Illinois WIC Application Information
How to Apply for WIC
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Illinois WIC is special supplemental program for women, infants, and children having low household income and facing nutrition risk, as determined by a qualified health professional. Such residents can receive food, nutrition education and advice, and health care referrals. The program ensures that residents of Illinois eat healthy meals and consume all the necessary nutrients during important development and growth phase. Program provides its benefits to pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women so that they can stay strong and help their children. Infants receive benefits during their first year while children receive these benefits for up to five years.
Illinois WIC provides special checks to help participants buy food. They can buy nutrition-rich food such as dry beans, milk, peanut butter, eggs, vegetables, fruits, and juices. You can find more information about foods that you can buy using WIC checks by clicking here. Illinois WIC also provides information on food and its nutrients so that participants can understand nutrition diet and health. With such information and education, families will be able to eat well within their resources and stay healthy.
Illinois WIC also provides information and support for breastfeeding women. The program tries to improve children's health by helping women to understand why breastfeed is important. One-on-one counseling, special classes, and breastfeeding equipment are provided to meet these ends. Breastfeeding women are given additional nutrition food so that they can stay healthy and their babies enjoy nature's best diet while growing up.
Illinois WIC participants will also receive special attention when it comes to finding health care programs. Participants are provided referrals to all applicable health care programs and social services in their area.
All the WIC benefits are accessible in Illinois through local WIC clinics. The state has more than 200 WIC clinics in different counties to help people find a clinic near their home. Many hospitals and community action centers serve as WIC clinics in Illinois in addition to health departments.
Eligibility Requirements
In order to receive Illinois WIC benefits, one has to be either:
- A pregnant woman
- A postpartum woman
- A breastfeeding woman
- An infant under the age of 1 year; or
- A child under the age of 5 years
The program requires applicants to be:
- Residents of Illinois
- Meet income guidelines for the program
- Be on nutrition risk as determined by a qualified health professional
Applicant's gross income must be within income limits defined by the WIC program. Applicants can check income limit according to household size using the chart below.
| Household Size | Annual | Monthly | Twice-Monthly | Bi-Weekly | Weekly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $25,142 | $2,096 | $1,048 | $967 | $484 |
| 2 | $33,874 | $2,823 | $1,412 | $1,303 | $652 |
| 3 | $42,606 | $3,551 | $1,776 | $1,639 | $820 |
| 4 | $51,338 | $4,279 | $2,140 | $1,975 | $988 |
| 5 | $60,070 | $5,006 | $2,503 | $2,311 | $1,156 |
| 6 | $68,802 | $5,734 | $2,867 | $2,647 | $1,324 |
| 7 | $77,534 | $6,462 | $3,231 | $2,983 | $1,492 |
| 8 | $86,266 | $7,189 | $3,595 | $3,318 | $1,659 |
| Each Additional family member add | +$8,732 | +$728 | +$364 | +$336 | +$168 |
WIC Application Instructions
In order to apply for WIC program in Illinois, you will have to contact your local WIC clinic. You can make an appointment over the phone. When going to the interview, make sure that you are taking all the necessary documents with you to speed up screening process.