Health & Benefits

Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is a federal food assistance program for families with young children and no income or low income. It is separate from Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. You can be eligible to receive both WIC and SNAP benefits.

WIC helps: 

• pregnant women, 
• new mothers for up to 6 months after giving birth, 
• breastfeeding mothers for up to 1 year after giving birth, and 
• young children under 5 years old. 

There is also an income requirement. You can learn more about WIC eligibility from the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) and the US Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service.   

The program allows families to buy infant formula and certain healthy foods using a prepaid WIC card. 

In addition to a WIC card, eligible families can receive checks to purchase fresh produce from certain farmers and farmers' markets through the Farmers' Market Nutrition Program.

WIC also provides other benefits, like immunizations, health care referrals, and nutrition and breastfeeding education. 

You can apply for WIC at your local office. You can find your nearest Illinois WIC office using the DHS office locator. For more information, call the Illinois WIC program at (217) 782-2166 or visit the DHS website.