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Illinois WIC: how to apply, income limits and what you get

Illinois WIC is run by the Illinois Department of Human Services. Here's how to apply, the 2026–27 income limits, and what you get, from the formula brand to the food list.

Income limits in effect July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027 · Checked October 2026

Apply for Illinois WIC

Illinois Department of Human Services

(844) 901-0962

Illinois WIC site Check your income

Short answer

You can get IllinoisWIC if you're pregnant, had a baby in the last 6 months (up to a year if you're breastfeeding), or have a child under 5, and your household's gross income is at or below $40,034 a year for two people. Count your unborn baby. If you get Medicaid, SNAP or TANF, you may already qualify on income. Call 1-844-901-0962.

How to apply for WIC in Illinois

Illinois WIC is run by the Illinois Department of Human Services. You can apply while you're pregnant; you don't need to wait for the baby.

  1. Call 1-844-901-0962

    Illinois WIC starts applications by phone or in person, not online.

  2. Go to your WIC appointment

    WIC staff set up an in-person or virtual appointment to finish your application and do a free health and nutrition check.

Sources: Illinois Department of Human Services; USDA Food and Nutrition Administration; USDA Food and Nutrition Service. Data as of October 2026.

Program
Illinois WIC
Run by
Illinois Department of Human Services
Apply online?
No, by phone or in person
Official page
Illinois WIC

Illinois WIC income limits for 2026–27

Illinois uses USDA's WIC income limits for July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027: 185% of the federal poverty guidelines. Find your household size, then the column for how often you're paid. Phones show annual and monthly; wider screens show every pay period.

48 states and DC, including IllinoisGross household income, at or below
HouseholdAnnualMonthly
1$29,526$2,461
2$40,034$3,337
3$50,542$4,212
4$61,050$5,088
5$71,558$5,964
6$82,066$6,839
7$92,574$7,715
8$103,082$8,591
Each extra person+$10,508+$876

Gross income means before taxes. A pregnant woman counts each unborn baby, so a single mom-to-be expecting one baby is a household of two. For more than 8 people, add the "each extra person" amount for each additional member.

Sources: USDA Food and Nutrition Service (Federal Register); USDA Food and Nutrition Administration. Data as of October 2026.

What WIC gives you in Illinois

Healthy foods on an eWIC card (fruits and vegetables, baby food, milk, eggs, beans, cheese and more), nutrition education and counseling, breastfeeding support, and referrals to health care and community services, at no cost. Many WIC clinics offer breastfeeding peer counselors, and some WIC clinics provide or rent breast pumps to participants who cannot get one through insurance or Medicaid.

Infant formula

Similac (Abbott)

Illinois WIC's infant formula contract is with Abbott, the maker of Similac, according to USDA. We couldn't confirm the exact products from Illinois's WIC site, so ask your WIC office which ones are on your benefits.

Benefit card

WIC EBT card

Your food benefits load onto the WIC EBT card. Pay with it at WIC-approved stores and keep your PIN private.

Approved foods

Illinois WIC food list

The list shows which brands and sizes you can buy with WIC: fruits and vegetables, milk, eggs, beans, cheese, baby food and more.
Open the food list

Sources: USDA Food and Nutrition Service; Illinois Department of Human Services; USDA Food and Nutrition Administration; USDA WIC Breastfeeding Support. Data as of October 2026.

Breastfeeding help and pumps

WIC offers breastfeeding support, and some clinics provide or rent breast pumps to participants who can't get one through insurance or Medicaid.

Does Illinois Medicaid cover a breast pump?

Why one formula brand

Each state WIC agency awards one infant formula rebate contract to the manufacturer offering the biggest discount, so WIC's standard formula depends on your state. As of July 2026, Abbott (maker of Similac) held the contract in 39 states and DC and Mead Johnson (maker of Enfamil) in 11. If your baby needs a different formula for a medical reason, ask your WIC office.

Who qualifies for WIC in Illinois

You need to live in Illinois, meet the income rule (or get Medicaid, SNAP or TANF), and be in one of these groups.

WIC groups
WhoHow long
PregnantThrough the pregnancy
Postpartum, not breastfeedingUp to 6 months after the pregnancy ends
BreastfeedingUp to the baby's first birthday
InfantsBirth to first birthday
ChildrenUp to their fifth birthday

Source: USDA Food and Nutrition Administration

Yes

On Medicaid, SNAP or TANF in Illinois?

If you or the children in your care get Medicaid, SNAP or TANF, you may already meet WIC's income rule and do not need to show income under the limit.

Source: USDAIllinois pregnancy Medicaid income limits
Yes

Does your unborn baby count?

If someone in your household is pregnant, you may increase your household size by one for each expected birth.

A pregnant woman expecting one baby in a household of two (herself and a partner) counts as three, so her limit is $50,542 a year.
Source: USDA

Questions about Illinois WIC

What is the Illinois WIC income limit for 2026–27?

From July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027, Illinois WIC uses USDA's income limits: gross household income at or below $29,526 a year for one person, $40,034 for two, $50,542 for three and $61,050 for four. That's 185% of the federal poverty guidelines. Count each unborn baby in your household size.

How do I apply for WIC in Illinois?

Call 1-844-901-0962. Staff then set up a WIC appointment, in person or virtual, to finish your application and do a free health and nutrition check.

What formula does Illinois WIC give?

Illinois WIC's formula contract is with Abbott, the maker of Similac. Ask your WIC office which products are on your benefits.

What is the Illinois WIC card called?

Illinois WIC calls it the WIC EBT card. Your food benefits load onto it, and you pay with it at WIC-approved stores.

Can I get WIC in Illinois if I'm on Medicaid?

If you or the children in your care get Medicaid, SNAP or TANF, you may already meet WIC's income rule and do not need to show income under the limit.

Can I get a breast pump through Illinois WIC?

Maybe. Some WIC clinics provide or rent breast pumps to participants who can't get one through insurance or Medicaid, so ask your WIC office. Also check whether Illinois Medicaid or your health plan covers one.

More for Illinois families

WIC in other states

Sources

  1. 1.Illinois WIC (state WIC page) Illinois Department of Human Services. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  2. 2.Illinois WIC: state agency contact USDA Food and Nutrition Administration. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  3. 3.Infant Formula Contracts in WIC: current contract holders by state agency (page updated July 30, 2026) USDA Food and Nutrition Service. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  4. 4.Information for WIC Families Illinois Department of Human Services. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  5. 5.Illinois WIC Food List (4870, revised December 2025) Illinois Department of Human Services. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  6. 6.WIC: 2026/2027 Income Eligibility Guidelines (91 FR 23050, Apr. 29, 2026) USDA Food and Nutrition Service (Federal Register). Accessed October 9, 2026.
  7. 7.WIC Eligibility USDA Food and Nutrition Administration. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  8. 8.WIC Benefits USDA Food and Nutrition Administration. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  9. 9.How to Apply for WIC (state agency contacts) USDA Food and Nutrition Administration. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  10. 10.Finding a Breast Pump USDA WIC Breastfeeding Support. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  11. 11.WIC Benefits for your Baby (standard formulas offered) Texas Health and Human Services, Texas WIC. Accessed October 9, 2026.

Something out of date? Send us a correction with the source.