Illinois WIC Program
Benefits, Eligibility & How to Apply
Illinois WIC Agency Contact
About the Illinois WIC Program
Ready to apply for Illinois WIC?
Call 844-901-0962 to schedule your first appointment, or see the step-by-step application guide →
Illinois WIC is administered by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) and serves families across all 102 counties through a network of local WIC clinics that handle applications, certifications, and ongoing nutrition education. IDHS has worked to expand access through outreach campaigns, secure texting for document uploads, and remote appointment options.
Illinois WIC has a genuine urban-rural split. Chicago and Cook County account for a large share of participants and have dense networks of WIC clinics. Downstate, particularly in rural southern and western Illinois, clinic access can be more limited — the state has been actively working to expand vendor presence in underserved areas.
Who Qualifies for WIC in Illinois
Illinois WIC is open to pregnant women, women who had a miscarriage or stillbirth in the last six months, breastfeeding women up to one year postpartum, postpartum women up to six months after delivery, infants, and children under age five. There is no citizenship requirement. Dads, foster parents, grandparents, and other caretakers can apply for WIC on behalf of children in their care — infants and children do not need to reside with their mother to be eligible.
If your household participates in Medicaid, SNAP, or TANF, you automatically meet WIC's income requirement. For households not in those programs, the standard threshold is 185% of the federal poverty level based on gross household income. A pregnant woman counts as two or more household members — each unborn baby adds one to the household count.
What Illinois WIC Provides
Benefits are loaded monthly onto an Illinois WIC EBT card, redeemable at authorized grocery retailers statewide. Illinois WIC food packages include cow's milk and soy milk, cheese, yogurt, tofu, eggs, legumes, whole grains, hot and cold breakfast cereals, 100% juice, peanut butter, canned fish, and baby food. Illinois includes both cow's milk and soy milk as standard milk options in its food packages.
Every participant receives a Cash Value Benefit (CVB) for fresh, frozen, or canned fruits and vegetables. Illinois also participates in the WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP), a seasonal program providing additional vouchers redeemable at participating farmers' markets — a meaningful benefit during Illinois's summer and fall growing season.
Illinois WIC participants receive two nutrition education visits per year, which can be done in person or virtually. Children must visit the WIC office annually for health screenings. Most participants attend approximately four appointments per year — initial certification, two nutrition education visits, and a mid-certification check. The initial application and annual recertification must be in person, but some interim appointments can be conducted by phone.
How to Apply for WIC in Illinois
Illinois does not have a statewide online application portal. To apply, use the Pre-Screening Tool at dhs.state.il.us to check eligibility, then use the DHS Office Locator to find your nearest WIC clinic. All applications require an in-person appointment. You can also call the Illinois state WIC office at (844) 901-0962 for assistance, or call 1-800-843-6154 to reach your local clinic. Illinois WIC has produced a WIC 101 Video Series on the IDHS YouTube channel that walks prospective participants through what to expect at their first visit.
Recertification in Illinois
Pregnant women are certified through delivery. Breastfeeding women are certified up to one year postpartum. Postpartum non-breastfeeding women are certified for six months. Children are certified annually and must visit the WIC office each year for a health screening. Your local WIC clinic will notify you when recertification is due. Annual recertification requires an in-person visit.
Illinois WIC and the Immigrant Community
Illinois WIC has a dedicated outreach program specifically designed to help limited-English-proficient immigrants and refugees access WIC and SNAP benefits. This reflects Illinois's large and diverse immigrant communities, particularly in the Chicago metropolitan area. There is no citizenship requirement for WIC — if you live in Illinois and meet the categorical and income requirements, you are eligible regardless of immigration status.
Income at or below 185% FPL. Automatic eligibility with Medicaid, SNAP, or TANF.
Monthly food benefits loaded to your WIC EBT card plus nutrition education and breastfeeding support.
