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

Moving TO Tennessee

Moving to Tennessee with WIC? Bring a Verification of Certification (VOC) from your old clinic and Tennessee Department of Health 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 Tennessee

Before leaving Tennessee, 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: Tennessee Department of Health ↗

Tennessee WIC at a glance

Program nameTennessee 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)
ProcessingWIC eligibility is usually determined at the certification appointment itself; federal rules cap the wait for that appointment at 20 days from your request.

Tennessee WIC income limits by household size (2026–27)

Tennessee 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 Tennessee

Apply with Tennessee Department of Health. Go to the official agency page ↗

Processing time: WIC eligibility is usually determined at the certification appointment itself; federal rules cap the wait for that appointment at 20 days from your request.

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

Common questions

What is the WIC income limit in Tennessee?

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 Tennessee 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 Tennessee, 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 Tennessee?

Apply with Tennessee Department of Health. Processing time: WIC eligibility is usually determined at the certification appointment itself; federal rules cap the wait for that appointment at 20 days from your request.

Who runs WIC in Tennessee?

Tennessee Department of Health. The official page and application link are cited below — always act through them.

Does Tennessee make new residents wait for WIC?

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

Where do I report that I'm leaving Tennessee?

Before you leave Tennessee, request a Verification of Certification (VOC) for each participant — Tennessee WIC directs participants to call 1-800-DIAL-WIC (1-800-342-5942) to request a VOC. Federal rules (7 CFR 246.7) require your new state to accept it, so your WIC certification moves with you. Then contact a WIC clinic in your new state to transfer.

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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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