Illinois WIC
Last updated August 2026
Illinois WIC pays for healthy food, breastfeeding support, and nutrition education for pregnant and postpartum women, babies, and children under 5, foster children included. Benefits load onto a WIC EBT card for specific healthy foods. One address note: Illinois WIC lives at IDHS (dhs.state.il.us), not the public health department; old health-department links are dead.
The income limits, current July 2026 through June 2027, monthly: $2,461 for one person, $3,337 for two, $4,212 for three, $5,088 for four. Recent pregnancy loss also qualifies for up to 6 months.
Apply in person: use the DHS Office Locator to find your local WIC office, call ahead for an appointment, and ask what documents to bring. The State WIC Office answers at (844) 901-0962.
The tech that helps at the store: the BNFT app (Android and Apple) manages your WIC EBT benefits, and illinoiswicfoods.org is the mobile guide to approved foods, with a searchable list of authorized stores.
Extras worth asking about: the Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program pairs you with parents who breastfed, and the summer Farmers' Market Nutrition Program adds fresh produce buying power. WIC stacks on top of SNAP; hold both.
Phone 1-844-901-0962
Help available in English and Spanish.
Updated August 2026 Program details can change — confirm with the program directly.
Who qualifies
- Pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding people, infants, and children under 5 who live in Illinois
- Income-qualified and with a medical or nutritional need; families on Medicaid, SNAP, or TANF generally meet the income test
You may qualify. The program makes the final decision.
How to apply
- 1
Find your local WIC office with the DHS Office Locator, or call the State WIC Office at (844) 901-0962.
- 2
Book an appointment and ask what documents to bring.
- 3
Do the certification visit; benefits get set up there if you qualify, on a WIC EBT card.
- 4
Download the BNFT app to manage benefits, and use illinoiswicfoods.org at the store to check approved items.
- 5
Ask about the Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program and summer Farmers' Market benefits.
- 6
Keep follow-up visits to stay certified until your youngest turns 5.
What the application looks like
Common questions
What is the income limit for WIC in Illinois?
Monthly, from July 2026: $2,461 for one person, $3,337 for two, $4,212 for three, $5,088 for four, plus $876 each additional member.
How do I apply for Illinois WIC?
In person at your local WIC office; find it with the DHS Office Locator and call for an appointment. The State WIC Office is at (844) 901-0962. Note WIC runs through IDHS, not the health department.
Who qualifies?
Pregnant and postpartum women, women with a pregnancy loss in the last 6 months, and infants and children under 5, foster children included.
Is there an Illinois WIC app?
Two tools: the BNFT app manages your WIC EBT benefits, and illinoiswicfoods.org is the mobile approved-foods guide. There is no app called 'ILWIC'.
Can I get WIC and SNAP together?
They are separate programs serving different needs, and families commonly hold both; ask your WIC office how they coordinate with your SNAP case.
Not sure this is the right program for your situation?
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