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Illinois WIC: 2026–27 Income Limits and Moving In or Out

Moving TO Illinois

Moving to Illinois with WIC? Bring a Verification of Certification (VOC) from your old clinic and Illinois Department of Human Services must honor it — you keep your certification without a new income screening until the period ends, and if the clinic has a waiting list, you go to the top of it.

Leaving Illinois

Before leaving Illinois, ask your WIC clinic for a Verification of Certification (VOC). Every other state is federally required to accept it, so your certification continues after the move.

Official agency: Illinois Department of Human Services ↗ (application page)

Illinois WIC at a glance

Program nameIllinois WIC
Income limit185% of the federal poverty level (the federal maximum); met automatically if you get SNAP, Medicaid, or TANF
Accepts VOC transfer cardYes (federally required)
ProcessingWIC eligibility is normally decided at the clinic appointment itself; federal rules require notification within 20 days of the request (10 days for pregnant women and migrant households).

Illinois WIC income limits by household size (2026–27)

Illinois uses the federal maximum WIC income limit, 185% of the federal poverty level. These figures apply July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027.

Household sizeYearlyMonthlyWeekly
1 person$29,526$2,461$568
2 people$40,034$3,337$770
3 people$50,542$4,212$972
4 people$61,050$5,088$1,175
5 people$71,558$5,964$1,377
6 people$82,066$6,839$1,579
7 people$92,574$7,715$1,781
8 people$103,082$8,591$1,983
Each additional person+$10,508+$876+$203

Federal source: USDA WIC Income Eligibility Guidelines 2026–27 (91 FR 23050) (published 2026-04-29)

How to apply for WIC in Illinois

Apply with Illinois Department of Human Services online at dhs.state.il.us. Go to the official application page ↗

Processing time: WIC eligibility is normally decided at the clinic appointment itself; federal rules require notification within 20 days of the request (10 days for pregnant women and migrant households).

Moving with more than one benefit? The relocation checklist orders every step for your move.

Common questions

What is the WIC income limit in Illinois?

185% of the federal poverty level: $40,034 a year for a household of two and $61,050 for a household of four, for July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027. You also meet the income test automatically if you get SNAP, Medicaid, or TANF, if your family gets TANF, or if a pregnant woman or infant in your family gets Medicaid.

Does my Illinois WIC card work in another state?

Generally no — a WIC card works only at stores authorized by the state that issued it. Before you leave Illinois, get a Verification of Certification (VOC) from your clinic; the new state's WIC clinic must accept it and enroll you there.

How do I apply for WIC in Illinois?

Apply with Illinois Department of Human Services online at dhs.state.il.us. Processing time: WIC eligibility is normally decided at the clinic appointment itself; federal rules require notification within 20 days of the request (10 days for pregnant women and migrant households).

Who runs WIC in Illinois?

Illinois Department of Human Services. The official page and application link are cited below — always act through them.

Does Illinois make new residents wait for WIC?

No state may impose a residency waiting period for WIC. You apply as soon as you live in Illinois; eligibility is decided on Illinois's own rules.

Where do I report that I'm leaving Illinois?

Before you leave Illinois, ask your local WIC clinic for a Verification of Certification (VOC) card for each enrolled family member — every state must accept a valid VOC (7 CFR 246.7), so your certification moves with you. Illinois maintains a dedicated VOC line at the state WIC office: (217) 782-2166.

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Terms on this page: Federal poverty level (FPL) · Verification of Certification (VOC) · Certification period

Official sources

Every fact above was checked against these official pages. Last verified .

Written by Benefits Transfer Editorial Team

Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor

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