How to apply for Illinois WIC
View the steps to apply for the Illinois WIC program. The Illinois Department of Human Services administrates WIC in the state including the application process. View the steps below to see if you qualify, and if so, what you need to do to apply. If you still have questions or issues about the application process, you can contact the Illinois WIC office for assistance.
WIC Prescreening
Before you start the Illinois WIC application process, you can use the online prescreening tool to see if you qualify. Please note, this tool is not considered an application. You will still need to follow the application process for this state. It takes about 15 minutes to complete the prescreening tool.
Illinois WIC eligibility
The following people are eligible for Illinois WIC benefits:
- Pregnant, breastfeeding or just had a baby
- Infants and Children under 5 years old (including foster children)
- Families with a low to medium income
What does the WIC program offer
For qualified participants, the Illinois WIC program offers:
- Special checks to buy healthy foods
- Information about nutrition and health to help you and your family
- Information and help about breastfeeding
- Help in finding health care and other services in your area
Applying for WIC in Illinois
To start the application process for Idaho WIC benefits you need to contact your local WIC clinic and schedule an appointment. When talking to the staff, ask them what papers or documents you need to bring with you to your appointment. At your appointment, the staff will check to see if you and your family qualify. If you still have questions about the process, please contact the Illinois WIC Office.
How long can I be on WIC?
Illinois WIC is considered to be a short-term program. A person receiving benefits "graduates" once their certification period ends. The certification period is the length of time a person is eligible to receive IL WIC benefits. Depending on the applicant's condition, either pregnant, postpartum, breastfeeding, or an infant/child, an eligible person will usually receive these benefits for up to 6 months to a year. Once they have reached the end of that time, they must apply for Illinois WIC again if they want to continue using it.
WIC waiting list
In some cases, if the state agency does not have enough money to serve everyone who needs WIC, they must keep a list called a waiting list. This contains a list of individuals who want to apply for the Illinois WIC program and are likely to be served. The state agency will then use a special system, called a Priority System, that will allow them to determine who is eligible to receive IL WIC benefits next once more people can be served.
The reason for this priority system is to make sure that services and benefits are available right away to participants who need it most, which are people with serious health conditions such as anemia (low blood levels), history of pregnancy problems or being underweight.
Planning to move
Anyone currently on Illinois WIC that is planning to move, including out of state, can continue receiving WIC benefits until their certification period expires. In order to do that, they must provide proof that they are receiving benefits when they move to their new location. In most cases the staff will provide you with a special card called the Verification of Certification Card (VOC).
To obtain proof, contact your current IL WIC clinic to let them know your plans. When you move, you will need to call your local WIC clinic near your new location and schedule an appointment so you can show them the proof. Make sure to take the special card with you to the appointment to show proof.