Frequently Asked Questions — Illinois WIC
Illinois WIC Income Limits 2026
| Household Size | Annual Gross Income | Monthly Gross Income |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $28,953 | $2,413 |
| 2 | $39,128 | $3,261 |
| 3 | $49,303 | $4,109 |
| 4 | $59,478 | $4,957 |
| 5 | $69,653 | $5,805 |
| 6 | $79,828 | $6,653 |
| 7 | $90,003 | $7,501 |
| 8 | $100,178 | $8,349 |
| Each additional person | add $10,175 | add $848 |
| Effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. Figures are 185% of the federal poverty guidelines for the 48 contiguous states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories (including Guam). Alaska and Hawaii residents see higher income limits. Source: USDA FNS Federal Register notice 2025-03576 (90 FR 11598). | ||
Automatic Income Eligibility in Illinois
If your household participates in any of these programs, you automatically meet WIC's income requirement in Illinois:
- Medicaid
- SNAP (food stamps / food assistance)
- TANF (cash assistance)
Bring your current enrollment documentation to your WIC appointment instead of income paperwork. You do not need to be on any public assistance program to qualify — many working Illinois families qualify based on income alone.
What Counts as Income in Illinois
Illinois WIC counts all gross household income before taxes, including wages, self-employment income, Social Security, disability payments, child support, workers' compensation, unemployment benefits, and pension income. Housing assistance and tax refunds are not counted. For variable income, WIC uses a recent pay period to calculate your household figure.
No Citizenship Requirement
Illinois WIC has no citizenship requirement. If you live in Illinois and meet the categorical and income requirements, you are eligible regardless of immigration status. Illinois has a dedicated WIC and SNAP outreach program specifically designed to help limited-English-proficient immigrants and refugees access these benefits.
Income Is Not the Only Requirement
Meeting the income threshold qualifies you on one criterion, but Illinois WIC also requires a nutritional risk determination made at your free certification appointment. Nearly all applicants meet at least one nutritional risk criterion. Use the Pre-Screening Tool at dhs.state.il.us to check eligibility before contacting a local clinic.
Illinois WIC Approved Foods
Illinois WIC maintains an Authorized Food List (AFL) published by the Illinois Department of Human Services. The current food list, effective February 2026, is available at dhs.state.il.us. The APL (Approved Product List) is updated regularly throughout the year — the static PDF version may not reflect the most recent additions, so check with your local WIC clinic for the latest approved brands and package sizes.
Illinois WIC Food Package Highlights
Milk: Illinois includes both cow's milk and soy milk as standard milk options. Approved soy milk brands are Silk, 8th Continent, and Bettergoods (plain or original, 64 oz). Ask your clinic if you have questions about milk substitution rules.
Whole grains: Illinois approves whole wheat bread, corn and whole wheat tortillas, brown rice, whole wheat pasta, bulgur, and oatmeal. Your monthly whole grain benefit is measured in ounces and you can mix and match approved grain products.
Tofu: Illinois WIC includes tofu as a standard protein option in food packages — check the current authorized food list for approved brands and package sizes.
Hot and cold breakfast cereals: Both hot cereals (like oatmeal) and cold cereals meeting the WIC nutrition criteria are approved. Check the authorized food list for approved brands — Illinois specifies particular brands and package sizes for cereals.
Canned fish: Available for breastfeeding women and children on Illinois WIC. Approved varieties are chunk light tuna, pink salmon, and sardines.
Fruits and vegetables CVB: Every participant receives a monthly Cash Value Benefit (CVB) for fresh, frozen, or canned fruits and vegetables. The amount varies by participant category — check your Illinois WIC Family Shopping List for the current figure. Options without added sugar, salt, or sauces are eligible.
Farmers' Market Nutrition Program: Illinois participates in the seasonal WIC FMNP, which provides additional vouchers redeemable at participating farmers' markets for fresh, locally grown produce. Look for the WIC logo at Illinois farmers' markets during the summer and fall season.
Shopping for Illinois WIC
Illinois WIC EBT cards are accepted at authorized grocery retailers statewide. Illinois WIC is working to expand vendor presence in underserved rural areas — if you're in a rural county and having trouble finding a nearby WIC-authorized store, contact your local WIC clinic for assistance.
Online nutrition education is available through wichealth.org, which allows Illinois WIC participants to complete some nutrition education requirements remotely between clinic visits.
