WIC (Women, Infants & Children)

WIC is a federal funded nutrition program administered by the Illinois Department of Human Services and implemented by the City of Chicago Department of Public Health. It is a premiere nutrition education program that provides nutrition counseling and supplemental food to pregnant, post-partum and breastfeeding women, their infants and children.

TIP FOR PARENTS

Cool teething rings can help soothe your baby’s sore, swollen gums, and children’s pain medication can also help.

Who is WIC for?

Qualified participants include three categories of women and children who are low-income and at nutritional risk:

PREGNANT, BREAST-FEEDING OR POST-PARTUM WOMEN

INFANTS UP TO ONE YEAR OF AGE

CHILDREN UP TO 5 YEARS OF AGE

What Does WIC Provide?

INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING WITH REGISTERED DIETITIANS AND CERTIFIED LACTATION SPECIALISTS

ONGOING SUPPORT AND FOLLOW-UP AT LEAST EVERY THREE MONTHS

AN INTERACTIVE ONLINE NUTRITION EDUCATION PLATFORM

IDEAS FOR HEALTHY RECIPES AND SIMPLE COOKING TECHNIQUES

NUTRIENT-RICH SUPPLEMENTAL FOODS

RESOURCES FOR OTHER BREASTFEEDING, PRENATAL AND PARENTING CLASSES

INFANT FORMULA AND BABY FOODS

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How Do I Apply?

1. Contact the WIC location nearest to you by using our Resource Finder.

2. Check the WIC income guidelines to make sure you qualify.

3. Bring the following documents to your local WIC location:

ID for women/caregivers and children (see below)
Proof of income (see below)
Proof of address (see below)
If you are pregnant: Confirmation of pregnancy from your healthcare provider

NOTE: If you’re a returning client, please refer to the back of your Yellow WIC book.

Acceptable Documents for WIC

ID FOR WOMEN AND CAREGIVERS

Current Driver’s License

Government Issued ID

Passport

Tax Forms

Social Security Card

School or Work Photo ID

Birth Certificate

ID FOR CHILDREN

Birth Certificate (Legal or Hospital)

Immunization Record

Hospital ID Bracelets

Crib Card

Social Security Card

INCOME

Current check stubs (recent 30 days)

Social Security Benefits

Public Assistance payments / Unemployment compensation

Alimony or Child Support Payments

Regular Contributions from persons not living in the household

W2s

Medicaid, SNAP or TANF Notice of Decision Letter, with current dates and information

Foster parents may provide written documentation from the Department of Children and Family Services

ADDRESS

Current piece of mail (less than 60 days old)

Rental agreement

Federal- or State-issued identification that includes residence may be used with self-declaration of the applicant that the address listed is current and correct

Current Department of Child & Family Services (DCFS) foster parent placement papers

FIND A WIC LOCATION

About WIC

Watch an overview of the benefits and services WIC provides to women and children nationwide.