. However, WIC State agencies may implement the revised income guidelines at the same time States implement revised income eligibility guidelines for the Medicaid Program. On January 24, 2006, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published its annual update of the poverty guidelines. The HHS guidelines are used by a number of Federal programs, including WIC and the Medicaid Program, as the basis for determining and updating program income eligibility limits. To be eligible on the basis of income, applicants' gross income (i.e. before taxes are withheld) must fall at or below 185 percent of the U.S. Poverty Income Guidelines.