The Women, Infants and Children program (WIC) provides nutrition classes, counseling, breast feeding support, and food vouchers for financially eligible pregnant and breastfeeding women, infants and children up to age five years – because good nutrition, starting with pregnancy, gives babies the best possible start in life. WIC is a special supplemental nutrition program funded by the United States Department of Agriculture.
In addition to nutritious foods, the Women, Infants and Children program also provides health screenings and referrals to other community services. The nutrition education, food vouchers and yearly health care visits strengthen families long after their eligibility has ended.
To qualify for the WIC program, you must meet the following criteria:
Eligibility requirements vary by state and are based on income, size of family, and nutritional risk. Some of the basic eligibility requirements include:
You may be required to bring proof of identity, residence, or immigration status. You may also be asked to fill out a health history form and have an ultrasound performed during pregnancy.
The food assistance offered by the Women, Infants and Children program includes vouchers for specific, nutritious foods like milk, eggs, cheese, fruits, vegetables, cereals, and juice. The program is a vital resource for many families, and it can provide much-needed support during difficult times.
Women, infants, and children are often at high risk of health problems, such as malnutrition and obesity. The Women, Infants and Children program provides nutrition education, breastfeeding support, food vouchers, and health screenings to help low-income women and children live healthier lives.
The Women, Infants and Children program has been serving Illinois families since 1995. The Better Birth Outcomes (BBO) program offers a standardized prenatal education curriculum for high-risk pregnant women and case management including a home visit every trimester of the client’s active enrollment in BBO and monthly engagement with a BBO Case Manager for continued education and referrals (housing, car seat, treatment center).
The Women, Infants and Children Program has been awarded the USDA Loving Support Award of Excellence in 2014 and 2015. The awards recognize local WIC Chicago office agencies that are demonstrating exemplary breastfeeding promotion and support practices to increase breastfeeding initiation, exclusivity, and duration rates among participants.