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North Carolina WIC: 2026–27 Income Limits and Moving In or Out

Moving TO North Carolina

Moving to North Carolina with WIC? Bring a Verification of Certification (VOC) from your old clinic and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (Community Nutrition Services Section) must honor it — you keep your certification without a new income screening until the period ends, and if the clinic has a waiting list, you go to the top of it.

Leaving North Carolina

Before leaving North Carolina, ask your WIC clinic for a Verification of Certification (VOC). Every other state is federally required to accept it, so your certification continues after the move.

Official agency: North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (Community Nutrition Services Section) ↗ (application page)

North Carolina WIC at a glance

Program nameNorth Carolina WIC
Income limit185% of the federal poverty level (the federal maximum); met automatically if you get SNAP, Medicaid, or TANF
Accepts VOC transfer cardYes (federally required)
ProcessingCertification is typically completed at the first clinic visit; NC states a clinic will contact online-referral applicants within 20 days, matching the federal 20-day standard.

North Carolina WIC income limits by household size (2026–27)

North Carolina uses the federal maximum WIC income limit, 185% of the federal poverty level. These figures apply July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027.

Household sizeYearlyMonthlyWeekly
1 person$29,526$2,461$568
2 people$40,034$3,337$770
3 people$50,542$4,212$972
4 people$61,050$5,088$1,175
5 people$71,558$5,964$1,377
6 people$82,066$6,839$1,579
7 people$92,574$7,715$1,781
8 people$103,082$8,591$1,983
Each additional person+$10,508+$876+$203

Federal source: USDA WIC Income Eligibility Guidelines 2026–27 (91 FR 23050) (published 2026-04-29)

How to apply for WIC in North Carolina

Apply with North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (Community Nutrition Services Section) online at ncdhhs.gov. Go to the official application page ↗

Processing time: Certification is typically completed at the first clinic visit; NC states a clinic will contact online-referral applicants within 20 days, matching the federal 20-day standard.

Moving with more than one benefit? The relocation checklist orders every step for your move.

Common questions

What is the WIC income limit in North Carolina?

185% of the federal poverty level: $40,034 a year for a household of two and $61,050 for a household of four, for July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027. You also meet the income test automatically if you get SNAP, Medicaid, or TANF, if your family gets TANF, or if a pregnant woman or infant in your family gets Medicaid.

Does my North Carolina WIC card work in another state?

Generally no — a WIC card works only at stores authorized by the state that issued it. Before you leave North Carolina, get a Verification of Certification (VOC) from your clinic; the new state's WIC clinic must accept it and enroll you there.

How do I apply for WIC in North Carolina?

Apply with North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (Community Nutrition Services Section) online at ncdhhs.gov. Processing time: certification is typically completed at the first clinic visit; NC states a clinic will contact online-referral applicants within 20 days, matching the federal 20-day standard.

Who runs WIC in North Carolina?

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (Community Nutrition Services Section). The official page and application link are cited below — always act through them.

Does North Carolina make new residents wait for WIC?

No state may impose a residency waiting period for WIC. You apply as soon as you live in North Carolina; eligibility is decided on North Carolina's own rules.

Where do I report that I'm leaving North Carolina?

Before you leave North Carolina, ask your local WIC agency (county health department, community health center, or community action agency) for a Verification of Certification (VOC) card. Federal rules (7 CFR 246.7) require your new state to accept it, so your certification moves with you for the rest of its period. NC WIC line: 1-844-601-6881 (call or text your zip code).

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Terms on this page: Federal poverty level (FPL) · Verification of Certification (VOC) · Certification period

Official sources

Every fact above was checked against these official pages. Last verified .

Written by Benefits Transfer Editorial Team

Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor

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