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WIC Income Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for WIC in Illinois, you must meet certain income requirements. Your income must be at or below 185% of the federal poverty level (FPL). The FPL is a measure of poverty that is used by the government to determine eligibility for various programs.
The following table shows the income limits for WIC eligibility in Illinois:
| Family Size | Income Limit |
|---|---|
| 1 | $24,601 |
| 2 | $33,421 |
| 3 | $42,241 |
| 4 | $51,061 |
| 5 | $59,881 |
| 6 | $68,701 |
| 7 | $77,521 |
| 8 | $86,341 |
If your income is at or below these limits, you may be eligible for WIC. To apply for WIC, you can visit your local WIC clinic or contact the Illinois Department of Public Health at (800) 322-1115.
Steps for Applying for WIC in Illinois
The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program provides supplemental nutrition and health care services for low-income pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, as well as infants and children under the age of 5. WIC is a federally funded program administered by the Illinois Department of Public Health.
To apply for WIC in Illinois, you can:
- Call: 1-800-942-2112
- Text: 911-211 and type WIC
- Online: https://www.dph.illinois.gov/wic
Once you have applied, you will be scheduled for an appointment at a WIC clinic. At your appointment, you will be screened for eligibility and receive information about the WIC program. If you are eligible, you will be issued a WIC card that you can use to purchase WIC-approved foods at authorized grocery stores.
The following table lists the income eligibility guidelines for WIC in Illinois:
| Family Size | Gross Monthly Income |
|---|---|
| 1 | $2,542 |
| 2 | $3,411 |
| 3 | $4,281 |
| 4 | $5,150 |
| 5 | $6,020 |
| 6 | $6,889 |
| 7 | $7,758 |
| 8 | $8,628 |
In addition to income, you must also meet one of the following eligibility requirements to participate in WIC:
- You are pregnant.
- You are breastfeeding or have recently been breastfeeding.
- You have a child under the age of 5 who is at nutritional risk.
Required Documentation for WIC Illinois
To apply for WIC in Illinois, you will need to provide the following documentation:
- Proof of identity (e.g., driver’s license, state ID, passport)
- Proof of income (e.g., pay stubs, W-2 form, tax return)
- Proof of residency (e.g., utility bill, lease agreement)
- Proof of pregnancy or breastfeeding (e.g., doctor’s note, birth certificate)
- Proof of child’s age (e.g., birth certificate, medical record)
You may also need to provide additional documentation, such as proof of childcare expenses or proof of disability.
| Document Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Proof of identity | Driver’s license, state ID, passport |
| Proof of income | Pay stubs, W-2 form, tax return |
| Proof of residency | Utility bill, lease agreement |
| Proof of pregnancy or breastfeeding | Doctor’s note, birth certificate |
| Proof of child’s age | Birth certificate, medical record |
| Additional documentation | Proof of childcare expenses, proof of disability |
WIC Office Locations and Contact Information
To find the WIC office closest to you in Illinois, you can use the online WIC Clinic Directory. You can also call the Illinois WIC Hotline at 1-800-579-9427 for assistance with finding a clinic. The hotline is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM CST.
Once you have found a WIC office, you can call to make an appointment. You will need to bring the following information with you to your appointment:
- Proof of income
- Proof of identity
- Proof of residency
- Proof of pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Child’s birth certificate or immunization record
At your appointment, you will be screened for eligibility and receive a WIC card if you are eligible.
| County | Phone Number | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Cook | (312) 747-4842 | https://www.cookcountypublichealth.org/wic/ |
| DuPage | (630) 682-8250 | https://www.dupagehealth.org/wic-program/ |
| Kane | (630) 232-3393 | https://www.kanehealth.com/wic/ |
| Lake | (847) 377-8440 | https://www.lakecountyil.gov/Departments/Health/Community-Health/Nutrition/WIC-Program/ |
| McHenry | (815) 334-4510 | https://www.mchenrycountyil.gov/departments/health-department/wic-nutrition-program |
Well, there you have it, folks! If you’re looking to sign up for WIC in Illinois, I hope this guide has been helpful. Getting WIC can be a huge relief, and it’s totally worth it if you qualify. Thanks for reading, and be sure to check back again soon for more helpful tips and info!