11/12/2025
WIC and SNAP are both U.S. federal nutrition assistance programs, but they differ in who they serve, what benefits they provide, and how the benefits can be used. In Iowa, about 62,000 people use the WIC program, and around 130,000 households use SNAP.
SNAP:
▪ Helps individuals and families with low income buy groceries.
▪ Benefits are loaded monthly onto an EBT card that works like a debit card.
▪ You can buy most foods — fruits, veggies, meats, dairy, bread, and more — at most grocery stores and farmers' markets.
WIC:
▪ Supports pregnant or postpartum women, infants, and children under age 5.
▪ Offers specific healthy foods that supply essential nutrients for health. These foods are designed to meet the nutrient needs based on an individual's nutritional risk.
▪ Also offers nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and health referrals.
For additional information, please call your local agency or visit https://hhs.iowa.gov/wic and https://hhs.iowa.gov/snap. Iowa HHS will continue to provide updates on the government shutdown when new information is available.
