State of Illinois
Department of Human Services
Make a difference in your child's life
You may be eligible for nutrition education, breastfeeding information, and healthy foods provided by your local WIC clinic.
What is WIC?
Even if you or your family members are working, it can be hard to make ends meet. The Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC) may be able to help with the right food and advice on nutrition, health care, and immunizations.
WIC is the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children. It is administered in Illinois by the Department of Human Services (DHS) and is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
WIC is a federal nutrition program that provides:
- Nutrition Education
- Nutrition Counseling
- Breastfeeding Support
- Nutritious Foods
- Referrals to Other Services
WIC helps parents to feed their children properly during critical periods of growth and development. The combination of nutrition education, nutritious foods, and yearly health care visits strengthens families long after their WIC eligibility has ended.
Call your WIC clinic and schedule an appointment today.
To find the WIC clinic nearest you, call 1-800-323-4769 (Voice) or 1-866-295-6817 (TTY).
WIC supports every mother's choice to breastfeed.
WIC may be able to help you if you . . . .
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Have an infant or children up to age 5
- Are working with limited income or have no income
- Want to improve your family's health with good nutrition
WIC provides healthy foods such as:
- milk
- eggs
- cheese
- juice
- cereal
- dry beans or peas
- iron-fortified infant formula
Are you eligible for WIC?
Three factors must be met:
- Category - You must be:
- A pregnant woman or breastfeeding up to one year after giving birth;
- A new mother, up to six months after giving birth; or
- A parent, guardian or caretaker who has an infant or child younger than 5 years of age.
- Income
- Your annual household income must be within WIC Guidelines.
- You may have a job and still meet these guidelines.
- Medical or Nutrition Health Risk
- A screening by a WIC Certifying Health Professional must find that you have a medical or nutritional health risk such as low iron, low weight gain during pregnancy, or inadequate diet.
Any infant or child on WIC or qualifying for WIC must come to the clinic
For more than 30 years the WIC program has been helping mothers, babies and children get the foods they need for proper growth and development.
At your first visit to a WIC clinic, please bring the following with you:
- Identification
Example: Driver's license, photo ID
- Proof of pregnancy
- Proof of income
Example: your last two paycheck stubs, income tax form, Medicaid or Food Stamp ID, or All Kids' card
- Proof of residency
Example: your utility bill or recent mail
- Proof of birth
Birth certificate for your infant or child
- Proof of immunizations
Shot records
WIC does not require proof of citizenship or alien status
In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 or (202) 720-6382 (TTY). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
For more information:
Call or visit your Illinois Department of Human Services' Family Community Resource Center (FCRC).
If you have questions about any Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) program, call or visit your FCRC. We will answer your questions. If you do not know where your FCRC is or if you are unable to go there, you may call the automated helpline 24 hours a day at:
1-800-843-6154
1-800-447-6404 (TTY)
You may speak to a representative between:
8:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Monday - Friday (except state holidays)
For answers to your questions, you may also write:
Illinois Department of Human Services
Bureau of Customer and Provider Assistance
100 South Grand Avenue East
Springfield, Illinois 62762
Visit our web site at: www.dhs.state.il.us
Programs, activities and employment opportunities in the Illinois Department of Human Services are open and accessible to any individual or group without regard to age, sex, race, sexual orientation, disability, ethnic origin or religion. The department is an equal opportunity employer and practices affirmative action and reasonable accommodation programs.
DHS 4221 (R-04-07) WIC - Make A Difference
Printed by the Authority of the State of Illinois.
80,000 copies, P.O. #0454
