WIC / Nutriction

Who is Eligible for WIC?
To be eligible for WIC benefits, a person must meet the following requirements:

  • be a pregnant, breastfeeding, or new mother;
  • be an infant up to age one, or be a child up to age 5;
  • be a resident of Illinois;
  • be income eligible;
  • have a health or nutrition need.

WIC Income Guidelines

WIC income eligibility is based on 185% of US Department of Health and Human Services poverty guidelines.

  • The WIC Program uses the same gross income criteria as free and reduced-price school lunches.
  • Many working families qualify.
  • Individuals who participate in other programs such as Medicaid, Food Stamps, and TANF may automatically be income eligible.

WIC staff will determine income eligibility during your appointment.

Click here for the latest Illinois WIC Income Eligibility Guidelines
DHS Info

What Happens At A Clinic Visit?

The following information is required to be reviewed at the appointment:

  • Proof of ID – Drivers License
  • Birth certificates or hospital footprints for infants and/or children
  • Proof of income – two recent wage stubs, Public Aid Card, Income Tax
  • Proof of address – rent receipt, utility bill, etc.

The above information is reviewed, along with the participant’s health history. A health screening is performed on each participant. From there, information is plotted on growth charts and evaluated individually to determine WIC eligibility. Participants are then counseled by a health professional. Eating habits are discussed and food histories are evaluated. At that time, each participant is informed of their eligibility and WIC Program responsibilities.

Benefits Received by WIC Participants

All participants receive:

  • Screening for nutrition and health needs.
  • Information on how to use WIC foods to improve health.
  • Coupons to buy foods that help keep you and your children healthy and strong.
  • Referrals to doctors, dentists, and programs like Food Stamps, Healthy Start and Head Start.
  • WIC foods.
  • Information on healthy eating during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
  • Breastfeeding support or infant formula.
  • Immunization referrals.
  • Parents/caregivers receive information on taking care of babies.

Nutrition – Breastfeeding Support

Clients receive encouragement and instruction in breastfeeding. In many cases, breastfeeding women are provided breast pumps free of charge. WIC helps clients learn why breastfeeding is the best start for their baby, how to breastfeed while still working, Dad’s role in supporting breastfeeding, tips for teens who breastfeed, how to pump and store breast milk, and much more.

Nutrition Education

Clients receive individual nutrition counseling and nutrition classes. Many clinics offer classes, especially for children. Men who have family members participating in the program are welcome to attend nutrition classes.

Nutritious Foods

WIC provides coupons each month which are taken to grocery stores and used to buy nutritious foods. WIC foods include iron-fortified infant formula and infant cereal, iron-fortified adult cereal, vitamin C–rich fruit and vegetable juice, milk, eggs, cheese, beans, and peanut butter. Different food packages are issued to different clients. For example, mothers who are totally breastfeeding their babies without formula are issued tuna and carrots in addition to other foods.

Some Of The Topics Clients Can Learn About:

  • Eating healthfully during pregnancy for mom and baby
  • Infant and child nutrition — healthy foods for happy children, picky eaters, watching your child’s weight, and lots more
  • How to get the most out of their food dollars
  • The importance of childhood immunizations
  • Tips for pregnant teens
  • Common infant problems, such as colic, constipation, and crying

Where Can I Apply
East Side Health District Offers WIC at 3 different locations. Please call the nearest location for an appointment.

East Side Health District-East St. Louis
638 N 20th Street
East St. Louis, IL 62205
618-874-4713
Fax: 618-874-4737
Open Mon-Fri 8:00 am – 4:30 pm

East Side Health District- Cahokia
1274 Camp Jackson Road (Novo Plaza)
Cahokia, IL 62206
618-337-4178
Fax: 618-337-1902
Open Mon-Fri 8:00 am – 4:30 pm

East Side Health District- Fairmont City
2568 N 41st Street
Fairmont City, IL 62201
618-271-7550
Fax: 618-271-2750
Open Wed – Fri 8:00 am – 4:30 pm

Nondiscrimination Statement

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

  1. Mail:
    U.S. Department of Agriculture
    Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
    1400 Independence Avenue, SW
    Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
  2. Fax:
    (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
  3. Email:
    program.intake@usda.gov
    This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

For more information on Nutrition please visit:
WIC Health | www.wichealth.org
USDA – Food and Nutrition Information Center | http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/
WIC Works | http://www.nal.usda.gov/wicworks/
USDA Food Safety | http://foodsafety.nal.usda.gov/
Nutrition for Kids | http://www.nutritionforkids.com/
Eat Right | http://www.eatright.org/

Main Address
650 N 20th Street
East St. Louis, IL 62205
Directions

Phone
618-271-8722

Hours
Monday – Friday
8 am to 4 pm

Clinic Address
638 N 20th Street
East St. Louis, IL 62205
Directions

Phone
618-271-8722

Hours
Monday – Friday
8 am to 4 pm

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