Free WIC in San Antonio (2026): Who Qualifies, What You Get & How to Apply

If you are pregnant, just had a baby, or have a little one under 5, WIC can put healthy groceries on your table every month — plus infant formula when you need it, breastfeeding help, and one-on-one nutrition support. It is one of the most underused benefits in San Antonio, and many working families qualify without realizing it.

Here is the part most people miss: if anyone in your household already gets Medicaid, SNAP, or TANF, you already meet WIC’s income requirement. You do not need to dig out pay stubs for that part — bring that program’s card or paperwork to your appointment. And you do not have to be a U.S. citizen to qualify. You do need to live in Texas.

Who may qualify for WIC in Texas

You need to fit one of these groups, meet the income limit, and complete a short nutrition screening at your appointment:

• Pregnant during pregnancy and up to 6 weeks after the baby is born or the pregnancy ends
• Postpartum — up to 6 months after birth if not breastfeeding, or up to 1 year if breastfeeding
• Infants and children up to their 5th birthday

Dads, grandparents, guardians, and foster parents can apply on a child’s behalf. The screening is free and simple — height, weight, and questions about eating habits — and it happens at your first WIC appointment.

Texas WIC income limits (gross, 2026–2027)

Texas WIC uses gross household income. A pregnant woman’s household size goes up by the number of babies she is expecting, which raises her limit.

• Household of 1: up to $2,461 a month
• Household of 2: up to $3,337 a month
• Household of 3: up to $4,212 a month
• Household of 4: up to $5,088 a month
• Household of 5: up to $5,964 a month
• Household of 6: up to $6,839 a month

For more than 6 people, or if your pay changes week to week, call Texas WIC at 1-800-942-3678. Income can also be checked on a weekly or biweekly basis. Example: a mom pregnant with her first child counts as a household of 2, so the $3,337-a-month limit applies even before the baby arrives.

What you get each month

WIC is not cash. It is a monthly package of specific healthy foods loaded onto a Texas WIC Card you use at the grocery store, matched to who it is for:

• Fruits and vegetables — fresh, frozen, or canned
• Milk, cheese, eggs, and yogurt
• Whole grains — cereal, bread, tortillas, brown rice, and oatmeal
• Peanut butter, beans, and canned fish
• Iron-fortified infant formula for babies who are not breastfed, plus baby food and infant cereal

You also get free nutrition counseling, breastfeeding coaching and peer support, and referrals to prenatal care, shots, Medicaid, and SNAP. All WIC services are free for families who qualify — help, applying, and guidance are free. That does not mean all of your groceries are free; WIC covers the specific foods in your package.

How to apply for WIC in San Antonio

Start online: Go to TexasWIC.org and start your application. After you submit it, someone from your local WIC office will contact you to set up your first appointment.

Or call: Call 1-800-942-3678 to get started and set up an appointment, or use the WIC office locator on TexasWIC.org to find a clinic near you in San Antonio.

In San Antonio, WIC is run locally through San Antonio Metro Health and partner clinics across the city, so you can usually find a location close to home or work.

What to bring to your appointment

• Identification for yourself
• Proof of income — recent pay stubs, or your Medicaid card, SNAP Lone Star Card, or TANF paperwork, which already proves you meet the income rule
• Proof you live in Texas — a utility bill, lease, or mail with your name and address
• Your child’s immunization record, if you have one

Timing — no deadline, but do not wait

There is no application deadline. WIC enrolls year-round. But benefits start when you are certified, so the sooner you apply, the sooner your monthly food package begins. Children stay eligible until their 5th birthday, with check-ins along the way.

Not sure what you qualify for?

WIC is only one piece. You may also have potential matches for SNAP, Medicaid, CHIP, free diapers, and other help. Our free checker can point you to the programs that fit your household.

Check what you may qualify for — free

Apply for Me helps you find potential matches and understand the steps. We do not submit government applications or complete paperwork for you — your WIC application still goes through Texas WIC.

Helpful links & phone numbers

• Texas WIC — apply online: TexasWIC.org — start an application and find a WIC office near you
• Texas WIC — by phone: 1-800-942-3678 — start an application, check income questions, and book an appointment
• San Antonio Metro Health WIC: 210-207-4906 — local WIC clinics in San Antonio
• Texas Health and Human Services: hhs.texas.gov — SNAP, Medicaid, TANF, and CHIP
• 2-1-1 Texas: Dial 2-1-1 or 1-877-541-7905 — free, confidential help finding local programs, 24/7

Related guides

• How to Apply for SNAP in San Antonio — SNAP participation also meets WIC’s income test
• Free Food Pantries in San Antonio — groceries while your WIC application is being processed
• Free Diapers in San Antonio — where to get diapers for babies and toddlers
• Free Prenatal Care in San Antonio — CHIP Perinatal and low-cost clinics during pregnancy

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to be a U.S. citizen to get WIC?

No. Texas WIC does not require U.S. citizenship. You do need to live in Texas and meet the category and income rules.

I am working — can I still get WIC?

Yes. Many WIC families have a working parent. The limits above are gross monthly income, and many households with young kids fall under them — especially when a pregnancy raises your household size.

What if I already get SNAP or Medicaid?

Then you already meet WIC’s income eligibility guidelines, and Texas WIC says your application can be processed faster. Bring proof of that program to your appointment.

Can a dad, grandparent, or foster parent apply?

Yes. Any parent, guardian, grandparent, or foster parent caring for an eligible infant or child under 5 can apply on the child’s behalf.