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Request a WIC Appointment
Submit a form to request a WIC appointment at our Aurora Highland location.
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Illinois WIC Program at VNA
The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program at VNA Health Care is a federally-funded food assistance program designed to help pregnant women, new mothers, and children under the age of five eat well and stay healthy.
You may be eligible for WIC if you live in Illinois and you are expecting, breastfeeding, or have recently given birth up to six months ago; or if you are a parent or guardian with a child under the age of 5.
Why Choose VNA?
At VNA, families will receive the highest standard of care. The United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service (USDA – FNS) recently awarded VNA Health Care with the WIC Breastfeeding Gold Award of Excellence. Agencies that receive the gold award demonstrate excellence in breastfeeding practices and support. VNA is one of only four Illinois clinics that earned this recognition in 2023.
Nutrition Support and Services
Our WIC nutritionists and dietitians will regularly meet with you to check on how your child is growing and learning, to make sure they are developing well. The WIC program can link you up with helpful services, like healthcare or parenting support.WIC EBT Card
You will be given a list of foods to buy (and where to find them) that are good for you and your child’s health along with a WIC EBT card that you can use to buy healthy foods at select stores.Baby Formula and Baby Foods
If breastfeeding is not an option, you will be provided an iron-fortified formula. As your baby grows, you can also get baby foods and plain cereals.For Children Aged 1-5
Children in this age group are eligible for a range of nutritious foods. They can get milk, yogurt, juice, cereals, eggs, peanut butter, dried or canned beans, whole grains, and a variety of fruits and vegetables.For Breastfeeding Mothers
Mothers who breastfeed receive additional foods to support their health, including a range of dairy products, cereals, eggs, and protein options like peanut butter, dried beans, and fish (tuna or salmon) if they are exclusively breastfeeding.If you have a question about the WIC program that is not covered in this page, feel free to reach out to the VNA Health Care team. We are happy to help you understand the benefits available through the program and check your eligibility.
In Illinois, WIC benefits include:
- Providing education on selecting and preparing healthy foods that are suitable for babies, toddlers, and mothers.
- Making referrals for prenatal and pediatric care, vaccinations, and dental services.
- Offering breastfeeding classes, personal consultations with lactation experts, and supplies like breast pumps at no cost to support your journey as a new mother.
- Screening for the health, growth, and development of your child and addressing any nutritional risks.
Setting your child up for lifelong success by making sure their basic needs are met. - Supporting families during pregnancy, postpartum, and throughout the early years of a child’s life.
To participate you must be a resident of Illinois and you must be considered at a “nutritional risk” due to a medical or dietary condition. During your WIC appointment, you will receive a nutrition and health assessment to determine your needs as part of the certification process.
You must also belong to any of these groups for WIC to sign up:
- Pregnant women (during pregnancy and up to six weeks after birth or after the pregnancy ends).
- Breastfeeding women (up to the infant’s first birthday).
- Non-breastfeeding postpartum women (up to six months after the birth of an infant or after the pregnancy ends).
You have an infant (up to their first birthday). - You are a parent, guardian, or foster parent of a child under the age of 5.
- Applicants must also meet the household income criteria: income at or below 185% of the US Poverty Income Guidelines.
- If you or your child are already receiving benefits from Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), then you automatically meet the income eligibility criteria for WIC.
The Electronic Benefits Transfer card (EBT) is the card you use to buy healthy foods through the WIC program. You get the EBT card once your WIC application has been approved. The EBT card works just like a debit card. You can use it at participating grocery stores and markets. When shopping, you select WIC-approved food items, which are specified by the program based on your unique nutritional needs.