Illinois WIC Income Limits
Updated September 2026
To qualify for WIC in Illinois, your household's income needs to fall at or below the limits shown below — or you may qualify automatically if you're already enrolled in a program like Medicaid or SNAP. See "Automatic Income Eligibility" below for the Illinois-specific programs that qualify you without extra paperwork.
Quick Answer
To qualify for Illinois WIC, your household's gross income must fall at or below 185% of the federal poverty guidelines — or you qualify automatically if you're already enrolled in Medicaid, SNAP, or TANF. See the table below for exact limits by household size, effective July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027.
Illinois WIC Income Guidelines
WIC compares your household's gross income against 185% of the federal poverty guidelines, updated annually by the USDA. These guidelines apply in Illinois from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027.
| Household Size | Annual | Monthly | Twice-Monthly | Bi-Weekly | Weekly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $29,526 | $2,461 | $1,231 | $1,136 | $568 |
| 2 | $40,034 | $3,337 | $1,669 | $1,540 | $770 |
| 3 | $50,542 | $4,212 | $2,106 | $1,944 | $972 |
| 4 | $61,050 | $5,088 | $2,544 | $2,349 | $1,175 |
| 5 | $71,558 | $5,964 | $2,982 | $2,753 | $1,377 |
| 6 | $82,066 | $6,839 | $3,420 | $3,157 | $1,579 |
| 7 | $92,574 | $7,715 | $3,858 | $3,561 | $1,781 |
| 8 | $103,082 | $8,591 | $4,296 | $3,965 | $1,983 |
| Each additional member | +$10,508 | +$876 | +$438 | +$405 | +$203 |
Household of 1
- Annual
- $29,526
- Monthly
- $2,461
- Twice-Monthly
- $1,231
- Bi-Weekly
- $1,136
- Weekly
- $568
Household of 2
- Annual
- $40,034
- Monthly
- $3,337
- Twice-Monthly
- $1,669
- Bi-Weekly
- $1,540
- Weekly
- $770
Household of 3
- Annual
- $50,542
- Monthly
- $4,212
- Twice-Monthly
- $2,106
- Bi-Weekly
- $1,944
- Weekly
- $972
Household of 4
- Annual
- $61,050
- Monthly
- $5,088
- Twice-Monthly
- $2,544
- Bi-Weekly
- $2,349
- Weekly
- $1,175
Household of 5
- Annual
- $71,558
- Monthly
- $5,964
- Twice-Monthly
- $2,982
- Bi-Weekly
- $2,753
- Weekly
- $1,377
Household of 6
- Annual
- $82,066
- Monthly
- $6,839
- Twice-Monthly
- $3,420
- Bi-Weekly
- $3,157
- Weekly
- $1,579
Household of 7
- Annual
- $92,574
- Monthly
- $7,715
- Twice-Monthly
- $3,858
- Bi-Weekly
- $3,561
- Weekly
- $1,781
Household of 8
- Annual
- $103,082
- Monthly
- $8,591
- Twice-Monthly
- $4,296
- Bi-Weekly
- $3,965
- Weekly
- $1,983
Each Additional Member
- Annual
- +$10,508
- Monthly
- +$876
- Twice-Monthly
- +$438
- Bi-Weekly
- +$405
- Weekly
- +$203
Source: USDA Food and Nutrition Administration
Automatic Income Eligibility in Illinois
If anyone in your household already participates in Medicaid, SNAP, or TANF, you automatically meet WIC's income requirement in Illinois. Bring your Medicaid card, SNAP notice, or TANF documentation to your appointment instead of pay stubs, and your application can move faster.
What Counts as Income in Illinois
Illinois WIC counts gross household income before taxes — wages, self-employment earnings, Social Security, disability payments, child support, unemployment benefits, workers' compensation, and pension income. Housing assistance and tax refunds are not counted. A pregnant woman counts as two or more household members, since each unborn child adds one to the household size used to calculate eligibility.
Income Is Not the Only Requirement
Meeting the income guideline is one part of qualifying — Illinois WIC also requires a nutritional risk determination made by a WIC health professional at your free certification appointment, which nearly all applicants meet in some form. You can get an early read on eligibility using the Pre-Screening Tool at dhs.state.il.us before contacting a local clinic.
Illinois Income Limit Questions
Do I automatically qualify for WIC if I receive Medicaid or SNAP in Illinois?
Yes. If anyone in your household participates in Medicaid, SNAP, or TANF, you automatically meet WIC's income requirement in Illinois — just bring documentation of that enrollment to your appointment instead of pay stubs.
Does my unborn baby count as a household member for Illinois WIC?
Yes. A pregnant woman counts as two or more household members when Illinois WIC calculates household size — each unborn baby adds one person, which can move you into a more favorable income bracket.
What if my household's income is slightly above the Illinois WIC limit?
It's still worth applying. Eligibility can be based on a recent pay period rather than a full year, and factors like household size or a new pregnancy can change your standing.
Is meeting the income limit enough to qualify for WIC in Illinois?
No. Income eligibility is one requirement — Illinois WIC also requires a nutritional risk determination made by a WIC health professional at your free certification appointment.
Compare Other States
WIC income limits are set state by state. These share Illinois's census region — useful if you're moving, or comparing how another state runs the same program.
Helpful Guides
What Is WIC?
An overview of the WIC program, who administers it, and how it works.
Learn more →WIC Eligibility
The four requirements to qualify for WIC — categorical status, income, nutritional risk, and residency.
Learn more →WIC vs SNAP
Compare who qualifies, what benefits are provided, and whether you can receive both programs.
Learn more →WIC Income Limits
See the current household income limits to qualify for WIC, and what counts as income.
Learn more →WIC Benefit Amounts
The exact dollar and quantity breakdown of the monthly WIC food package by participant category.
Learn more →WIC EBT Card
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Learn more →WIC Approved Foods
Browse WIC-covered foods by category, from milk and eggs to fruits, vegetables, and formula.
Learn more →Find a WIC Clinic
Search WIC clinic locations by state and city, with addresses and phone numbers.
Learn more →WIC Recertification
When your WIC certification expires, what to bring to your renewal appointment, and how to avoid a gap in benefits.
Learn more →